Math 30 Syllabus Spring 2017 Elementary Algebra Mrs. Congleton Section 3151 Online Course Description Designed to prepare students for intermediate algebra, this course covers simplifying algebraic expressions involving polynomials and rational terms; factoring; solving linear equations; solving quadratic and rational equations using factoring; analyzing graphs of linear equation; and solving applied problems. Required Materials: MyMathLab (Student Access Kit) The Student Access Kit contains access to the MyMathLab (MML) website. Homework and quizzes, the ebook, video lectures, the Discussion Board, and other resources are available only through MML. You may purchase the kit online using a credit card, or you may purchase an access code from the College Bookstore and then log on using the access code. You will also need a Course ID to log in. This Course ID will be provided to you in an email that I will send to all enrolled students periodically beginning on January 1 and again the weekend before classes begin. Contact me at ccongleton@miracosta.edu if you do not receive an email with the Course ID. Optional Materials: Hard Copy of the Text and Scientific Calculator If you wish, you may purchase a hard copy of the text in addition to the MyMathLab online materials. The text is: Algebra: A Combined Approach, by Elayn Martin-Gay, 4th Edition. A hard copy of the text is not required, and the e-text is available in MML. For tests you may use a scientific, non-graphing calculator. Even though you may use a calculator, you must show all supporting work, use algebra, and give exact answers for all problems except those in which the directions state otherwise. I recommend that you purchase (for about $15) the Texas Instruments TI 30-XS calculator to use for your homework, quizzes and reviews. Information and examples about how to use this calculator are posted in MyMathLab (MML) under the menu item labeled Calculator. Test and Final Exam Schedule Tests and the Final Exam will be given on-campus during a scheduled testing window at the Academic Proctoring Center or at an instructor-approved Testing Center at another community college. Contact me the Academic Proctoring Center to arrange for proctored testing at another community college. The testing windows are: Test 1 (1.3,1.8,2.1 2.7) 2/14/17 2/16/17 Test 2 (3.1 3.5, 4.4 4.4) 3/14/17 3/16/17 Test 3 (5.1 5.7, 6.1, 6.2) 4/18/17-4/20/17 Final Exam (6.3 6.6, Ch. 7, App. C and D, 5/22/17-5/24/17 13.1, 4.3, 13.3, and all sections above)
Resources What resources are available to me to help you succeed in this online class? Here are some of the resources available for you: MyMathLab: Use the software to access videos, lecture notes, example problems posted on the Discussion Board, step-by-step solutions, the electronic text, and your homework, quizzes and online test reviews. Math Learning Center Assistance: Aides and tutors in the MLC (Math Learning Center) are available to assist you with questions that you may have. Find the locations and hours at the MLC webpage. Tutoring: Free tutoring is available on both campuses in the Tutoring Center. For hours and locations click on the Tutoring button in the main MML menu on the right side of any MML page or go to the Tutoring Center webpage. Online Tutoring: Free online tutoring is available through the Western e-tutoring Consortium. Find out about online tutoring by clicking the Online Tutoring button in the main MML menu on the right side of any MML page or navigating to www.miracosta.edu/instruction/tutoring/oninetutoring.html. For an appointment, follow the link above and then click on the link log in to the e-tutoring website. Use your SURF ID and the password given on that page to log in. Follow the directions to change your password. Tutoring is also available in MML using Live Chat. Email Communication: Email me at ccongleton@miracosta.edu if you have questions or need assistance. Please be sure to place your full name (not a nickname) and Math 30 in the subject line. I do not open emails from unknown senders. Ask Your Instructor: In each MML homework window, you will see a button labeled Ask Your Instructor. Click on this button to send me an email that wiil contain the comments/question that you type in and as a copy of the homework problem that you are having difficulty with. MyMathGal Videos: Use the MyMathGal videos prepared by Math instructor Julie Harland for extra assistance, if needed. Click on MyMathGal Videos on the main MML menu on the right side of any MML page to access these videos. The Discussion Board on MyMathLab: Use the Discussion Board to ask questions, answer questions that other students have posted, and to access solved problems that I have posted. When using the Board, be kind, generous, and patient with your classmates. All interactions must be appropriate, just as in an actual classroom. I carefully monitor the Discussion Board. Grading Procedures There are 35 homework assignments, 16 quizzes, three tests, and one cumulative Final Exam. Video assignments do not count towards your grade even though they are labeled as homework by MML. The percentage that each category counts toward your course grade is given in the chart below. Grade Category Percentage per Assignment Total Percentage per Category Homework 0.2% (35 assignments) 7% Quiz 0.5% (16 quizzes) 8% Test 20% (3 tests) 60% Final Exam 25% (1 Final Exam) 25% 2
Tests and the Final Exam are a major percentage of the course grade. It is important make a C or better on each test and on the Final Exam! Homework and quiz scores do not count enough to result in a passing score for most students who don t have a passing average on the tests/final Exam. Also, try to go into the Final Exam with at least a mid C average. For many students, the cumulative Final Exam is more difficult than the tests. The grading procedure is as follows: Grade Course Average in Percent Format A 90%-100% B 80%-89% C 70%-79% D 60%-69% F Below 60% Important Add and Drop Dates: Last Day to Add Classes: Friday, February 3, 2017 Last Day to Drop with No Record (no- W ): Friday, February 3, 2017 Last Day to Petition for Pass/No Pass Grade: Friday, February 24, 2017 Last Day to Withdraw (Drop) from Classes: Thursday, April 27, 2017 Calculators You may use a non-graphing, scientific calculator for tests; however, you must show all steps and supporting work, use algebra, and give exact