Trouble Taking Tests Or Doing Homework

Getting Started

Here's what you need to do to get started with this class. 1.) Read the syllabus and all other items posted in "Course Information".

2.) Submit your contact information (Name, preferred email address, and at least one phone # where you may be reached) by email to me at: [email protected]

3.) Purchase your textbook and software package at the Ivy Tech bookstore, if you haven't done so already.

4.) Register at the CourseCompass site, and install plug-ins if necessary.

5.) OUR COURSE CODE IS: ledsome71009

6.) By the way, while the MyMathLab site can be used as an entry point, it'll just link you to the REAL site, which is CourseCompass. Just use the CourseCompass site as your entry point to the software. For your convenience, here's the login link (use ONLY once you've registered!): http://www.coursecompass.com/webapps/cclogin/process.do?type=ssologinpage&new_loc= %2Fwebapps%2Fportal%2Fframeset.jsp

It would be a good idea to put a shortcut to this URL on your desktop, or at least put it in "Favorites".

You're ready to go!!

Trouble Doing Tests or Homework Online

Some people find that they are not able to take the online tests or do homework at CourseCompass. When they click on "Take Test" or "Do Study Plan" they get a blank part of the screen where the test problems should be. Here's the solution: install (or re-install) the "MathXL Player" plugin. To do this, go to CourseCompass and log in. Under "Announcements", you'll see a link to the Installation Wizard. Click on that, then click on "Detect MathXL Player". It'll detect and install the latest player.

Syllabus

Course Title: Intermediate Algebra Course number: MAT111 Section: 11 Semester: Fall 2005

Instructor: Professor D. Ledsome, M.A. Office: Rm. 2210, South Bend Campus Telephone: (888) 489-3478 ext 5416 Email: [email protected] Office Hours: TBA

Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT 050 - Basic Algebra or demonstrated competency through appropriate assessment (elementary algebra section ASSET 40+), (algebra section COMPASS 41- 65). Program: General Education Division: General Education and Support Services

Credit Hours: 3 Contact Hours: Internet (varies)

Method of Delivery: Internet.

Text: K. Elayn Martin-Gay, Intermediate Algebra 4th Ed., Pearson Education, 2005

Supplemental Materials: MyMathLab/CourseCompass software; a scientific or graphing calculator for use on homework and tests.

Catalog Description: Reviews basic operations of polynomials, scientific notation, linear equations and inequalities, graphing linear equations, and factoring algebraic expressions. Concentrates on properties of integer and rational exponents and equations, systems of linear equations, radicals, radical equations, quadratic equations, functions and their graphs, and applications. A standard college level intermediate algebra course.

General Course Objectives: Upon successful completion of this course the student will be expected to:

1. Perform basic operations on polynomials and factor polynomials. 2. Use the properties of integer and rational exponents and scientific notation. 3. Solve linear equations and inequalities. 4. Graph linear equations and inequalities in two variables. 5. Determine linear equations from geometric data. 6. Solve systems of equations using graphing, substitution, and addition/elimination. 7. Solve quadratic equations by factoring and by the quadratic formula. 8. Graph quadratic functions. 9. Simplify rational expressions and solve rational equations. 10. Solve literal equations. 11. Simplify radicals and solve radical equations. 12. Interpret functions algebraically, graphically, and numerically and use function notation. 13. Use relevant mathematical terminology, laws, and notation. 14. Solve a variety of application problems in the above areas. 15. Use a scientific and/or graphing calculator proficiently as related to coursework. 16. Use computer technology which may include the Internet, the Web, email, or computer tutorials to enhance the course objectives.

Course Content: " Polynomial operations " Scientific notation " Linear equations and inequalities " Graphs of linear equations and inequalities " Factoring " Integer and rational exponents " Rational expressions and equations " Systems of linear equations " Radicals and radical equations " Quadratic equations " Functions and their graphs " Applications

Midterm/Final: There will be only two written tests during the semester, a Midterm Exam and a CUMULATIVE Final Exam. When you are ready to take the Midterm or the Final, let me know, let Amy Pawlosky know, AND SCHEDULE A TIME TO TAKE IT WITH YOUR SITE COORDINATOR (not me!) The Midterm and Final may be taken here in South Bend or at another Ivy Tech campus, but they should be taken at an Ivy Tech site, under proctored conditions. PAY ATTENTION to the dates listed in the Course Outline for when these should be taken. You are, of course, free to take them EARLY if you complete the work and are ready to do so.

