MATH 191AN

Special Topics: Math Review

M, T, W, TH: 4:00 to 6:50pm

Dec. 1, 2008 through Dec. 11th, 2008

Room:                         Math Center within A201      2 UNITS

Instructor:                   Larry Green                 and                    Cindy Littell

Phone Number:          541-4660 Extension 341                      voicemail: Extension 447

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

Class webpage to log in:  http://www.coursecompass.com

The Course ID:  Is required for the online software.

If you assessed into Basic Math (MAT187A or MAT187B) you may want to start with the Math191AN-AB, course id number littell49016. This is fractions and real numbers with just a bit of algebra and is designed to mimic the content of the two six week courses MAT187A/B and prepare you to do well in MAT152A this fall.

If you assessed into Basic Algebra (MAT152A) you may want to start with Math191AN, course id number littell27696. This covers fractions, real numbers and their properties, graphing lines, and polynomials and exponents, and is designed to cover the content of MAT152A and prepare you for MAT152B this fall.

If you assessed into Basic Algebra, Part II (MAT152B) you may want to start with MAT191AN-2, course id number littell95487. This covers polynomials, rational equations, irrational numbers and the imaginary number, up to the quadratic formula and is designed to cover the content of MAT152B and prepare you to do well in MAT154 this fall.

If you assessed into Intermediate Algebra (MAT154) you may want to just do MAT191AN-4, course id number littell12371. This covers graphing functions, logarithm and exponential functions, series and sequences, and is designed to cover the content of MAT154 and prepare you for MAT103A or MAT201 this fall…these are the first transferrable math classes

Required Text: Beginning and Intermediate Algebra Fourth Edition by Elayn Martin-Gay…it is not really the text but a text and the software or the software alone, the website needs a choice of text.

Textbook Information:  It is required to have the software for this class.  Students have two choices.  The first is to purchase the textbook from the bookstore.  The textbook comes with the software.  The second choice is to purchase the software from the bookstore.  The software comes with the textbook online.  This is a more economically reasonable choice, but is only recommended to students who have online access and feel comfortable reading a computer screen instead of a traditional book.  Purchasing the textbook used without buying the software is not a possible choice for this class.

Course description   This course is designed for students who need a condensed review of the topics in Basic Arithmetic and Basic Algebra. Students should have already earned a “C” or better in both Math 187 A/B (Basic Arithmetic) and Math 152A (Basic Algebra) in either high school or college.

Course Objectives: The successful student will

  1. Demonstrate correct use of operations of decimals and fractions
  2. Solve first-degree algebraic equations
  3. Demonstrate use of percents and basic operations with real numbers
  4. Graph linear equations and inequalities
  5. Write equations of first-degree equations in two variables

Prerequisite: none

Grading Policy: This class is a credit/no credit class.  To pass this class you must complete all of the homework assignments with at least a 75% and all of the quizzes with at least an 80% for any one of the courses.

Homework Policy:  Homework is done online and is a prerequisite for the quizzes.  You will be using the MyMathLab website to work on your homework.  Feel free to consult a fellow classmate, a tutor, your instructor, or anyone else for assistance on the homework.

Quizzes:  You will take MyMathLab quizzes online. Before you take the quiz, make sure that you have done the guided exercises, looked at the video, followed each link for the week, and received assistance from your instructor on any difficult topics.  Please ask for help if you need it.  If you do not take a quiz, a zero will be recorded for that grade.

Communication Policy:  All students are encouraged to attend every mini-lecture every night.  Every student is to communicate with the instructor by coming to class, sending an e-mail, or calling on the phone at least once per quiz.  Your instructor will usually respond to your e-mails within 24 hours.

 

Registration

In this class, it is your responsibility to drop the class in order to avoid an unwanted grade. You must go to the Admissions and Records Office by the appropriate dates to avoid the unwanted grade.

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

Tutoring:  Tutors are available in the Math Center with the possible exception of the 11th.

Calculators: Calculators are available on the class software, but remember that they are not allowed for the assessment test or for the MAT152A/B classes.

SCHEDULE OF TOPICS …

Each course section has its own schedule of topics. The assignments and quizzes are all designed to be progressive. Start with the first homework assignment, do the quizzes directly following the sections they relate to, and make sure to finish the last quiz by December 14th so I can post grades on the 15th.

HOW TO SUCCEED IN A MATH CLASS

  • Come to every day

·         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.