This course will be taught in a synchronous format. You will be expected to engage with lecture materials outside of class time. During our scheduled sessions, we will focus on collaborative problem-solving and in-depth discussions of key concepts. To make the most of our time together, it is essential that you complete the assigned readings and materials before each class.
This course is separated into modules. In each module, you are expected to read the required sections, take notes, and answer questions through Knowledge Checks. Each knowledge check will consist of questions related to the material covered in previous readings. If you miss a question on a Knowledge Check, you are encouraged to reread the section and try the Knowledge Check again. At the end of each module, you will be asked to complete a Concept Summary, which will consist of a few short prompts to respond to.
Knowledge Checks are graded on correctness; however, you may repeat the questions up to three times. Concept Summaries are graded on completion. You must satisfy the minimum requirements for the summary to count towards your pre-lecture content completion.
There are no exams in this course. Instead, we will have two application projects that will be completed in groups.
Each week there will be an assigned set of problems on edfinity. These problems will also be revisited during class time.
Every week, each student will choose three questions from the online homework to write full solutions. Answers to these questions are expected to be written clearly and in an organized fashion. Each problem needs to include:
Full solution showing all steps.
Description of mathematical skills needed to solve the problem
Reference to the specific Canvas module of the mathematics needed for the solution.
Personal reason for choosing the problem for the Written Homework.
How the particular problem or used skills can be related to a real-world topic or situation.
You will be working in a group for the duration of the course. You are expected to behave professionally and interact with your peers in constructive and meaningful ways. If you have any issues or concerns with your group, please reach out to your instructor directly.
Class time will contain several activities that will facilitate your learning of the material. A typical class day might include:
Warm up: An introduction for the topic of the day and warm up activities.
Individual Assessment: You will be given a selection of homework and non-homework problems, which you will work through independently. You will not be given whether your solution is correct.
Group Discussion: After the completion of these problems, you will be sent into breakout rooms with your respective group. During this breakout session, you will be responsible for discussing the questions you got incorrect, why you got them incorrect, and how to correct your mistakes. During this discussion, the group members will use their established group roles.
Examples and Highlights: The instructor will go over important examples and content relevant for the topic of the day.
Class Activity: In groups, you will work on a worksheet which may require participation among the entire group. In this worksheet, you will be expected to grapple with concepts, work through guided exploration, create examples, and/or analyze methods and techniques.
Class Debrief: Reflections on solutions, Q&As, and other important information about class.
During group discussions, there roles will help work more effectively.
Facilitator: The facilitator should open the conversation by making sure their group members know their roles for the day. Throughout the group work activities, it will be up to the facilitator to ensure that all students in the group participate in the discussion.
Content Ambassador: The content ambassador will begin by stating the day's learning outcomes. They will then read the question to the group and open the discussion about the mathematics for the day. If the instructor asks for groups to present, it will be the content ambassador’s responsibility.
Consensus Leader: The consensus leader’s role is to ensure that everyone agrees on their solutions. Should students be unable to agree, the consensus leader will help to pinpoint the cause of the disagreement to add to their discussion work for the day. If consensus is reached, the consensus leader will ensure that solution is recorded.
*The Advocate: The advocate’s job is to check the team’s understanding. The advocate will be the only the only student with the authority to ask the instructor for additional help; in order to do so, they must come to consensus with the group about the question and ensure that no one in the group has an answer.
*Administrator: While all students should be contributing to the written document for the day via the provided Google Docs or Google Slides, the administrator’s job will be to ensure the notes are complete and to ensure that the group stays on time and on topic throughout the session.
*The advocate and administrator roles will not be used in the event that there are one or two students absent from the group.