MTH 1 Section 001A Developmental Mathematics Spring Semester 2011 Northern Virginia Community College – Alexandria Campus Meeting Time and Room: AA 377, Mondays 8:30 AM to 10:20 AM Instructor: Dr. Bruce Wahl Office: AA 352 Email: [email protected] Phone: Office 703-845-6342; Division 703-845-6341 Office Hours: In my office (AA 352): Mondays, 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM and Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:00 AM to 9:30 AM and 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM By Appointment in my office (AA 352): Wednesdays, 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM Tutoring in the Math Lab (AA 161): Wednesdays, 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM Instructor’s Master Math Lab Hours: AA 161, Wednesdays 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM Textbooks / Supplies: This class requires you to have a MyLabsPlus access code ISBN: 0558927181 which includes an electronic copy of the textbook. You may purchase a paper copy as well. If you choose to get a paper copy of the textbook, the textbook is Math Essentials for College. Volume I (ISBN: 0558913725) covers Units 0-5 and Volume II (ISBN: 0558874371) covers Units 6-9. It is recommended that you do not purchase a textbook until your starting Unit is determined. After completing Unit 1, students will need a scientific calculator. Students will need a 3 ring binder or a pocket folder with brads to hold their notes and course checklist. Introduction: The purpose of this course is to develop competency in the skills that are necessary to succeed in college-level mathematics courses. This course does not count as credit for any degree or certificate at NOVA. This is a personalized instruction course. This course will allow you to skip sections of material in which you already can demonstrate competency and concentrate on the material in which you have difficulties. You will work through a structured set of activities under the close guidance and support of an instructor and tutors. You will meet for two academic hours (1 hour 40 minutes) per week in a computer classroom with your instructor and will also attend the Master Math Lab for a minimum of two hours per week. In most four credit hour college courses, students spend an average of 10 to 14 hours per week working on course material and studying to be successful in the course. In this course, you will be required to spend two hours per week in the Master Math Lab in addition to the time you spend in class. To be successful, you will need to spend several additional hours working on the course activities, beyond these required hours. You are always welcome and encouraged to spend more time in the Lab where tutors are available. Your success in this course will be enhanced by the amount of time you spend doing math. Course Format: All of the course materials will be delivered via MyMathLab. You will view all of the video lectures and PowerPoint Presentations, work all of the homework assignments, and take all of the quizzes and tests on MyMathLab.MyMathLab: MyMathLab is an online textbook-based diagnostic evaluation and tutorial program designed specifically for this course. It includes an electronic copy of the class textbook, a variety of multimedia instructional resources, unlimited practice exercises, self-paced learning modules, online testing, and an individualized study plan. MyMathLab is supported and maintained by the publisher’s web server and the required plug-ins for this tool are standard. MyMathLab is delivered inside a web-based course delivery system called MyLabsPlus. The web address for NVCC MyLabsPlus is http://nvcc.mylabsplus.com. All students have access to MyLabsPlus from the first day of the semester until day 21 of the semester. Day 22 all new students will need to have purchased and entered a MyLabsPlus access code. If the access code is not entered, access to all course materials will be lost. If you have questions or need assistance with MyLabsPlus, email [email protected] or call (888) 883-1299. Course Units: Each Unit consists of a pretest, three modules, a practice test, a review homework assignment and a posttest. The contents of the modules are described in the next paragraph. Everyone will start each Unit by taking the pretest. If you achieve 80% or higher on the pretest, you may advance to the next Unit. If you receive less than 80% on the pretest, you will work though the three modules in the Unit. Once you complete all three modules, you will take the posttest. You must get 80% or higher on the pre or post test to move on to the next Unit. Each pretest can only be taken once but the posttest can be taken multiple times until 80% or higher is achieved. If you do not get 80% or higher within two attempts on the posttest, you must work with your instructor before you can take it additional times. Posttests can be reviewed immediately after completion or with the instructor. You also have a practice test and posttest homework assignment to help prepare you for the posttest. You must pass each unit, in order, before going on to the next. All pre and post tests must be taken in the Master Math Lab where a Lab employee will enter a password to allow you to access the test. Course Modules: Each course module consists of video lectures, a PowerPoint presentation, a homework assignment and a quiz. A new module should be completed every week. For each module, start with the PowerPoint slides and video lectures. As you view these items, take notes to assist you with the homework. The note outline for the module is the minimum amount of notes that should be taken. For further examples and clarification, read the sections in the book (paper or electronic) and take more notes. The notes need to be checked by your instructor before you complete the module and will count towards your final grade. Next complete the homework. A homework assignment may be worked on at multiple times (it does not have to be finished in one sitting) and must be corrected until at least 90% is achieved. While it is only required for you to complete the homework to 90% mastery, is it highly suggested to complete it to 100% correctness. Lastly, take the module quiz. All quizzes must be taken in class or in the Master Math Lab. You may take a quiz twice without getting special permission, but if you do not get 80% or higher within two attempts, you must work with your instructor before you can take it additional times. Quizzes can be reviewed immediately after completion or with the instructor. You must pass each module,