--Laurie Wern Overmann
August 25, 2012
“Students learn math by doing
math not by watching someone
else do math”
 Students listen to the instructor while taking notes.
 Students work on MA101/MA102 ALEKS or MA134
MyMathLab during class. Instructor and additional
graduate student are available.
 Students work on ALEKS or MyMathLab after class
with many resources available.
1. Structure of Typical
Beginning/Intermediate
Algebra MA101/102 Class
 Students have a primary instructor and two graduate




students split between two classrooms.
Students work with a software product ALEKS.
Students work within a course structure; they have 10
written quizzes (10%) on intermediate objectives.
Students keep a notebook (10%).
Students have a midterm (10%) and final (70%) exam .
Resources in
Beginning/Intermediate
Algebra MA101/102
 These are helpful learning resources:
ALEKS explanation
Excellent mathematically accurate
explanations.
Access to textbook
Within ALEKS program
Video Links
With each ALEKs explanation
Supplemental
Materials
Videos and virtual mathematic activities
within ALEKS
Khan Academy
Videos
Link www.khanacademy.org under Watch
tab, Math, Algebra. Type a topic.
Grades MA101/102 Beginning
& Intermediate Algebra
 10%
Notebook
 10%
Quizzes
 10%
Midterm
 70%
Final Exam
 MA101 is CR/F. Students receive elective credit. “CR”
has no impact of GPA; “F” has impact on GPA.
 MA102 is A,B,C,D, F. Students receive elective credit.
 Students can and are urged to complete both courses
in one semester but must complete MA101 by October
to be successful.
1. Structure of Typical College
Algebra MA134 Class
 Before the day a section is covered:
 Students read notes before class time.
 Students do the Practice (unlimited) and Mastery Quiz
(only twice).
 All MA134 students share a common website http://cstlcsm.semo.edu/ma134/. Videos on troublesome topics
are available on the MA134 website.
2. Structure of Typical College
Algebra
MA134
Class
 In class:
 The instructor will give a brief introduction to the topic.
Students should take notes so student have worked out
examples and explanations.
 Students will keep a notebook (to be scored) this
semester.
 Students work on a Classwork assignment in class. This
must be done during the class.
 Students have 7 written quizzes, 3 common exams and a
common final exam.
Resources in College Algebra
MA134 MyMathLab
 In MyMathLab, there are several helpful buttons.
Help Me Solve This
Exercise “walk through” in small steps
Similar Exercise
Generates a new exercise for practice
Video Link
Shows a video explaining how to do a
related exercise
Textbook Link
Links to the pages in the textbook to help
with this type of exercise
Ask My Instructor
Ask My Instructor sends an email to your
instructor with a link to your exercise
Grades MA134 College Algebra
 15%
 55%
 10%
 20%
Getting Ready Quiz, Classwork, Homework
Three Tests
Quizzes
Final
Student Requirements
 Bring a notebook to class every day
 Bring a calculator (not a phone) which cannot be
shared during tests or quizzes
 Students have access to an e-textbook.
 Students read and do some problems from the online
software.
 Students may use electronic music devices.
Student Help Resources
 Math Learning Center
 Johnson 112 – computer lab with math tutors
 Johnson 104 – math tutors without computers but with
WIFI connection
 Monday - Thursday ….8 am to 5 pm
 Friday …. 8 am to 2 pm
 Sunday …6 pm to 9 pm
(the building will have at least one door open)
 Learning Assistance Programs (3rd floor UC)
 Other tutoring labs are on campus (Towers)
Tutoring Best Practices
 Be supportive …. you are much better at math than
they are. Be patient with them.
 Understanding is better than memorizing. Avoid “use
this formula” or “do this trick”. For instance, expand
2
 2 x  5 by distribution instead of using a formula.
 Try to use the same techniques used by the instructor
to avoid confusion.
 Encourage them to show work. Supportive work is
expected and given points on tests.
Questions?