SCOTT GENTILE
GATEWAY LECTURER, ASSESSMENT COORDINATOR,
AND COMMON CORE COURSE COORDINATOR
DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS
HUNTER COLLEGE OF THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK
GATEWAY COURSE STRUCTURE
Courses
Standardization
• Math 101 (College Algebra)
• Math 125 (Precalculus)
• Math 150 (Calculus I)
•Common Syllabus , Grading System, and
Homework (MyMathLab)
•Common Final Exam
DEPARTMENTAL ACTIVITIES
 Council of Coordinators
Biweekly Meetings to Discuss General Issues
Meetings as Needed to Discuss Assessment
Regular Oversight and Advisement of Adjunct Faculty
 Faculty Development Day
Adjunct Faculty Trained by Coordinators
Presentations on Issues Relevant to Teaching
Presentations by Successful Faculty on Teaching Habits
Review of Assessment Data and Results from Previous
Semester
ASSESSMENT DATA COLLECTED
Diagnostic Testing and Survey
Course Pass Rates
Final Exam Scores and Pass Rates
Learning Outcomes
• Analyzed Using Questions from the Final Exam
WEAKNESSES OF ONLINE HOMEWORK
Poor with topics such as graphing, verifying
identities, and complex word problems.
False sense of security due to too many
learning aids.
Lack of practice with offline written work
similar to a test environment.
SOLUTIONS TO WEAKNESSES
Written Homework
Periodic Written Quizzes
Periodic Online Quizzes (with learning tools disabled)
Problem Sets \ Practice Exams
Early Intervention
CHANGES TO PRECALCULUS (MATH 125)
More MyMathLab Problems Assigned
More Written Homework Collected
• Graphing (Polynomials, Rational Functions, and Trig. Functions)
• Verifying Trig Identities
• Solving Trigonometric Equations
Online Quizzes Introduced
Expanded Use of Problem Sets \ Practice Exams
Less Generous Grading System Implemented
RESULTS: FALL 2010 VS. SPRING 2011
Math 125 – Fall 2010 Proficiency Rates
1. Quadratic Optimization Problem 50%
2. Graphing a Rational Function 48%
3. Half‐Life Application Problem 57%
4. Trigonometry Application Problem (Law of Sines) 20%
Math 125 – Spring 2011 Proficiency Rates
1. Computing a Difference Quotient 80%
8. Graphing a Rational Function 62%
15. Verifying a Trigonometric Identity 59%
17. Solving a Trigonometric Equation (with Factoring) 56%
OTHER ASSESSMENT ACTIVITIES
 Calculus
Results of Calculus Curriculum Change
Comparison of Lecture and Hybrid Formats
 Diagnostic Exams
 Math 100 / Math 102 (General Education /
Liberal Arts Math Courses)
Standard Assessment
Comparison of Lecture, Hybrid, and
Online Formats