Chabot College Alternative Path in Developmental Mathematics (APDM)

Program Description

The APDM program is designed to be a flexible-paced alternative to the traditional developmental math sequence. Although up to one unit can be granted for participation in the program, its completion in and of itself neither satisfies any math requirement nor places students in a more advanced course than they were previously assessed. This is a feature of the program that allows serious students to demonstrate their math skills at their own pace without external demands (e.g. homework and tests) on a fixed timeframe. Under faculty supervision, students work on a web-based learning and assessment system (called ALEKS) that individualizes the curriculum to what they are ready to learn and constantly assesses them. The emphasis is on what the students learn and retain, not grades. As the students are mostly self-directed, this program is not recommended for those students who need external pressure to make progress.

Students have one weekly or biweekly meeting with the instructor to monitor progress and ask questions. Between meetings, students can get help through Chabot’s drop-in tutoring or attend the instructor's office hours.

Program Audience

This program is designed for students who...

• Took a W for a math course but wish to keep working on their math skills to prepare for the next time they take math.

• Aren't ready to begin a math course but want to ease back to it.

• Wish to prepare for a standardized exam (e.g. TEAS for nursing) that includes a math section.

• Wish to review math relevant to an introductory chemistry class.

Program Format

Students in the APDM program can choose two option. There is no letter grade, only Pass or Not Pass. 

• For credit: Student enroll in MTH 122 for each semester. To earn ½ unit, students must log 22 hours working on ALEKS; to earn 1 unit, 44 hours. Students choose the number of units upon registering for the class. 

• For noncredit: Students enroll in a designated eight-week section of MTH 210 or MTH 220. To pass, students must complete 44 hours; to make satisfactory progress, students must average at least 2 hours of work on ALEKS per week. Noncredit carries no tuition fee. Students may enroll in both the first and second eight-week sections within the same semester.

Student can enroll throughout the semester, but it is the student's responsibility to make sure that the hours are completed on time. The student schedules to meet with the instructor once a week, during the time stated on the application. The instructor will review the student’s progress, and the student can ask questions. The student can also see the instructor during other APDM time slots or during office hours, as well as use the drop-in tutoring in the STEM Center to get help. The actual time investment in MTH 122 to achieve the student’s personal goal is generally more than the required hours; the hours are kept at the bureaucratic minimum to allow for exercising individual flexibility and assuming responsibility for student’s own learning beyond satisfying a requirement.

Fall 2025 Schedule

Once a week or every two weeks, we will have a Zoom meeting or meet in person. Complete an application to choose your meeting time block, which is one-hour in length. You will be waiting while I meet with students, and you will be dismissed as soon as we finish our meeting. Even though we don’t meet for the entire hour, it’s good that you schedule the hour and work on math both while you are waiting and after our meeting; regularly scheduled study time helps you progress in a self-paced class. For Fall 2023, the time blocks are listed below.

• Mondays 1:30-2:30 pm (online or in-person)

• Mondays 3:15-4:15 pm (online or in-person)

• Tuesdays 8-9 pm (online only)

• Thursdays 9:30-10:30 am (online or in-person)

• Thursday 11 am-12 pm (online in-person)

If you have to leave early or arrive late a bit, that’s fine; I just need you to be available in a block waiting as I get through students' weekly conference. Just let me know. If there's a time conflict, arrangement can be made on a limited basis for meeting with the instructor outside the above time blocks.

Required Material

There is no textbook, but students must purchase access to the learning and assessment system ALEKS. 

• There is a pilot program for STEM students who need calculus to use a variant of ALEKS for free. 

• If you are not preparing for calculus, I am happy to experiment with Khan Academy for you to use in this course instead, though it does not allow the instructor to monitor student work as closely.

• For students preparing for TEAS or another standardized exam, a regular ALEKS subscription is required.

As of Feb 2022, the cost for purchasing online is $40 for 6-week access, $60 for 11-week, $81 for 18-week, $104 for 40-week, and $109 for 52-weeks, and is subject to change. Considering how much it costs to hire private tutors hourly, this is quite accessible. You can experience ALEKS as a student on the ALEKS website. You are encouraged to do so and to view the ALEKS Student Tour to see if this program is right for you.

Enrollment Procedure

An application to the APDM program is required for the purpose of gathering information about your math needs. Enrollment is offered on a first-come-first-served basis. Before completing the application, you may view the ALEKS Student Tour and try the ALEKS student module for free on the ALEKS website to see if it is a good fit for you. You can read more about the learning and assessment system at http://www.aleks.com/about_aleks.

When you are ready, complete an application. Be sure to write down the time block you have chosen for weekly conference. You will get more information about our online meeting when Mr. Ho sends you your add number.

Enroll yourself on the wait list for an appropriate section of MTH 122/210/220 for APDM in CLASS-Web to facilitate adding into the class later.