Math 52 Elementary Algebra

Section 32392

Spring 2010

Instructor: Deborah Smith

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IMPORTANT NOTICE: PLEASE READ BEFORE CONTINUING

To be successful in this (and any) on-line course, you will need to be self-motivated and self-disciplined in setting your study schedule. Some students are more suited to this type of distance learning experience, but others are not. I encourage you to ask yourself these questions to help determine if you are prepared to be in an online course:

 

Am I able to manage my time without distractions?
Am I able to stay on task, without disruptions?
Am I able to consistently meet deadlines?
Will I continually check the course calendar and complete assignments on time?
Am I able to learn new material on my own?
Do I have a quiet, safe environment where I can study with little or no interruptions?
Do I have a reliable computer that I am experienced with, and a back computer I can use if my computer breaks?


Based on your personal responses to each of these items, I'll let you decide if this on-line course is for you. If you believe that it is not, you might want to consider dropping this course and taking a traditional face to face class or a hybrid class. At the same time, you might find that you can rise to meet the challenges inherent in an on-line course, and I wish you well.

In either case, you will find a lot of on-line support from me and from the other students, as long as you are willing to take advantage of this support.

 

  How to Buy the Text

 Course Calendar

 Proctored Tests
_______________________________________ ______________________________ ______________________________

The most important things to know about this course:

What else do you want to know about this course?

Disabled Student Services About the instructor Course Description
Learning Outcomes About the textbook Lesson Routine
Homework Calculators Student Resources
Grading Quizzes and Tests Proctored Tests
Math Lab Hours Dropping the Course Honor System

The most important things to know about this course:

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DISABLED STUDENT PROGRAMS & SERVICES (DSP&S)

If you have a physical, psychiatric/emotional, medical, or learning disability that may impact your ability to carry out assigned course work, I urge you to contact the staff in Disabled Student Services Office. You can find information about contacting them on the campus of your choice by going to DSP&S. All information and documentation is confidential.

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INSTRUCTOR

Hello. My name is Deborah Smith. I have been teaching mathematics since January of 1993, and at Riverside Community College's Norco campus since 1998. I have an undergraduate degree in economics and in mathematics, and a graduate degree in applied mathematics.

I originally began my college career as a music major, then a psychology major, then a theater major, then a dance major, and finally settled into economics, although mathematics was always one of my favorite subjects, in large part due to exceptionally good teachers. So, if you are still undecided as to your major/career path, don't be disheartened; you are in good company.

I worked for an aerospace company for 14 years, and during that time began teaching mathematics part time at California State University, San Bernardino. I soon found that I had a great passion for teaching. To that end, I began pursuing a full time career teaching mathematics.

My wish is that you would enjoy your math experience in this class, not just simply suffer through it. Through positive encouragement and many small successes, my hope is that this experience will help to build confidence in yourself and your future math endeavors.
Please feel free to contact me through my school e-mail address: deborah.smith@rcc.edu
Deborah J. Smith

 

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COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course will start you off learning about the foundations of algebra, positive and negative numbers, and the Order of Operations. We then move into Equations, Polynomials, Factoring, Rational Expressions, Quadratic and Rational Equations, Graphing Lines, and square roots.

Now, don't let any of those topics scare you. Mr Prior's text will take you through one step at a time, and I think you'll find the explanations fairly easy to understand and apply. However, math doesn't come through a closed book, nor does it come through last minute cramming. You'll need to keep on top of the daily assignments so that you don't get behind.

This class moves quickly, so you must stay on top of it on a daily basis.

 

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STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

The principle objective of this course is for the students to learn the mathematics of Beginning Algebra so that they can apply it to a variety of problems and applications.

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • Perform arithmetic operations on real numbers and polynomial, rational, and radical expressions.
  • Evaluate algebraic expressions.
  • Solve equations involving linear, quadratic, rational, and radical expressions.
  • Graph linear equations and inequalities given the equation and find the equation given the graph.
  • Factor polynomials.
  • Apply algebraic principles and techniques to the solution of applications.
  • Use the symbols and vocabulary of algebra to communicate mathematical concepts.

Many question the value of learning algebra, asking, "When am I ever going to use this stuff?" Even if a student never again uses algebra in the workplace or at home, being successful in algebra makes one smarter and opens more doors to job and educational opportunities.

This class moves quickly, so you must stay on top of it on a daily basis.

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ABOUT THE BOOK ­ READ THIS!

Our text is actually three books, shrink wrapped together. It has ten chapters (but we skip Ch. 9 in this course).

Elementary Algebra: A First Course in Algebraic Thinking (2007), Version 2.03, By Robert H. Prior.

