Math 123 Distance Learning

Syllabus

Instructor: Sonja Manor Spring 2010

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Sonja Manor

Mailing Address:

Office Phone:
Office Location:

Office Hours:

Fax:

E-mail:

Web:

Cuesta College Math Dept.
San Luis Obispo, Ca.
93403-8106

(805) 546-3100 Ext. 2823
Building 3300 Office #3436
(Second floor new building next to the library).

By Appointment on TR 5:30-6:30 PM
Email me for an appointment

(805) 546-3232

smanor@cuesta.edu

http://academic.cuesta.org/smanor/index.htm

COURSE INFORMATION

ABOUT THIS
ON-LINE COURSE

This is a beginning Algebra course that meets the math requirement of many two-year degree programs and is a pre-requisite for math courses leading to a four-year degree.

Instead of attending classroom lectures, you work through a series of computer-mediated lessons. Without the structure and routine of attending class, it is very important that you be able to stick to the schedule of assignments given. THIS IS NOT A SELF PACED CLASS!

Your main contact with me will be through e-mail and through my web page. You will be responsible for checking and responding to e-mail messages from me and checking my distance learning homepage regularly. It is important that you communicate any problems you are having. Since I will not see you daily, it will be up to you to set a regular schedule, ask questions, and get help.

Math classes are time consuming, so realize that success in this class represents a large commitment of your time and energy. This is a 5 unit college- paced course. This means that for every hour you spend working through an on-line lesson, expect to spend 2 more hours studying and completing homework. You need to plan your studying time very carefully and stick to your plan.

The student learning outcomes for this class can be found at: http://academic.cuesta.edu/math/courses.htm

PREREQUISITES

The prerequisite for this course is completion of Math 7 (Pre-Algebra) with a grade of C or better, or the equivalent. If you have not taken the pre-requisite course within the last year, you are strongly encouraged to take the placement test offered by the counseling office.

Algebra expands the basic processes of arithmetic; therefore it is very important that you be comfortable with arithmetic before starting this course. If you are not comfortable performing operations by hand with negative numbers, decimals, fractions, or percents, you should sign up for Math 7 (Pre-Algebra) rather than this course. Student Learning Outcomes for this course can be found at http://academic.cuesta.edu/math/courses.htm.

ADD/DROP POLICY

Students will be added as space permits.

If at any time you feel you need to drop the course, notify me by e-mail. Then officially drop the course through the admissions office. Do not assume that I will do so for you. The last day to drop without a W is Febuary 16th. The last day to drop with a W is April 10th. Please note that you will not be able to get a refund for the software license after you have purchased it.

COMPUTER INFORMATION

TECHNICAL
REQUIREMENTS/
ASSISTANCE

You must be equipped with an IBM compatible computer with internet access and e-mail. You need to be familiar using your home computer, email, and internet. I do not recommend using a Mac with a PC platform. The following specifications are required:

You must be equipped with an IBM compatible computer with internet access and e-mail. The following specifications are Required:

WINDOWS 2000,XP or Vista

Processor speed 1 Ghz

Memory 256 MB or more requirement

Disk Space 200 MB

Internet connection Recommended a cable internet or DSL connection

Throughout the semester, if technical problems arise, you can e-mail me and I will help in finding appropriate assistance. If you can not access e-mail for any reason, call my office phone number and leave a message.

The technical assistance number for Hawkes is:
1-843-571-2825

REQUIRED COURSE MATERIALS

Book: You must purchase a book and software from the bookstore. You can not purchase a used book. The book is Introductory Algebra by Franklin Wright Hawkes 6th addition. The CD has a license number on the outside of the envelope. SAVE THIS NUMBER. If you open the book and CD, you can not return it.

Calculator. You will need to bring a calculator to the Exams (except the first exam).. I recommend a TI-36 solar by Texas Instruments (under $20). Your calculator must perform the proper order of operations, and be able to handle nth roots and exponents. A graphing calculator is not necessary and will not be allowed on tests.

Graph Paper. I require that all graphing be done on lightly lined graph paper. It helps keep work neat and orderly. The bookstore carries green Engineers computation pads by Alvin.

