A New Way to Learn
Mathematics
My Math Lab
George Patton
•“Accept challenges, so
that you may feel the
exhilaration of
victory.”
ON-Line Learning
• Student Uses My Math Lab for Homework,
and Chapter Tests
• Student Responsible for Deadlines
• Attendance Crucial
• Organized Notebooks Crucial
• Graphing Calculator Required
– TI-84+ or TI 83+ Recommended
How to Be Successful
• 1. Attend Class Every Day
• 2. Have an Excellent Notebook
• 3. Watch Deadlines and keep ahead of time
schedule
• 4. Use All Resources Available
• 5. Keep a Positive Attitude!
Success is Not
Magic!
Attendance
• Attendance is Crucial for Success!
• Be On Time – Tardy is the same as
an absence.
• If Absence – Leave message –
phone or e-mail
Homework - Notebook
• Take good Notes in Class
• Organize Notes after class – transcribe
material from text as needed including
major concepts and Examples.
• 3-Ring Notebook with dividers
• Use Colors to emphasize ideas
• Ongoing process – Notebooks used on Tests
Homework Preparation
Resources
• My Math Lab – Videos of Content
• My Math Lab – Power Point
• My Math Lab – after unsuccessful try, help
is given. Make notes about method to do
problem
• My Math Lab – after 3 tries, ask for a
similar problem
Resources
• Study Center – Free Tutoring – walk in or
individual - *** Use This!!!!
• Groups – Form a Study Group
• Buddy – Have a contact person if you have
to be absent
• Videos – videos (CD’s) in Learning
Resource Center (library)
Resources Continued
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Instructor Web Page
Power Point Slides
How To Study
How to Take a Test
Power Point Presentations
Each Chapter - Overview of Content
Computers
• My Math Lab needs a good Computer with
access to internet – high speed best.
• Have a Back Up Plan and a
Back up to the Back Up Plan
• In case personal computer goes bad.
• RCC – Library – Labs – Public Library
Excuses
• Saying that the computer went bad is NO
EXCUSE!.
• Saying that you waited too late is NO
EXCUSE!.
• Saying you forgot the deadline is NO
EXCUSE!.
• The Only Excuse is having died and been
reincarnated. (Does not happen often.)
Homework - Doing
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Have all Resources Available
Have Calculator, Textbook
Have Notebook that is updated
Have pencil and paper – Do all those
problems that need to be worked out
completely with pencil and paper – then
record the answer on my math lab
• If Incorrect – make notes in notebook
Homework – Special Notes
• Homework can be tried unlimited times.
• One can start homework and go back to a
problem set.
• My Math Lab keeps track of your
homework grade
• Be Very Careful in Entering Answers
• READ INSTRUCTIONS
Homework
• Best Score Counts
• Strive to be ahead of Deadlines
• Never settle for less than 70%
• Strive for 90% or better
• Instructor can see how much time you use
Homework difficulties
• If one has a problem that is one you
absolutely cannot do, make a hard copy of
the problem and take it to the Study Center
or the Instructor
Contacting Instructor
• If e-mailing instructor – be specific – give
your entire name, give your course and
section number (or time)
• Be specific on problem –
• The Instructor cannot change what is a
correct answer in My Math Lab.
Common Homework Errors
• Using a decimal instead of a fraction
• Rounding to different amounts that
requested.
• Be careful of parentheses
• Use the math palate that comes with My
Math Lab
• Double Check answer before submitting
Chapter Test Preparation
• Do the Homework for the chapter sections
discussed and assigned.
• Strive to reach 90% or better on homework.
• 70% is the absolute minimum one should
accept. Less than that and the test will be
very unsatisfactory grade wise.
Study Plan - Practice Tests
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All Chapter Tests have a practice test
Tests that count are the “A” tests
Practice tests are the “B” tests
Take the B test – then use the Study Plan
and that will show you where you are weak
and provide problems to practice on these
specific problems.
Study Plan - Continued
• Those students who consistently use the
Study Plan could add 2% to their overall
grade.
• This can make a major difference in
borderline cases (between an A or B)
Chapter Test Continued - Time
• You are allowed 180 minutes for the chapter
test on My Math Lab.
• Most students range from 30 minutes to 90
minutes.
• Do not start and leave the computer for any
length of time – after 180 minutes you will
be shut out by My Math Lab.
Chapter Test – Continued Retakes
• You are allowed to retake the test as many
times as you desire until Deadline!
• Doing a retake will not better a grade unless
more studying is done.
• BEST Score Counts on tests
• Strive to have at least a 70% or better on
chapter tests.
Grading
• Percents will be announced
• Homework is ___% of grade
• Tests are ___% of grade
• The Final exam and other items are __% of
the grade.
Success is Within Your Reach
• You Can Pass this Class!
• Attend – Organize Notebook
• Do Homework – above 70%
• Do Tests – above 70%
Mathematics Help
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Help is available in Study Center
Help is available in Class
Help is available from the Instructor
Help is available on My Math Lab
– Power points
– Videos – Practice Tests – Study Plan
– How to do homework Problems
Major Points to Success
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View Class as a To Do List!
Attendance is Crucial
Stay Ahead of Deadlines
Get Help whenever You Need It.
Use All your Resources.
“Build up your weaknesses until they
become your strengths.”
Knute Rockne – Notre Dame football coach