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Seattle Central Community College Fall Quarter 2009 1263 MATH084_07 Algebra I Monday—Friday 11:00—11:50AM Room BE4156
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Text
Required Blitzer, R.
(2008), Introductory Algebra for College Students, 5th
Edition, Chapters 1-5 Is available for purchase at the SCCC bookstore or you
can lease an electronic online text at http://www.coursesmart.com/9780135024201 You will be registered automatically as a student in this class. Please use your ‘first name_ last name’ as
your student name. Your pass
code is your student number with no dashes. Course Goals
Imagination is more important than
knowledge. Albert
Einstein The
course goals are to: (1)
stimulate your imagination (2)
enhance your understanding of mathematics at a conceptual level (3)
demonstrate and communicate your knowledge to others (4)
develop and improve your self-assessment skills (5)
encourage critical thinking (6)
develop effective study and group skills (7)
apply quantitative reasoning to real world contexts (8)
master the use of a scientific calculator Course Objectives
Listed
here are the mathematical skills you should be able to demonstrate upon
completion of this course: 1.
Demonstrate understanding of basic
arithmetic skills 2.
Simplify and solve algebraic equations
by combining like terms (this includes the appropriate use of the
distributive, associative and commutative properties) 3.
Create and solve linear equations and
inequalities from patterns and data tables 4.
Use numerous problem-solving
techniques such as a sketch or diagram, data pattern/chart, guess &
check, and logic to find solutions to problems requiring critical thinking 5.
Model
data
on the Cartesian coordinate system (for example: line graphs, bar graphs, and
histograms) using appropriate scale and be able to explain why this is
important 6.
Differentiate between the independent
and dependent variables in Cartesian graphs and assign these distinctions to
the variables described in the context of the problem 7.
Describe slope and rate of change, how
these are related to graphs of lines, and what they represent in the context
of the problem 8.
Find the equation of any
straight line using slope/intercept, point/slope, and standard forms of
a line 9.
Find the solution to systems of
equations and be able to explain their solution in the context of the problem Course Expectations
As
a student in this course, you are expected to attend all class sessions,
arrive on-time and be prepared for the daily lesson. Being prepared means
that homework assignments are complete, and you have all the necessary
supplies for full participation in the daily coursework, such as pencil,
notebook paper, graph paper, straight-edge or ruler, scientific calculator,
and composition book (journal). |
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Assessment
Tests and Quizzes Much
of the learning in this class is done through group work, therefore group tests and quizzes are used to
assess your understanding. This does NOT mean that you will get a group
grade. Test problems are complex and require an explanation of your
reasoning. The testing format provides an opportunity to discuss your
solution process with group members prior to writing solution processes in
your own words. A correct answer to a problem is sufficient for a passing
grade (which is a 75% or a 2.0); however, if you wish to earn a higher grade,
you must clearly communicate your thinking and demonstrate your solution
process. The group work is designed to hone your communication skills (this
is a course objective). The individual write-up is how you provide evidence
of your understanding for a formal assessment grade. This process will be explained
in more depth and your questions will be answered prior to the first formal
quiz or test. Small Group/Whole Class Activities Communication
is an important aspect of this class, therefore you are responsible for
providing evidence that you understand the material presented. One way to do
this is to fully participate in small group and whole class activities. The
small group formats provide support to: (1) ease math anxiety, (2) learn to
work collaboratively, (3) develop problem solving and critical thinking
skills, and (4) clearly communicate your solution process to convince others
that your answer is correct. Also, you will be expected to summarize and
communicate your group’s findings to the whole class. The small group you
will be working with to do class work will be the same people in your
quiz/test group; therefore it is important to contribute your thinking,
questions, and insights to the collective process. As a productive group member it is your
responsibility to listen carefully, provide positive feedback, ask clarifying
questions rather than depend upon assumptions, and share your thinking,
concerns, and critique of solution processes with one another. This will be
explained and modeled at the beginning of the quarter. Homework Completing
and handing in homework on time is essential as it prepares you to be a full
participant in the class activities. Daily Assignment (Do
NOT hand in): -
Read through the assigned section -
Work through but do not hand in the Warm-up exercises
and the section examples -
Try some of the odd numbered problems at the end of the
section. Make sure to try out a couple from each of the different parts of
the exercise section. Do as many of these as are necessary to feel
comfortable with the procedures. Check your answers with those listed at the
back of the book to check your understanding. If you are struggling with
these, ask questions in class and get help at the tutoring center. Hand-in Reading Response Questions: When you think you
understand the material in the section, neatly and clearly answer each of the
reading response questions listed
on the course calendar, providing evidence of what you understand and can do.
Include questions from the on-line
WAMAP homework that you need clarified. You receive 10
participation points for handing in the reading
response questions. On-line assignment: When you feel confident
that you understand the material presented in the section and can perform the
required skills then complete the WAMAP
assignment. I strongly recommend that you do the assignment each night
so that you are prepared for the daily in-class assignment. Go to WAMAP: Online
Homework Access, log in using your ‘first name’ _ ‘last name’ as your student name and
your pass code is your student number (with NO dashes). Find the homework
section you just studied. Open and complete the problems for the section. You
can print the problems, work on them off-line (get help at the math lab,
etc.), and then go back to the computer to submit your answers. If you are
NOT satisfied with the grade you receive, you can ask for a new problem. Once
an assignment is submitted, the grade you receive is recorded. On-line
assignments can be completed ahead of time; however the final submission date
is midnight before the quiz/test.