 

You can view all of Chapter 1 on-line

while waiting to get your book!

Mr. Prior has spent many hours thinking about ­ and writing about ­ the mathematics that you will be studying in this course. He has designed the text so that you can learn as you read, oftentimes learning without the assistance of an instructor.

As the instructor, I will be available through e-mail and on-line discussions, but most everything relates back to the book.

Last, this Math 52 textbook is also used on the Norco campus and it contains some sections that we will be skipping in this on-line course. The sections that we do cover are listed in the course calendar.

 

Mr. Prior has also written a Chapter 0 (not required) ­­ that includes pre-algebra topics with which you should already be familiar -- and it is available on-line (see below). This class does not cover Chapter 0, but you may want to look through it in case you are not sure of topics like fractions or percents.

If you want to, you can view all of Chapter 0 on-line.

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HOW TO BUY THE TEXT BOOK

You may purchase the book (see above) by phone or in person.

If you wish to buy it by phone with a credit card, you may do so by calling a local Corona merchant,

Preferred Choice Printing

at (951) 549-0951

680 E. Parkridge Avenue, Ste 100,

Corona, CA 92879

map

Price of book: $79.60

(This is the same price as at the RCC campus bookstores.)

Shipping & handling is $10.00.

You will usually receive your book within 2 business days.

 

This text can also be purchased in person at:

1. Preferred Choice Printing, mentioned above. map

or

2. The RCC Norco campus bookstore (951) 372-7085

 

If you wish to purchase it at the RCC Norco bookstore, you can reserve the textbook (or have it shipped to your home), by going to

RCC Norco Bookstore

Shipping time is not guaranteed.

As mentioned above, you can view all of Chapter 1 on-line while you wait for the arrival of your textbook.

 

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LESSON ROUTINE

A typical lesson will be as follows. On WebCT (our host server for on-line classes) ...

  • In the Course Content Menu, click on Learning Modules
  • Click on a lesson and read the different parts of a lesson (start with the Introduction);
  • From the lesson's Assignment, read the related textbook material, watch the related video tutorial, read the text again, and do the exercises as they appear;
  • In the Assignment part of the lesson, there might also be some on-line activities for you to do to strengthen your understanding of the topic;
  • In the Discussion part of the lesson there might be a discussion topic that you are to write a response to and post it on the Discussion Board in that lesson's Discussion folder;
  • You can also use the Discussion Board to post any questions you may have, or answer any questions that have been posted by others (this will be how I measure course participation); and then
  • For each lesson, there is always at least one quiz and, at the end of the chapter, a test. Information about the quizzes/tests is found within either the Discussion portion of the lesson or a special Assessment portion. Take the quiz and/or test offered at the end of each lesson.

These routines will be explained further at the introduction to each lesson on the course website.

 

Our pace will need to be about one lesson every 4 to 6 days, including weekends and holidays. Each lesson will typically include two or three sections in the book. (See Course Calendar for the schedule of Lessons.) Don't fall behind! It's important that you keep up with the lessons according to the schedule. It's a good idea to write the lessons' schedule on your personal calendar.

 

You can move faster through the lessons if you wish. When you complete the quizzes/test in a lesson, the next lesson will open up for you.

 

Furthermore, you should be spending at least 7 hours per lesson, probably more (that's about 8 - 10 hours per week). These 7 (or more) hours include

  • time reading the book and doing the exercises,
  • time watching the tutorial videos,
  • time on-line doing the Discussion part of the lesson, and
  • time taking quizzes and tests.

This class moves quickly, so you must stay on top of it on a daily basis.

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HOMEWORK

You are expected to do all of the exercises in the book, but I will not collect the homework. You must do it because that's how you're going to learn the material you will be quizzed and tested on.

There are exercises built right into the reading so that you can do them as you read. The answers to these exercises are at the end of that particular section. There are also Focus Exercises at the end of each section; the answers to the Focus Exercises are posted on-line at bobprior.com. You can also get to these from the homepage of our course.

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CALCULATORS

This course does not require or allow the use of a calculator, nor should you use one in your studies, quizzes and tests.

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STUDENT RESOURCES

You are encouraged to take advantage of all of the learning resources available to you:

Math Lab: On the Norco Campus, the Math Lab is located in ST 101. (There are also math labs on the Moreno Valley and Riverside campuses.) For Math Lab hours on each campus, click here.

The math lab is an invaluable resource for students who would like extra help from both math tutors and math instructors. The Math LAB is available to any student enrolled in a math course. Please contact the Norco Math Lab if you have any further questions 951-372-7008.

