Math 64 Syllabus Spring 2020

WELCOME TO OUR CLASS! I'm looking forward to being your teacher this semester. You can do it!!!!! Let's have fun! I am happy to help you reach your goals. Just Ask! Do NOT give up! It does take time, but if you put in the time, it will be worth it!!!!

Click to Read Emails/Announcements sent to enrolled students in this class to make sure you didn't miss seeing them.

Spring 2020 Math 64 SYLLABUS Section 3071

If you email me, please sign with your first and last name, and a phone number with times you may be reached if you want to meet in person or speak on the phone or meet on the computer for ZOOM meeting. I am committed to having regular contact with you via emails/announcements/forums, etc. IF YOU EMAIL me with a question, I WILL USUALLY GET BACK TO YOU WITHIN 48 HOURS, and often much quicker than that. If you don't hear from me, your email may not have come through or gotten lost. In that case, please try again or send me a message within MyOpenMath (MOM). Official Online Office Hours: 5-6 pm on 3/24, 3/9, 4/6, 4/20, 5/4; 12-1 pm on 3/2, 3/30, 4/13, 4/27

By the end of this class, I hope you feel empowered by your strong mathematical knowledge.

Class Culture and the Learning Process This class is based on the belief that everyone has the capability to learn algebra, and to enjoy it! Keep the following in mind.

Value your time. It’s easy to get distracted when you have a computer, smartphone or T.V. in front of you. When it’s time to learn and do math, try to remove as many distractions as possible. One hour of focused work is much more beneficial than 2 hours of trying to learn with distractions.

Struggle productively. It is normal to struggle on some math problems more than on others. Be persistent, but also ask for help when you need it. If you find yourself spending a lot of time without making any progress, take a break, ask questions in the forums, set up a tutoring session, go to the MLC, practice more examples by watching videos, etc.

Learning is a process. The guideline is to set aside 12-15 hours a week on this 4 unit class. Your best chance at success is to approach math as you would approach a sport--practice for a few hours almost every day. Try your best to make it a priority to keep up with the work and ask for help as needed.

Know the process and the concepts. Find the joy of learning math by investing yourself in learning more than procedures (HOW). When you understand the concepts (WHY) so they make sense, math becomes enjoyable and beautiful.

Course Description Intermediate Algebra: This algebra course covers radicals, exponents, concepts of relations and functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, linear and quadratic functions, and the solutions of equations from these topics.

Student Learning Outcome: For a given set of problems the student will demonstrate quantitative reasoning by developing a problem-solving strategy, performing appropriate analysis and computation, and critically assessing the meaning of the conclusion or outcome.

Calculator: You will need a basic or scientific calculator for this class. Calculators may be used on proctored tests. Most problems should be done without a calculator. Only use when necessary. I recommend TI-30-XS (for about $20) since it is what you may use in the Academic Proctoring Center on tests. On proctored tests, you may ONLY use a calculator provided by the APC. Use of cell phones as calculators is not allowed.

Attendance Policies: Attendance is monitored by your verified active participation in class each week in the following ways. YIf it appears you are no longer active in the class, you may be dropped. Contact me any time something comes up if you are unable to fulfill these policies so I know you are still interested in the class.

1. Log in to our MOM class at least every few days to read announcements. Please post in each required forum by its deadline. Submit answers in the online quizzes by the original due date (unless you are ahead). Also, read forum posts and messages. Submitting posts in the graded forums and submitting answers in each online quiz by their due date(s) indicates you are attending class. You should set aside 12-15 hours a week for this class, and might need to spend at least 5 of those hours actively logged in and working on the forum post or quizzes in MOM.

2) Well before each test deadline, schedule an appointment with the APC to take it during the test window, and show up and take it during your scheduled appointment time. Be on time (arriving early is a good idea) with your valid photo I.D. If for any reason, including an emergency, you do not take a proctored test by its deadline, please notify me immediately so I know you want to continue in the class.

TESTS: There are three unit tests and a comprehensive final that you must take proctored in the Academic Proctoring Center (APC) on campus, or at an approved proctoring site out of the county. Unit 1 covers Packet 1 and Q1-3, Unit 2 covers Packet 2, and Q4-7, Unit 3 covers Packet 3 and Q8-10, and the final is cumulative over Q1-13 which emphasis on Q11-13. These are tests you take in person with a proctor, and the tests are online. The dates you may take each test, as well as all info regarding appointments is in MOM. Click here if you will be out of the county during test window dates.

Schedule and Assignments: There are four packets. See schedule. There are required Weekly Forum Post Assignments, and online Quizzes. If you transcribe videos and do the packet problems first, you should be ready to do the online quiz assignment. If you need more time to complete an online assignment, redeem a late pass within the late pass period. The quizzes (Q1, Q2, etc.) are like quizzes in that you must answer correctly to earn points, but they are not timed, and you may try similar problems to earn credit if you answer incorrectly.

Studying: Doing the packets and quizzes is not the same thing as studying. Most students need to review a concept or a procedure many times before it becomes familiar and sticks. Schedule several hours a week for working on this class. I encourage you to frequently go back and review the packets, videos and quiz problems to make sure you remember the concepts and can still work through the problems correctly.

Grading: Your grade is based on percents within categories. Proctored tests where you demonstrate your understanding through working problems correctly in a testing environment make up 75% of your grade, so you must do reasonably well on those to pass the class. Do the practice reviews and tests without notes or hints or videos before taking the real tests.

Forum Posts: 5%

Online Quizzes: 20%

Tests: 75%

There are no make-up tests. If you miss a test, you earn a zero on it. However, I replace the lowest test score with your grade on the final exam if you miss a test for any reason (including an emergency) or if you do better on the final exam than your lowest test score. The final exam is required and may not be replaced. If your final exam score is lower than each of your test scores, nothing will be replaced. Nothing replaces the final exam grade, and it is required to pass the class.

RESOURCES

Click for a list of students services available at MiraCosta College, including math tutoring, help in the MLC, etc.

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 a not already done so, please register with Disabled Students Programs & Services at 760-795-6658. Their office is located in Building 3000, adjacent to parking lot 3C. Go to http://www.miracosta.edu/studentservices/dsps/index.html for more information.

IMPORTANT DATES

Below are dates for Spring 2020 most important for our class. Note: there may be typos.

2/13: Last Date to drop this class and receive a refund with no grade placed on permanent record. Also, last date to add this class.

2/14-2/17: Campus closed

3/4: Last day to petition for pass/no pass. You do not need my permission and I do not need to be notified. Go to the Admissions and Records office to fill out and turn in the required paperwork if you want this option.

Spring Break: March 16-21

4/27: Last Day to drop class with option of "W" grade

LGBTQIA+ Resources – “MiraCosta College has an expressed commitment to equity and inclusion for students, faculty, and staff members who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, and asexual. The district employs a Campus Liaison for LGBTQIA+ needs, offers LGBTQIA Safe Space training, and has multiple student scholarships for members and active allies of the LGBTQIA+ community. For information about these and additional campus resources and services, visit: www.miracosta.edu/lgbt.”

Link to Unit Packets--Videos, PDF, Answers, etc.

How to Enter & Submit Answers in MyOpenMath

Late Pass Info Spring 2020

Academic Proctoring Center (schedule tests at this link)

Math Learning Center and Tutoring Center

Click for a list of more students services available at MiraCosta College.