answers except in problems in which the directions state otherwise. Courtesies Our online environment is based on mutual respect. All of our interactions with one another should be respectful, kind and helpful. Please gauge all of your actions in this class against this standard. Below are several guidelines that all are expected to follow. All tests are given on campus at the Academic Proctoring Center or at an instructor-approved community college Testing Center. Make arrangements at the Academic Proctoring Center at least one week in advance if you do not live in this area and wish to have your tests proctored at a local community college. Academic dishonesty on a test will result in a zero on that test. All cell phones and pagers must be turned off and put away during tests. On the Discussion Board, focus on mathematics at hand and avoid personal comments, and please be encouraging, positive, and helpful. Be sensitive to the feelings of others. Please avoid criticism and teasing, joking other behaviors that might be hurtful to others or unacceptable in a classroom environment. Communicating With Your Instructor Use the Discussion Board to post questions about problems or math concepts and use email for questions about your grade or other questions that are not appropriate for the Discussion Board. 3
The main methods of communication in this course are email, Announcements, and the Discussion Board. Please check the announcements page on MML and your personal email inbox every day for messages from me. To ask questions about concepts or homework/quiz problems, use the Discussion Board so that I can post answers for other students to see who might have the same question. For questions that are not appropriate for the Discussion Board, such as questions about your grade, email me at ccongleton@miracosta.edu. Be sure to write your full name and Math 30 in the subject line, as I do not generally open emails from senders whom I do not recognize. I typically reply to emails within 24 hours during the week and at least once on weekends. Attendance Policy/Being Dropped or Dropping The Course Attendance in this course is measured by your COMPLETION of online work. You may be dropped from class without further notice if you fail to meet any of the following attendance requirements: First-day attendance requirement: You must log onto MML and complete the required orientation by 11:59 pm on the first day of class, Monday, January 23, 2017. Online attendance: Students must attend regularly by completing homework and quizzes online. You must log on to MML and complete work at least three times each week, or you may be dropped from the class. It is best to log on and work daily, but you must log on and work at least three times per week. You may also be dropped from the class if you do not take a scheduled test. The deadline to drop this course and receive a W is Thursday, April 27, 2017. After this date, students are not allowed to drop and will receive an evaluative grade for the class (A, B, C, D, F, or Pass/No Pass). It is the responsibility of each student to drop the class before this deadline if he/she does not choose to receive an evaluative grade. Academic Honesty I fully support MiraCosta College's belief that academic honesty is a cornerstone of the educational community. To that end, I expect academic honesty of my students. Students who bring unauthorized material to a test or copy from another's test will receive a zero on that test. You may use your textbook and notes on homework and may ask questions on the Discussion Forum, but you must complete your work on your own and not share answers with others. Students may not have a cell phone or other electronic device on their person or on, in, or around their work area while taking a test or Final Exam. All cell phones and other electronic devices must be turned off and put away during testing. Any student who has a cell phone or other electronic device turned on or has a cell phone on, in, or around his/her desk area while taking a test will receive a zero on the test. Disabled Students If you have a disability that may require accommodations in this online delivery format or require test accommodations, please notify me by email before the end of the second week of class. If you have not already done so, please register with Disabled Students Programs & Services at 795-6658. Their office is located in Building 3000, adjacent to parking lot 3C. 4
Math Learning Center Students may use the MLC for assistance with the course. Drop in for assistance anytime during the hours that the MLC is open. Aides and/or the tutors who circulate on the floor answering questions will be happy to help you. At busy times, a staff member will be able to spend 5-10 minutes at most with each student before moving on to another student. If time permits, the staff member will spend more time and/or come back and answer more questions after other students have been helped. For one-on-one assistance for a one hour time period, make an appointment at the Tutoring Center. Academic Proctoring Center The Academic Proctoring Center provides proctoring for tests for online courses. All of our tests and our Final Exam will be given at the Academic Proctoring Center (APC) on either the Oceanside or San Elijo campus. The APC is located in Room 3334 on the Oceanside Campus and Room 101 on the San Elijo campus. Hours, a map showing the Oceanside and San Elijo locations, and information about making an appointment for taking a test at the APC can be found at the APC website: http://www.miracosta.edu/studentservices/proctoringcenter/ A link to the APC can also be found in MyMathLab in the main menu on the left side of the home page. To make an appointment to take a test, follow the link on the homepage of the APC. You will need your student ID (SURF ID with a zero in front instead of a W), your instructor s name (Congleton), and your course name/section (either Math 30/1859 or Math 30/2533). The APC Use Policies and Appointment Policies, taken from the APC website, are given below. Please note that students ARE REQUIRED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO TAKE A TEST. Because the APC serves many students and is often booked up fully in advance, please make your appointments early on and do not miss your appointment! Appointment Policies: Students are required to schedule an appointment to take an exam. All students must adhere to the following Appointment Policies:! Only students who make an appointment are guaranteed a space or time to take an exam.! If a student is late for an appointment, the seat becomes available to another student after 15 minutes.! The instructor will be notified whenever a student does not show up for a scheduled appointment.! A student who misses an appointment is not guaranteed another appointment for the same test. This will depend on appointment availability and the policy of the instructor regarding a missed exam time. APC Use Policies: 5