CourseCompass online tests: you will be required to complete an online Chapter Test at the end of each chapter we do. This work will be "graded" by the software, and I will be able to retrieve the results whenever I like. These online tests will account for 35% of your course grade.

Grading: The grade awarded for MAT 111 will be determined as follows:

Online work: 35% of grade Attendance/Contact: 5% of grade Midterm and Final Exam: 60% of grade (30% each)

Grading Scale: 90-100% A; 80-89% B; 70-79% C; 60-69% D; 0-59% F

Attendance/Contact Policy: In the first week, you MUST send me an email at [email protected], listing your contact information (name, contact phone #, preferred email address). Then, each week thereafter, you must make one post in the Discussion Board for this course in ELearning (NOT on the CourseCompass site), in a "Check-In" section set aside for that purpose. If I don't see a post from you, you will be marked "absent" for that week.

Make-up Policy: Since the Midterm and Final are given by appointment, there should be no need for makeups.

Homework: Besides the practice problems you can generate using the software, you might wish to also do problems from the book. I'll also be providing you with a list of "Suggested Assignments" which are in the book. This will be the same list that I give my live-lecture sections. You may or may not not do many of these problems-- if you use the software properly, you may not need to-- but I'll provide it to you for your reference.

"Extra Credit": Your grade is determined entirely on the basis of the Midterm and Final, your online tests, and the attendance/contact. There is no "extra credit" you can do.

ADA Statement: Ivy Tech State College seeks to provide effective services and accommodations for qualified individuals with documented disabilities. If you need an accommodation because of a documented disability, you are required to register with Disability Support Services at the beginning of the semester. In South Bend, call Cathy Cassady, 219-289-7001, ext 5340. Her office is in 1213 (in the Learning Lab) on the South Bend campus. If you are in a different Ivy Tech region, contact your local campus and ask for their Disability Support coordinator.

Academic Honesty Statement: Cheating on papers, tests or other academic works is a violation of College rules. No student shall engage in behavior that, in the judgment of the instructor of the class, may be construed as cheating. This may include, but is not limited to, plagiarism or other forms of academic dishonesty such as the acquisition without permission of tests or other academic materials and/or distribution of these materials and other academic work. This includes students who aid and abet as well as those who attempt such behavior.

In particular, having someone else do your online work for you, or having someone else take (or attempt to take) the Midterm or Final Exam for you, constitutes cheating. You WILL be required to furnish proof of identity when you come in to take the Midterm and the Final.

Ivy Tech State College Virtual Library: For students on- and off-campus,the Virtual Library offers fulltext journals, books, and other resources essential for completing course assignments. Go to http://www.ivytech.edu/library and choose the Virtual Library link for your campus. General Education Outcomes: Ivy Tech State College is committed to graduating students who have the appropriate technical and general education skills. General Education skills are assessed in selected courses through an authentic assessment project to evaluate curriculum effectiveness.

Course Outline: Posted under "Weekly Course Timeline"

Note: The instructor reserves the right to alter the type and sequence of activities scheduled for this course.

Weekly Course Timeline

Week 1: Do Chapter 1, Real Numbers and Algebraic Expressions (all sections). By the end of this week you should have finished the chapter. TAKE ONLINE CHAPTER TEST BY THE END OF THE WEEK.

Week 2: Start Chapter 2, Equations, Inequalities, and Problem Solving (all sections EXCEPT 2.6, 2.7). By the end of this week you should have finished 2.2 at least.

Week 3: Finish Chapter 2. TAKE ONLINE CHAPTER TEST BY THE END OF THE WEEK.

Week 4: Start Chapter 3, Graphs and Functions (all sections). By the end of this week you should have finished 3.2 at least.

Week 5: Continue Chapter 3. By the end of this week you should have finished 3.5 at least.

Week 6: Finish Chapter 3. TAKE ONLINE CHAPTER TEST BY THE END OF THE WEEK.