5 Required Parts

There are five parts to the class: 1) On-campus written exams 2) Online homework (certifies) 3) Written Book Homework 4) Online Web Practice Tests 5) Comprehensive Final

REQUIRED
ON-CAMPUS
TESTS

There will be five exams and a comprehensive final exam. All exams are closed book. A scientific calculator is allowed on all tests except the first. YOU MUST HAVE A PHOTO ID TO BE ADMITTED TO EACH EXAM.
See schedule for test dates. Currently there is only testing available on SLO campus.
There will be no make up exams for any reason even illness. You must take all the exams or you will be dropped from the class.

Sections:
Test 1: Sections: R2-3.6
Test 2: Sections: 4.1-4.6
Test 3: Sections: 5.1-5.5
Test 4: Sections: 6.1-7.4
Test 5: Sections: 7.5-10.4

SLO CAMPUS
You will take your exams in room 3301 (new building next to the library) between 5:30PM and 7:00PM on Tuesdays (See schedule for dates). If you need to schedule tests at a different time, you must email me at least 1 week in advance.

AFTER HOURS TESTING

There is limited additional testing hours through the assessment/matriculation center on SLO campus. Our test proctor, Bruce Follette, will be available during limited hours. If you use this option, you must test on the day closest to the scheduled tests. No late tests! If you need to test during a time other than the time on the schedule, please email me and email Bruce : nfollett@cuesta.edu. Bruce has very limited hours and you must work with his schedule. If Bruce does not receive an email a week in advance he will not be available. The testing center is located in room 3414 on the second floor of the new building (take a right at the top of the stairs) on the right hand side of the computer lab.

Your exams are worth 55% of your total grade and will consist of between 20 and 30 problems. The final exam will consist of between 40 to 50 problems. It is worth 25% of your grade. The problems will be very similar to the problems you do for homework. You will see that these problems are moderately difficult to difficult and require several steps to complete. You must show all work for credit.

Online Assignments

For each section, you will be working through online instruct, practice, and certify (which is like your homework). Your certify score is 10% of your grade. Must get at least an 80% to pass the certify. You must complete each certify within 3 days of the due date to avoid a late penalty.

HOMEWORK

You learn by doing mathematics. Homework for each lesson is assigned from the Personal Academic Notebook. (Refer to the Math 23 distance web page). There are also additional homework activities that you must access through the homework assignment web page (Click on the links and do the activities). Submit homework in a neat and orderly fashion. Presentation counts!! Late, sloppy or irritating papers will be returned unread with no credit. Here are the guidelines for preparing homework:

You must do all work neatly on a separate piece of paper.

Homework must be done in pencil.

All graphs must be done on the lightly-lined side of the graph paper.

Start each new lesson assignment on a new piece of paper with the section clearly labeled. You may use both the front and back sides of the paper.

Put your name and the lesson number in the upper right hand corner on the first page of each assignment, then staple the assignment in the upper left hand corner. It is critical that I can identify from which section number and page number you are working.

You must show all of your work for each problem. No work = No credit.

Homework will be handed in on the day of the exam. You may pick up your graded homework in the lab 3301. It will be ready for you to pick when I notify you via email..

Late Homework is not accepted. A homework assignment must be 90% complete to receive credit.

Your homework will be recorded as a percentage of the total number of assignments completed. Your homework points will be determined from that percentage.

WEB TEST

At the end of each module there is a web test. You have two chances to take the web test (The highest one counts). They will take you about 2 hours and give you practice for the test. The web test is due the day of the written on-campus test.

GRADING

Your grade will be based upon the following distribution:

Certify ........................…......….10%
Written HW...............................5%
Sample Test..............................5% Exams.....................................55%
Final Exam.............................25%

A     90-100%
B     80-89%
C     70-79%
D     60-69%
F      below 60%

GETTING HELP

E-mail. If you get stuck on a homework problem, or on-line lesson problem, you can e-mail me the page number and problem number, if it is from the book, or the lesson number and screen number if it is from the on-line lesson. I will post a solution to web page.
Fax. You can print out the Fax form off the class website and fax me a question. I will fax you back the answer.
Phone. You can make a phone appointment with me or call me during my office hours.
Office appointment. I am available for office hour appointments Thursdays from 5:30-6:30 PM. You must email me by noon that day if you would like me to be there.
Math Lab. As a Cuesta College student, you are entitled to use the Math lab. The math lab has several math tutors. You can also access the class software (Hawkes Learning System) from the math lab.

DISCLAIMER

Although every effort will be made to adhere to the policies, procedures, and schedules outlined in this syllabus, I reserve the right to revise any information without prior notice.