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Self-paced Algebra I MTH 003 |
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ALGEBRA I PACE
YOURSELF Self-paced
classes are good for those that are self-disciplined enough to set their
goals, establish a schedule, and stick to it.
Self-paced classes are NOT good for those students who have always relied
on the instructor’s verbal explanation and never tried to read the text or
work out examples to learn new material. The
textbook for this course is meant to guide you through the material with
minimal help from a teacher. Sometimes
you may feel the need for extra help.
We encourage you to ask us questions when the book leaves gaps, but
this should not be your primary method of instruction. Students requiring an instructor’s verbal
explanation to learn math, rather than self-paced learning from the text,
should enroll in a lecture section of the course instead of the self-paced
section. A
schedule of recommended completion dates for each chapter is attached. Try to stay as close as possible to this
recommended schedule. ATTENDANCE Note
that self-paced does not mean no-pace. In accordance with college
attendance policy, students who do not exhibit suitable effort (primarily
demonstrated by taking tests) toward completing the course prior to the
voluntary withdrawal date will be subject to administrative withdrawal.
Returning students should be aware that they are expected to continue to make
progress during the first half of the semester even if their prior work would
have them “on-pace” at the withdrawal date. MATERIALS There are two books to be completed for Algebra I
students: Beginning Algebra (Book I) and Elementary Algebra
(Book II) by Alwin and Hackworth. The use of a calculator is not permitted while testing in Book I. Beginning with Book II, you may use either a scientific or a graphing calculator for all homework and tests. If you decide to purchase a graphing calculator, the TI-83 Plus or TI-84 Plus are the preferred models. Graphing calculator help is available at the following web address: http://www.prenhall.com/divisions/esm/app/calc_v2/frameset_83.html TESTING AND GRADING
You will take a test at the end of each
chapter. You will also take two review
tests: the first covers Book I; the second covers Book II. It
is very important in math that you understand one chapter before you move on
to the next one, since new topics build strongly on previous ones. For this reason, you must get at least 80%
on a chapter test to “pass.” You can
re-test when needed, but there are only three versions of each test available.
Be
sure you are prepared before attempting a test. After your first unsuccessful attempt, we
will ask to see your work in solving certain selected problems from the
chapter before allowing you to test a second time. If you fail three times on
the same chapter you must request permission from the head of the math
department in order to test a fourth time. Since this course does not count as college credit, your
grade is not the usual A-B-C type, but rather depends on the amount of
material you cover. Note that only a
grade of “S” satisfies the prerequisite to take the next higher level math
class.
*If this is your second
semester in the course, and you do not finish, you need to successfully
complete 10 tests beyond where you
stopped the previous semester to earn a grade of “R”. Fall 2010 is the last semester that this “self-paced”
course will be offered at NVCC. Students earning a “U” or an “R” will need
to register for a lecture class or one of the new modular classes in Spring
2011. It is expected that the textbook
for either choice will not be the same as the textbook used in this
self-paced class. SUGGESTIONS
FOR STUDYING Read
“Directions to the Student” on pages v
and vi in your textbook. You will
study all chapters from both books, starting with Book I. For each chapter, complete all Feedback
Units and the Mastery Test. We
strongly suggest that you keep a notebook containing the exercises that you
complete, with your work neatly shown.
The STUDENTS
WITH DISABILITIES The
staff at the POLICY ON
CHEATING Academic
dishonesty (cheating) subjects you to possible disciplinary actions ranging
from admonition to dismissal, along with any grade penalty the instructor
might impose. PACE YOURSELF
Below
is a schedule of recommended completion dates for each chapter. Try to stay as close as possible to this
recommended schedule. ALGEBRA IFALL, 2010
FINAL DEADLINE FOR COMPLETION OF ALL TESTS
DECEMBER 16, 2010MATH CENTER HOURS9:20 A.M.—9:00 P.M. MONDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY9:30 A.M.—9:00 P.M. THURSDAY 9:30 A.M.—6:30 P.M. FRIDAY 9:00 A.M.—1:00 P.M. SATURDAY PHONE: (703) 450-2644 |
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