MATH 152A

Basic Algebra (Part I Computer Mediated)

Tuesday and Thursday  10:00 to 11:50 AM

Room D 123      4 UNITS

Instructor Larry Green

Phone Number Office: 541-4660 Extension 341

e-mail:...greenl@ltcc.edu

Your Grades

 

Web Page: http://www.ltcconline.net/greenl/courses/152a/152a.htm

Required Text Interactive Mathematics Elementary Algebra by Plato Learning

Important Information  The textbook contains  CDs  wrapped in cellophane.  You must buy your book at the LTCC bookstore.  Do not buy a book NOT wrapped in cellophane.  Do NOT open the cellophane covering the book until after you have verified with your instructor that you are in the correct course.  Once the package is opened, you may NOT return the book to the bookstore.  The price of the book includes the cost of your license for using the computer software.  The cellophane has at least one sticker on it.  The sticker/cellophane on the book is your proof of purchasing the software license.  You must save the cellophane wrapping with the sticker, and turn it in to your instructor.

Course description This course will study the basic concepts of algebra. Topics include the real numbers their properties, solving linear equations and inequalities, the four basic operations with polynomials, graphing linear functions and inequalities in two variables, properties of exponents and introduction to functions.

Course Objectives  The successful student will

  1. exhibit a proficiency in the topics covered in the course;
  2. engage in logical and critical thinking;
  3. read technical information; and 
  4. demonstrate the solution to problems by translating written language into mathematical statements, interpreting information, sketching relevant diagrams, analyzing given information, formulating appropriate mathematical statements, and checking and verifying results

Prerequisite MAT187B with a grade of "C" or better or equivalent or appropriate skills demonstrated through the math assessment process

Grading Policy Your letter grade will be based on your percentage of possible points.

A 90 -- 100% C 70 -- 79%

B 80 -- 89% D 60 -- 69%

Homework: ............................................................…150 points

Quizzes:  .....................................................................150 points

Exam 1: Jan 31   (E1B, 1.1, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2,3).............150 points

Exam 2: March 7   (2.4, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3).....250 points

Final Exam: March 21, 11:00 to 12:50 PM…...........…300 points

 

Exam Policy Students are to bring pencils or pens, and paper to each exam. Exams will be traditional paper and pencil exams.  Grading will based on the progress towards the final answer, and the demonstration of understanding of the concept that is being tested, therefore, work must be shown in detail. Any student who cannot make it to an exam may elect to take the exam up to two days before the exam is scheduled.  Without a proven medical excuse, a 10% per day penalty will be given for each day the exam is taken late.  

 

Homework Policy  Homework is due either at the end of class or by 4:30 PM in my office.  Feel free to consult a fellow classmate, a tutor, your instructor, or anyone else for assistance on the homework.   Homework that is turned in within one week of the due date will be counted as half credit. Homework may be turned later than one week after the due date, but points will not be awarded.

Quizzes:  You will have one quiz grade for each lesson in the Academic Systems software.  If your Overview Module pretest score is 95% or more, the computer will ask you if you want to use that grade as your quiz grade for the Evaluate Module.  If you want to keep that grade as your Evaluate quiz score, be sure to answer "Yes".  If your Overview Module pretest score is less than 95%, you may complete the lesson (in the Explain Module on the computer) as well as the practice test (in your book for the lesson.  You may also complete the practice problems (in the Apply and Explore Modules on the computer).  Then complete the assigned homework problems and take the quiz in the evaluate Module on the computer.  You may take the Evaluate quiz as many times as you want.  Only the highest score achieved by the due date will be counted.  Each Overview pretest may be taken only once.  You should not move on to the next lesson until you have scored at least 80% correct on the Evaluate quiz.  Please ask for help if you need it.  If you do not take a quiz, a zero will be recorded for that grade.  Quizzes must be completed by midnight on the day that the corresponding homework it due.

Communication Policy  All students are encouraged to attend every class meeting.  Every student is to communicate with the instructor two different days each week either by coming to class or office hours, sending an e-mail, or calling on the phone.  25 points will be deducted for each failure to communicate.

 

Registration

1. You may drop the class with no penalty or mark on your record on or before Friday, January 30.

2. After January 30, you may drop the class and receive a grade of W until Friday, March 5.

3. After March 5, if you are enrolled, you will receive one of the following grades:  A,B,C,D,F or I (Incomplete, must be negotiated with the instructor and is only allowed in special cases).

In this class, it is your responsibility to drop the class in order to avoid an unwanted grade. You must go to the registrar by the above dates to avoid the unwanted grade.

