Math Algebra

BASIC & ELEMENTARY ALGEBRA AND GEOMETRY

COURSE MATERIALS

REQUIRED ALEKS SUBSCRIPTION

U: tcalva12

P: Chuchita12!

We recommend that you DO NOT Opt-Out, as the subscription is required to complete the course. You can choose to Opt-Out on the first day of class, but you will be responsible for purchasing your course materials at the full retail price and access to your materials may be suspended.

ORGANIZATIONAL MATERIALS

You will be required to complete mathematics problems using the ALEKS platform. Therefore, it is essential that you develop a method to keep your work organized. We strongly recommend that you use either a notebook and folder, or a three-ring binder. Your instructor may ask to see your notes.

CALCULATOR

You may only use a 4-function calculator for your work in Modules 1-6. Inexpensive, basic calculators can be purchased at most stores for about $5.00. Graphing calculators are only authorized for use in Modules 7-10. There is a calculator built into ALEKS for all questions (even on exams) and calculators are available to be used while working in our designated labs.

HOME SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS (OPTIONAL BUT HIGHLY RECOMMENDED)

In all college classes, students are expected to spend 2 hours outside of class for every hour in class. This means each week you should spend 4 hours in your scheduled class plus an additional 8 hours outside of your regular class time. There is a strong relationship between success in this course and the amount of work that you do outside of class. If you choose to do this work from home, know that ALEKS will run on tablets, laptops and desktops. Please see the table below for specific system requirements.

Windows Macintosh Chromebook iPad Android

Operating System 7+ OS X 10.7+ Chrome OS iOS 6+ Android 4+

Screen Resolution 1024×768 + 1024×768 + Any Any 8.9″

Browsers Chrome 30+

Explorer 9+

Firefox 25+ Chrome 30+

Safari 6+

Firefox 25+ Chrome 30+ Safari Chrome 30+

COURSE STRUCTURE

GENERAL OVERVIEW

You will progress through the material for this course through an online adaptive software package called ALEKS-360. You will have mastered a given topic once you answer three questions in a row correctly. After each Module is completed, you will take an exam. Once you have mastered the exam (score of 80% or above), you will move on to the next Module.

INITIAL KNOWLEDGE CHECK

This feature of the program allows us to know exactly what knowledge of mathematics you have before beginning the material required for this course. You will take the Initial Knowledge Check in class on the first day. This Knowledge Check will help us determine where you should begin in the course material. An individualized ALEKS Pie will be designed for you by the system based on your answers on the Knowledge Check.

MODULE PIE COMPLETION

A Module Pie is considered complete when you have mastered more than 95% of the material in the pie. When you have completed a Module Pie, ALEKS will push you into the next Module. You can see your progress in a Module Pie by going to the Reports tab under the Main Menu. Look under Current Objective, and click on View Full Report. You have completed a Module Pie when the Module Pie has a grey background with the word “Completed” is at the top.

INSTRUCTION

This course provides you with multiple modes of instruction. First, ALEKS provides examples for each topic. Depending on the topic being covered, you will have access to video lectures, worked examples, and extra examples. Your instructor also offers office hours each week outside of class.

PARTICIPATION

Participation is essential for successful completion of this course. Attend all class sessions with course and/or material questions.

WRITTEN HOMEWORK

You will be responsible for submitting two Written Homework Assignments for each Module (parts A & B). The assignments are located under Modules. Each assignment is 5 questions and worth 25 points. In order to take a Module Exam, your Homework grade must be at least 80% (20 points each) on both Written HW assignments A and B. Homework will not be graded during class time, so be sure to submit both parts prior to the day you wish to take an Exam. Students will have the opportunity to resubmit their homework if they do not receive a passing grade on the first try. For instructions on how homework should be submitted, please see the appropriate assignment under Modules.

ONLINE HOMEWORK

Within the ALEKS program, you will be responsible for submitting two Online Homework Assignments for each Module (parts A & B). In order to take a Module Exam, your Online Homework grades must be at least 80% on each assignment. You have the opportunity to resubmit Online Homework if you do not receive a passing grade on the first try. To access your Online Homework assignments for each Module, select “Assignments” in your ALEKS Main Menu.

PRACTICE TEST

Within the ALEKS program, there are Practice Tests for each Module Exam. These Practice Tests must be completed with an 80% or higher in order to take the Module Exam. You may attempt the Practice Test as many times as necessary in order to reach your goal of 80%. See your instructor if you have a hard time passing the Practice Test.

MODULE EXAM

Once all requirements have been met, you will take a Module Exam. In order to take the exam, you must have completed both Module Pies (A & B), scored 80% or higher on your written and online homework for parts A and B of the Module, scored 80% or higher on your Practice Test, and gotten permission from your instructor to take the Exam. Exams will not be visible to you until it is assigned by your instructor. Your goal in order to master the entire Module is to score 80% or higher on your Module Exam. If you do not reach this score, you will be assigned another Practice Test and will have the opportunity to take the Exam again.

FINAL GRADES

Final grades are based on the number of modules you have mastered. Grades in Canvas are official. (Grades in ALEKS are not.)

# of Modules Mastered Final Grade

0 F

1 F

2 C

3 or more A