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ALGEBRA
II Self-Paced PACE YOURSELFSelf-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. To be successful, students taking a 16-week course should expect to spend at least 6 to 8 hours per week studying in addition to the time spent on testing. 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
Required: · Graphing calculator: The preferred models are the TI-83 Plus or TI-84 Plus · Text: Intermediate Algebra, tenth edition, by Bittinger. · Student Access Kit for MathXL o If you purchased a new textbook, the Access Kit is bundled with the text. o If you purchased a used textbook, you can purchase the Stand-Alone Access Kit separately in the Loudoun campus bookstore or online at www.mathxl.com and by clicking on the Buy Now link. Highly recommended: · Students’ Solutions Manual for the textbook . RESOURCES
Be sure to use all the resources whenever you encounter any problems ·
MathXL is an online homework, tutorial, and assessment system
designed specifically for your textbook.
Your homework assignments will be done in MathXL. MathXL includes
videos, animations and other study aids. See the handout for MathXL for
details for registering online. ·
Blackboard, which will be made available for this course around September
10, will have multimedia resources for every topic in Math 4: including video lectures, animated
minilectures and Power Points. ·
AW Math Tutor Center:
Your Access Kit also gives you access to an online Tutor Center. Visit the
homepage: http://www.aw-bc.com/tutorcenter/math.html · CDs: The Math Center has a set of CDs that accompany the text. · Calculator help: Video tapes are available as well as an online tutorial. http://www.prenhall.com/divisions/esm/app/calc_v2/frameset_83.html · You may find these websites helpful throughout the semester: Math Center: http://www.nvcc.edu/loudoun/math_lab/ Math Department: http://www.nvcc.edu/loudoun/scidiv/math/ TESTINGAll tests will be taken in the Math Center. You will take a test at the end of each chapter. Note that Chapter 1 has been divided into three units for testing purposes. You will also take two review tests. The first covers Chapter R through 4; the second covers Chapter 5 through 8. Chapter 9 is not included in the course objectives.
Prior to your first attempt at the test for a unit, you will be expected to have completed the homework in MathXL for each section of the book that applies to that test. You must have obtained a 70% or better on each section of the homework before being allowed to test. 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 unit test to “pass.” Be sure you are prepared before attempting a test. RETESTINGYou can re-test when needed, but there are only three versions of each test available. After your first unsuccessful attempt, we may ask to see your work in solving certain selected problems from the chapter and/or require that you complete your MathXL homework with a grade of 80% or better before allowing you to test a second time. If you fail a second time on the same unit the policy is the same as above except that you need to present a 90% or better on the MathXL homework. If you must make an additional request to retest on the same chapter, you will have to meet with the head of the math department to discuss further retesting. GRADES 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 5 tests beyond where you stopped the previous semester and at least through Chapter 5 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. 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.
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