Tutorial Services: RCC offers up to three hours per week of free tutoring to each student.

Often a tutor makes all the difference in your understanding. Information about Tutorial Services can be found on-line here.

Instructor: I am here to help you in anyway I can. Make sure you reach out to me for assistance.

Unfortunately, with an online class, I can't tell if you are having difficulty with the material unless you contact me via email.

Classmates: In an online course, we have the discussion board.

This is a great place to reach out to your fellow students. Post your questions and within hours you will have a fellow student respond back with help or support.

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MATH LAB HOURS

Here is a table showing the Math Lab hours of each campus. You might want to send an e-mail to the math lab coordinator to verify the hours and ask for the best time to come in.

 

MATH LAB HOURS - SPRING 2010

 NORCO (map)

ST 101

MORENO VALLEY

HUM 220

 RIVERSIDE

MLK 311

 Day

 Math Lab Coordinator:

Bob Prior

bob.prior@rcc.edu
  

Math Lab Coordinator:

Fen Johnson

fen.johnson@rcc.edu
  

 Math Lab Coordinator:

Pam Whelchel

pamela.whelchel@rcc.edu

Monday

8:45 AM - 8:00 PM

8:00 AM - 8:00 PM

8:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Tuesday

8:45 AM - 8:00 PM

8:00 AM - 8:00 PM

8:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Wednesday

8:45 AM - 8:00 PM

8:00 AM - 8:00 PM

8:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Thursday

8:45 AM - 8:00 PM

8:00 AM - 8:00 PM

8:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Friday

8:45 AM - 2:00 PM

8:00 AM - 3:00 PM

8:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Saturday

Closed

Closed

Closed

Sunday

Closed

Closed

Closed

 

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GRADING

Wouldn't it be great if students could learn for the sake of learning without having to be concerned about grades? Unfortunately, most courses don't operate that way, so I have developed a grading system for our class.

Your grade will be based on your work in the following areas

  • 28 Quizzes: about 15% of the total
  • 8 chapter tests: about 40% of the total
  • a Midterm Exam*: about 20% of the total
  • a Final Exam*: about 20% of the total
  • Participation, about 5%

*Special Note: The Midterm Exam and the Final Exam are proctored tests that will be given on the Norco Campus.

 

Extra Credit:

There are two ways to gain extra credit (a maximum of 20 points):

1) The Extra Credit Quiz (It covers Section 6.6, an optional section in this course); and

2) In Test 6 (It has two problems from Section 6.6).

 

Participation includes taking the Syllabus Quiz, reading messages, posting original messages (including asking math-help questions), replying to messages, and answering the questions in the Discussion part of each lesson. The number of participation points (100 maximum) will be calculated by a formula (in my grading program) at the end of the semester.

The Syllabus Quiz is 10% of your participation grade. It does not count toward your quiz grade.

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QUIZZES AND TESTS

Within the course there are 28 quizzes, worth 10 points each. All on-line quizzes are multiple choice.

There are also on-line multiple choice chapter tests. Most are worth 100 points. Test 7 is worth 50 points and Test 3 is a paper test (25 points) that you must mail in.

The Midterm and Final exams are paper tests that are offered at the Norco Campus, and these tests are not multiple choice. Instead, you must show your work on the test to receive full credit.

These on-campus tests are called Proctored Tests and there is more information below. (See Proctored Tests.)

 

Each lesson usually includes one or two quizzes.

You get two chances (attempts) at each quiz. If you get a great score the first time, you don't need to take it a second time. However, if you take a quiz twice, you always get to keep the highest score.

The on-line program should automatically grade the quiz right away. If it doesn't, let me know (through our WebCT e-mail), and I'll fix it as soon as I can. Don't let glitches like that keep you from reading the material in the next lesson.

The on-line tests are to be taken at the end of each chapter in the book. You will be told when it's appropriate to take the tests. You get only one try at each test, so be careful.

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PROCTORED TESTS

The Midterm Exam and the Final Exam for this class must be taken at the Norco Campus Math Lab or with an approved proctor.

Here are links to the Norco Campus street map.

The Math Lab is located in ST 101, on the first floor of the Science and Technology Building (Bldg B on the Campus Map).

The Midterm Exam will be available to each individual student after the student completes Test 5. It is the responsibility of the student to notify the instructor that he/she is ready to take the Midterm Exam. Arrangements will then be made for you to take the test.

If you cannot make it to the Norco Math Lab for one or more of the tests, then you must make arrangements with a qualified proctor to administer the test to you. The test must be taken before the second deadline to drop the class (refer to the Course Calendar). Note:  this proctor must be approved within the first three weeks of the semester.