 

OFFICE HOURS:

Monday  ............................  9:30 to 10:30 AM            A210

Tuesday..........................      9:05 to 10:00 AM            GMC

Wednesday ....................      9:05 to 10:05 AM            GMC

Thursday........................       12:00 to 1:05 PM            A210

Friday........................            11:00 to 12:00                 A210

Learning Disabilities If you have a learning disability, be sure to discuss it with Larry. Learning disabilities will be accommodated.

Tutoring  Tutors are available at no cost in G4 (The Gateway Math Center).  

 

CALCULATORS: Calculators are not permitted on any of the exams.

Academic Systems Software:  The software for the course is divided into topics.  Each topic is divided into lessons.  Within each lesson are some or all of the following six modules:

OVERVIEW:

  • Brief summary of prerequisite skills for the lesson
  • Pretest (may only be taken once)

EXPLAIN:

  • Mathematics instruction
  • Check for understanding problems with feedback
  • Help line:  Red Phone icon gives hints or simplified explanation
  • Take a closer look: Magnifying glass icon gives detailed explanations
  • Glossary Words:  Click on any underlined word for the on-line definition

APPLY:

  • Practice problems to apply the skills learned in Explain
  • Link to Explain:  Icon with Sun (like Explain) will link to Apply back to Explain information related to the problem
  • Explanation of the Expression Editor, if needed

EXPLORE:

  • Optional module available with some lessons
  • More challenging problems to explore and discover mathematics

EVALUATE:

  • Quiz for the lesson (up to three versions may be taken for each lesson)
  • Homework and practice test in the book should be completed before entering this module
  • Up to three attempts are allowed on the quiz; highest grade is recorded

HOMEWORK:

  • Automatically shown when you quit a lesson (Instead of this, please do the homework problems indicated in the list provided by your instructor below).

Managing Your Time on the Computer

To make the best use of your time on the computer, you may use the following guidelines:

  1. If you have prior knowledge of the material in a lesson, take the practice test in your book.  If this test is fairly easy for you, complete the pretest in Overview on the computer.
  2. If you have difficulty with the practice test or if much of the material is new or problematic, begin with the explain and apply modules on the computer.  Do your homework.  Then use the practice test in the book and the overview pretest on the computer to prepare for the evaluate quiz on the computer.

 

SCHEDULE

The homework assignment for each section will consist of the Explain and Apply and Explore (if applicable) every third problem beginning at problem 1 (1, 4, 7, 10, etc.)  or every fifth problem(1,6,11,16, etc.) as indicated and every problem from the practice test.

1-5      Overview
              E1B        Signed Numbers    (Every third)

1-12      1.1          The Real Numbers    (Every third)
              1.3          Arithmetic of Numbers    (Every third)

1-19      2.1        Algebraic Expressions    (Every third)
              2.2        Solving Linear Equations    (Every third)

1-26      2.3         Problem Solving    (Every fifth)

2-2        2.4        Linear Inequalities    (Every third)
              3.1        Introduction to Graphing    (Every third but no distance formula problems)

2-9        4.1        Graphing Equations    (Every fifth)
              4.2        The Equation of a Line    (Every fifth)

2-16       4.3        Graphing Inequalities    (Every third)
               6.1        Exponents    (Every third)

2-23       6.2        Polynomial Operations I    (Every third)

3-2         6.3        Polynomial Operations II    (Every third)

3-9         Absolute Values  (assignment to be discussed in class)

3-16       Functions    (assignment to be discussed in class)

3-21        Comprehensive Final Exam 11:00 - 12:50  (Note Time)

 

HOW TO SUCCEED IN A MATH CLASS

  • Come to every week

  • Arrive early, get yourself settled, and have you materials ready when class starts.

  • Read each section before it is discussed in class.

  • Do some math every day.

  • Start preparing for the tests at least a week in advance.

  • Spend about half of your study time working with your classmates.

  • Take advantage of tutors and office hours, extra help can make a big difference.

Good Reasons for Taking a Computer Mediated Course

  1. I have difficulty learning in a traditional lecture format class.
  2. I learn well when I can use a computer.
  3. I often need the instructor to slow down and repeat what was said.
  4. Math lectures rarely move at a pace that is appropriate for me.
  5. I learn well with any format, but the computer mediated course will fit my difficult work schedule.

Bad Reasons for Taking a Computer Mediated Course

  1. Most of my learning occurs during lecture, but this was the only course that fit my schedule.
  2. I do not know how to use a computer and thought that this would teach me computer skills.
  3. I heard that I do not have to work as hard in this section.
  4. The computer will do the work for me so that I do not have to learn the math.
  5. I do not want to take pencil and paper exams.

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