MTH 03-40

Algebra I on the Web

                       

	COURSE REQUIREMENTS MTH 03 – Algebra I Fall 2008
Getting Started   1.      This course is entirely web accessible using ALEKS software.  You do not need to log into Blackboard to access the course material.  You can try out the ALEKS program as a guest at http://www.highed.aleks.com/?ref=web.   2.      There is no specific calculator requirement for this course.  Calculators may be used on the exam but are not required.   3.      You need to buy the ALEKS manual (ISBN 0072391308) with one semester access code from the bookstore or from http://www.mhhe.com/sem/aleks/purchase.html.   Be sure you do NOT buy a used book.  This is a software license, and it will only work for one student and only for one semester.   4.      There is no required textbook for this course.  Most students find the material in ALEKS sufficient, but you may use any Beginning/Intermediate Algebra textbook as an additional reference.  There are a number available in the library.  You may also contact the instructor to check one out for the semester if you wish.         First Time Logging In   5.      When initially signing into ALEKS, the program will request an e-mail address.  Please type in an address you check frequently.   6.      When you sign onto ALEKS for the first time, it is very important that you take the tutorial so that you will know how the software works.  This can save you frustration later when you might miss problems because you are not entering the solutions correctly.   7.      After the tutorial, the program will assess your math level.  This may take a couple of hours, and it is very important that you do not begin this assessment until you have a couple of hours free from distraction and interruption.   8.      Throughout the semester, the ALEKS program will occasionally give you additional assessments.  These assessments cover current material as well as material you have already completed.  Be aware that when ALEKS gives you an assessment, if you have forgotten previously mastered objectives, the program will require that you re-learn those objectives. This has not been a problem for students who consistently work on the program; however, students who quit working for a week or two often have to go back and relearn what they have forgotten. This is part of the rationale for the minimum hourly requirement per week discussed below.   9.      The course code for MTH 03 for FALL 2008 at VHCC is MTNL9-UYYJD .       Workload Expectations   10. You will be required to spend a minimum of 5 hours per week (8 hours during summer) on ALEKS (Note that in a traditional lecture class you would spend about the same time in class with additional time spent doing homework).  This will work best if you set aside time to work on the program daily or at least 3 or 4 times per week.  Make a schedule just as though you had to attend a class.  If you finish the objectives before the end of the semester, you can take the Final Exam at that time and be finished with the course.   11. If you are not putting in the minimum hours per week, you may be administratively withdrawn from the course. The program records how long you spend on-line, how many times you log on, how many objectives have been met, etc. for the instructor to view. Note that the hourly requirement per week is a MINIMUM. This is not meant to imply that this will be sufficient time for you to achieve all of the objectives. Everyone works at a different pace.   12. It is college policy that students not attending class during the first 10 days of the semester be withdrawn from the course.  If you have not contacted me by the census date (last day to receive a refund) for the semester, you will be withdrawn from the course.      Contact Information   13. If you encounter a technical problem with the program, e-mail support@aleks.com immediately.  They will help you resolve computer issues.   14. When you have questions about the math, contact me for help.  The best way to do this is to e-mail your questions through ALEKS so you can use math symbols if you need to.  You can also contact me at sfleming@vhcc.edu.   15. Please include MTH 03 and your name in the subject line of each e-mail you send me.  This allows me to spot student email quickly and give it first priority.  It also saves me time as I will not have to identify which class you are in.   16. If you think the computer is counting a problem wrong that you feel is correct, please print the exercise that is presenting the difficulty. If you cannot print directly from ALEKS, use print screen to get a record of the exercise. When you press the print screen key on your keyboard, it puts a copy of the screen onto your clipboard. To print this copy, open a word processor and select paste (or press the Ctrl and V keys) to put the screen into a document you can then print or e-mail to the instructor.   17. Please do not hesitate to e-mail me for help when you need it.   If we cannot resolve your question through e-mail or web conference, I am happy to schedule appointments to meet with you on campus.      Tests and Exams   18. There will be 3 section tests corresponding to the following topics in ALEKS:  Linear Equations; Graphing; and Exponents and Polynomials.  The average of these tests will count 50% of your course grade.  You must finish all of the ALEKS objectives in that particular slice (section) BEFORE you may take the test for that section.   19.  There  will be a comprehensive Final Exam, which is approximately 50 multiple choice questions.  The exam grade will count 25% of your course grade.   20 . ALEKS will give you periodic assessments to check your understanding of the material.  Be sure you work carefully through these.  You will have to go back and re-do any material related to problems you miss on the assessments.  The percent of the ALEKS course objectives you complete will count 25% of your course grade.     21.  Calculators may be used on all tests and the final exam.   22.  When you finish all 3 Intermediate Goals in ALEKS, you may take the final exam.  This is a pass/fail course.  In order to receive a passing grade, you must make at least a 60% on the Final Exam and have a 70% course average to pass this course.    23. You must come to your college (or approved testing site) to take the Final Exam after you finish all of the ALEKS objectives.  You will be required to show a photo ID (driver's license or college ID) in order to take the exam.  Arrangements will be made individually when you complete the objectives as to the date and time for the exam.  The last day to take the exam will be the last exam day of the semester.      Worksheets and Additional Resources   24. You can print worksheets from ALEKS to practice problems away from the computer so that you will not need to spend as much time on-line.  You can also print worksheets by clicking on ALEKS Resources at http://www.vhcc.edu/sfleming/MTH03/home.htm      Plagiarism and Cheating   25. Any student caught cheating (including not doing his/her own work on ALEKS) will fail the course, not be permitted to re-enroll in any other distance education course taught by Dr. Fleming, and will have charges brought before the Student Judiciary Committee for possible further action.   26. Also be aware that if someone else does the work in ALEKS, you must show a valid picture ID (driver's license or VHCC student ID) in order to sit for the exam.  Any student making below 60% on the exam will not receive credit for the course.

Link to PowerPoint Presentations

Link to ALEKS resource site.

Link to VHCC MTH 03 Course of Study

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