After midnight, the problems can be worked on for reviewing for the test, but
the grades will not be changed or recorded. Daily in-class process -
Put your reading response questions on the front table -
Pick up your file folder and put away graded worked -
Start working on the in-class problems listed on the
board. The problems are chosen to represent the important concepts covered in
the section. Start working on the
problem assigned to your group first. -
When your group agrees to the solution process, have
one person from the group put the solution steps on the board so that others
in class can follow your solution process. -
When your assigned problem is posted on the board,
start working on the other problems. As your group completes the other
problems, jot down your evaluation of the solutions posted on the board. This
evaluation should include two things done well and one area to improve. This
process should only take 15—20 minutes of class time. In-class problems are
posted on-line. It is a good idea to examine these problems before class. You
will want to record problem solutions as we discuss them in class (if absent
get notes from others in your group) as study guides for the quizzes and
tests. I
will (1) share college announcements, (2) discuss the reading response
questions handed in at the start of class, (3) take questions about
procedures from the book and from the on-line homework, (4) ask for an
explanation and peer evaluations of the work posted on the board, and (5)
introduce the mathematics concepts and procedures for that evening’s
homework. Grading The
proposed grade distribution is 30% for class participation and reading
response questions, 20% on-line homework; and 50% for tests and final exam. ·
Quizzes and tests are
given weekly. Quiz problems are
similar to the in-class problems worked on that week; while tests are
cumulative, meaning that the test questions can be taken from any of
the problems worked on in class. Quizzes are worth 50 pts, Tests are 100 pts.
Since quizzes and tests are designed for working in groups, it is important
that you make every effort to attend, arrive on-time, and be prepared. There
are NO MAKE-UP tests or quizzes. The lowest quiz grade will be dropped and
the lowest test grade can be replaced with the grade received on the final
exam. ·
Final Exam: 100 pts,
collection of problems similar to tests and quizzes covering the entire
quarter. The final exam is a required test, however it will replace the
lowest test grade received that quarter. ·
Participation: You will receive
10 points for each day that you attend class. Points are deducted if you
arrive late or leave early, are not able to attend a session, and for
disruptive and disrespectful behavior. The 10 attendance participation points
cannot be made-up even for excused absences. Also, an additional 10 participation points
are earned if you hand in a reading response sheet for the section
covered that day. If you are absent and want to receive the 10 points for the
reading response sheet, then that must be submitted (email is fine) before
the class session or upon your return to class. All reading response
questions must be answered to earn full points. Do not copy “stuff’ from the
book; rather put it into your own words. ·
On-line Homework (WAMAP) is worth
10 points. The points given on-line
are re-adjusted to a ten point scale. These are worth 20% of your grade for
the course and are required. The assignments should be completed daily, with
final submission by midnight before the test or quiz. If
you feel that the grade distribution does not adequately reflect your
understanding of the mathematics in this course, then I encourage you to make
an appointment to discuss it with me during office hours. This must be done
sometime before the last month of
the quarter.
“NC” (No Credit)
grades are NOT given under any circumstances. If you want to withdraw from
the course, request a “W” grade before the published deadline. “I”
(Incomplete) grades are only given in strict conformity with the college
catalog. Specifically, a student must be in “good standing” to request an
Incomplete. For this course, “good
standing” will mean, at a minimum, a current grade of at least 2.0. “I”
grades can only be requested in situations and circumstances that are out of
the control of the student. Please read the catalog for details. I reserve
all rights about when and if an “Incomplete” will be issued. It is your
responsibility to request and submit the signatures and paperwork required
for “W” and “I” grades by the deadlines established by the college. Assistance
Late and Make-up Work If
you are unable to attend class contact me as soon as possible to explain the
situation and discuss options. It is also important to notify your group
members, as they will have to function without your input (you can also ask
them to take notes during the classes that you cannot attend.) Tutorial
Assistance I am available to help clarify or provide
tutorial assistance. However, (since I have approximately 100 students each
quarter) please discuss the problem with your group members first. Make an
appointment to speak with me if your group members are unable to help you. I
am also available to work with the whole group. If
you need tutoring assistance on a fairly regular basis, the math lab is in
SAM106. Individual Needs For
help with dealing with math or test anxiety, please make an
appointment to talk with me. We can discuss your particular issues and devise
a plan to help you be successful. Math
and Test Anxiety Information Sheet. Students with
Disabilities Statement
Students
with documented disabilities, who
need course accommodations, have emergency medical information or require
special arrangements for building evacuation should contact the instructor
within the first week of class. The instructor reserves the
right to reasonably adjust this syllabus if deemed necessary and will make
available written changes for students to add to this document. |
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Course Calendar
The
Course Calendar is not fixed, but rather is a working document which
may change as we progress through the material. I will inform you of any
changes to the calendar as they arise.
The homework site
is at WAMAP:
Online Homework Access Full
credit for WAMAP homework is only given when responses are received before the day of the test. Reading
Response Questions are listed on the day they are due. Write out the question and your response; provide evidence of your understanding.
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