1. Make an appointment to use the Center and arrive on time. Please allow 15 minutes to find parking and to walk to the center. An appointment time should be chosen that allows for the exam s full time limit. (All outstanding test materials are collected at the Center s posted closing time.) 2. Provide acceptable photo identification (MiraCosta College Student ID card, California Driver s License or California State ID card, High school ID card from a San Diego county high school, High school yearbook with an individual photo of student and student s full name, ID card from another community college or post-secondary institution, Military ID card, Passport). 3. Turn off cell phones and other electronic devices, and place all personal belongings in a designated area. 4. Arrange childcare off-campus when using the APC. 5. Be courteous and respectful to other students and staff. 6. Abide by test instructions on the test transmittal form submitted by instructor. 7. Use Only APC provided and instructor approved materials (e.g., calculators, pencils, erasers, scratch paper, ruler). All materials, including student notes allowed on open note exams will be collected and returned to the instructor. 8. When taking an exam on blackboard; if you are accessing any websites, documents or other resources outside the exam window, you will be dismissed and a written incident report will be sent to the instructor. Please note that your activity on the computer is being monitored and can be recorded by APC staff. 9. The APC is to be used for test purposes only. No preparation or studying in the APC is allowed. If you are turning in work for your instructor, please make sure this is ready to be handed over when you walk in to your appointment to minimize distraction to other students. Math 30 Student Learning Outcomes At the end of this course a student will be able to: 1. Students will be able to make use of factoring techniques, solve quadratic equations by factoring, and make use of factoring to simplify rational expressions. 2. Students will be able to translate English phrases into algebraic expressions and equations, and solve applied problems. 3. Students will be able to perform operations related to linear equations in two variables, solve systems of linear equations, and solve applications that can be modeled using systems of linear equations. 6
Frequency of Instructor-Initiated Communication Distance Education courses at MiraCosta College all must meet specific criteria for regular and effective contact between instructors and students. For this Math 30 Section 1859 and Math 30 Section 2533 online course, the specifics of this regular and effective contact are: Kinds and Frequency of Instructor-Initiated Contact Emails to the class: Students can expect to receive from me at least one email per week with important information about the course. These emails will also be posted on the Announcement page so that students can refer to them all semester as needed. Discussion Board: I have provided a structured Discussion Board for the class. During the semester I will post sample problems and/or answers to questions that students ask about the material to various forums on the Discussion Board. I will check the current topics on the Discussion Board at least twice per week and respond to questions that students have posted there. When a student posts a question about work covered during a previous week (past topics), the student must email me to let me know that a post was made on previous material and to tell me the topic under which the post was made. There are no flags for unread posts in MML, and I generally check only for posts made on the current week s material. Checking student progress: During the first two weeks of the course, I check student s averages weekly, and I generally send email reminders to students who have missed work or who have course averages that have fallen below passing. After that two-week period, I expect students to take on the responsibility to check their Gradebook and email me to ask for extensions on any missed assignments. Homework and quiz due dates are posted under DueDates/TestInfo in the main MML menu. Generally, homework is due each Wednesday and Friday and Quizzes are due each Sunday. Student s grades for these assignments are posted in his/her Gradebook immediately upon completion of the assignment. Homework questions: For each homework problem on every assignment, students may use the Ask Your Instructor button to send a copy of the student s problem along with a message from the student to my MiraCosta email. I generally check email daily Monday through Friday, except holidays, and reply to those emails. On weekends, I often check email and typically send replies at least once during the weekend. Instructor Absences Generally, I will be present in the online environment each weekday (weekdays do not include weekend days and holidays) and at least once over the weekend. However, at a minimum, I will be present at least two weekdays per week with no more than two weekdays in between during which I am not present. If I am not able to be present as described above, then I will request from the Office of Instruction a substitute instructor until I can once again be present in the online environment. Verification of Student Identity All course materials, including homework and quizzes, are accessed through a secure website (MyMathLab). Each student creates his/her own username and password to access the site. 7
All tests and the Final Exam are given at the Academic Proctoring Center at MiraCosta College or in a proctored environment at an instructor-approved community college. Students Rights and Responsibilities Please see the college catalog for information about students rights and responsibilities. 8