 

A qualified proctor is

  • a librarian, testing coordinator, administrator, or a teacher at a community college, university, elementary or secondary school;

or

  • a chaplain, testing administrator, or education services officer for the military.

To apply to have tests proctored, you must fill out the Proctor Application Form and return it to your instructor by the end of the third week of the semester.

MIDTERM & FINAL EXAM

SCHEDULE - SPRING 2010
Test  Dates Chapters covered

Midterm

Must be taken on or before April 23.

Ch. 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5

Final Exam

Must be taken on or before June 8.

Whole Course

 

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Course Calendar

The Course Calendar indicates what each lesson includes (textbook sections and quizzes/tests) as well as the recommend completion date for each. Meeting these completion dates will help keep you on schedule.

If you finish a lesson (and its quizzes/test) before the recommended completion date, then you may begin work on the next lesson.

*Notice that Sections 3.1, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 7.2, 7.4 Ch. 9 and 10.4 are skipped in this course.

COURSE CALENDAR - SPRING 2010

 Recommend

Completion Dates

Lesson Sections Quiz/Test

ASAP

Lesson 0

Introduction

Syllabus Quiz

Feb. 21

Lesson 1

1.1 - 1.5

Quiz 1 & 2

Feb. 27

Lesson 2

1.6 - 1.9

Quiz 3 & 4

and Ch. 1 Test

 Friday, Feb 26

The last day to add this class

 Sunday, Feb 28

The last day to drop with a refund

Mar. 3

Lesson 3

2.1 - 2.4

Quiz 5 & 6

Mar. 8

Lesson 4

2.5 - 2.6

Quiz 7

and Ch. 2 Test

Mar. 13

Lesson 5

3.2 - 3.3

Quiz 8

and Ch. 3 mini test

Mar. 18

Lesson 6

4.1 - 4.2

Quiz 9

 Friday, Mar 19

The last day to drop without a W

 After March 19

Chapters 1, 2, and 3 will be closed and no longer accessible.

Mar. 23

Lesson 7

4.3 - 4.5

Quiz 10

Mar. 29

Lesson 8

4.6 - 4.7

Quiz 11 & 12

and Ch. 4 Test

Apr. 3

Lesson 9

5.1 - 5.3

Quiz 13

Apr. 10

Lesson 10

5.4 - 5.6

Quiz 14 & 15

and Ch. 5 Test

April 11 - 16

Spring Break!

A chance to catch up and prepare for the Midterm Exam..

After Test 5

On or before

April 23

Proctored Midterm Exam

On-campus

testing

 After April 23

Chapters 4 and 5 will be closed and no longer accessible.

Apr. 25

Lesson 11

6.1 - 6.3

Quiz 16, 17, & 18

May 2

Lesson 12

6.4 - 6.6

Quiz 19 & 20

and Ch. 6 Test

May 8

Lesson 13

7.1*, 7.3*

Quiz 21 & 22

and Ch. 7 Test

Friday,

May 14

The last day to drop with a W
  If you are enrolled after this day, you will receive a letter grade for the class*.

 After May 14

Chapters 6 and 7 will be closed and no longer accessible.

May 17

Lesson 14

8.1 - 8.4

Quiz 23 & 24

May 24

Lesson 15

8.5 - 8.7

Quiz 25 & 26

and Ch. 8 Test

June 2

Lesson 16

10.1 - 10.3*

Quiz 27 & 28

Last day for test

is June 8

Proctored Final Exam

On-campus

testing
________________ ________________ ______________ _________________

*Notice that Sections 3.1, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 7.2, 7.4 Ch. 9 and 10.4 are skipped in this course.

*If you stop logging in but are still enrolled after the last day to drop, then you will receive a grade of F.

 

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DROPPING THE COURSE

If you are unable to keep up with the weekly routine, or if something comes up so that you can't complete the course, then you might consider dropping the course for this semester.

If you decide to drop the course, please take care of the necessary paperwork yourself, or use WebAdvisor, whichever is most convenient.

If I believe that you have fallen too far behind, or if you haven't checked in to the website for a while (two weeks or more), then I might drop you from this course. (And I might not -- don't rely on me to do the drop for you.)

If you are still enrolled in the class after the second drop deadline (see course calendar, above), you will receive a grade.

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HONOR SYSTEM

Cheating? Don't even think about it. If you find yourself getting tempted, please let me know, and we'll find another way to get around obstacles and get things understood.

Remember, this course is all about learning math, not getting through a course for a grade. The intention is, as you learn you will get good grades, and you will appreciate math more than ever before.

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