Week 7: Start Chapter 4, Systems of Equations (sections 4.1, 4.3 ONLY). By the end of this week you should have finished the chapter. TAKE ONLINE CHAPTER TEST BY THE END OF THIS WEEK.

Week 8: Review for Midterm Exam. TAKE MIDTERM EXAM OVER CHAPTERS 1-4 BY THE END OF THIS WEEK.

Week 9: Start Chapter 5, Exponents, Polynomials, and Rational Expressions (all sections). By the end of this week you should have finished 5.4 at least.

Week 10: Finish Chapter 5. TAKE ONLINE CHAPTER TEST BY THE END OF THIS WEEK.

Week 11: Start Chapter 6, Rational Expressions (sections 6.1, 6.2, 6.6 ONLY). By the end of this week you should have finished 6.2 at least.

Week 13: Start Chapter 7, Rational Exponents, Radicals, and Complex Numbers (all sections). By the end of this week you should have finished 7.4 at least.

Week 15: Do Chapter 8, Quadratic Equations and Functions (sections 8.1, 8.2 ONLY). By the end of this week you should have finished the chapter. TAKE ONLINE CHAPTER TEST BY THE END OF THE WEEK.

Week 16: Review for Final Exam. TAKE FINAL EXAM (OVER ALL CHAPTERS WE'VE DONE) NO LATER THAN MONDAY, DECEMBER 12. Important Course Information

The format of this class is online through the Internet. Instruction will be delivered via the textbook, the CourseCompass software, and the ELearning (Blackboard) management system. There is a Course Outline posted in ELearning that provides the suggested pace for completing the sections. You may work at a faster pace, if desired, and finish the course early. If you find yourself falling behind, you may have difficulty completing the course in the semester.

IMPORTANT: This is NOT a self-paced course. Students will be expected to keep up with the schedule posted in the Course Outline. Failure to do so may result in withdrawal from the course.

Except for the Midterm Exam and the Final Exam, you will not be required to come to campus. All of your "homework" and Chapter Tests are done at home either on the computer or (for homework, if you wish) in the textbook. This type of class is ideal for those students who live far from a campus or who have schedules that do not permit them to attend classes regularly. Since there are no structured class periods, however, you will need to be self-motivated and able to work independently in a less structured learning environment.

Distance learning courses are fully credited college classes and offer the same material as a lecture based class. There is no difference in WHAT you are expected to learn. It is the WAY you learn that is different. With distance learning courses, you study independently on your own schedule.

Homework

It is essential that you understand how much work is required for this course! Remember that a distance learning class is no different from a lecture class when it comes to homework. If you don't work on the material every day you are very likely to fall behind the pace and may end up not completing the course. If you had enrolled in a lecture class, you would expect to do homework at home; this class is no different, and you should also expect to do homework daily.

This is a 16 week course, and the recommended pace is given in the Weekly Course Timeline. The on-campus sections of this course meet for 3 hours each week with the instructor and students are expected to put in at least two hours outside of class for every hour in lecture. This course covers the same material as an on-campus course. A comparable time frame for you would be to spend a MINIMUM of 9 hours per week working on your math class, and more if you can!

There is no assigned homework in this course. You have a "Study Plan" in CourseCompass that will provide you with practice problems to do, but these problems don't count directly towards your grade. All of your "homework" can be done by using your CourseCompass "Study Plan", with the textbook problems also available as supplementary materials. I will be posting a "Suggested Assignments" list which covers all of the TEXTBOOK problems that I want you to be able to do (this is the same list I give my on-campus classes). If you are doing enough problems in CourseCompass, you may not need to do many of these textbook problems-- they are totally up to you. However, I provide you with the list because in my on-campus courses, that is what we use for "assignments". You may wish to do textbook problems INSTEAD of the ones in CourseCompass-- you can do that too. However, the problems in CourseCompass are patterned exactly after the corresponding problems in the textbook, PLUS you get the CourseCompass helps (like Step-by-Step) that you can't get from the textbook. My suggestion, then, is: do your "homework" by using the CourseCompass "Study Plan" instead of doing problems from the textbook.