Spring 2010 MA 22300: Online Homework Instructions Intro This semester, most of your homework will be completed online using a program called MathZone. There is a direct correlation between time spent on homework and success in the course, so it is highly recommended that you take the homework very seriously and spend sufficient time working on it. A few problems are not available in MathZone. These are noted on the assignment sheet in bold, and you must work these problems from the text. (There are copies of the text on reserve in the Hicks Undergraduate Library, should you decide not to purchase a text.) Only Lesson 31 will be worked by hand and collected; however, the other bolded problems are covered on quizzes and exams, so be sure to work them. Compatibility To use MathZone, it is critical that your computer setup is compatible with the program. If you are using versions of programs that are not supported by MathZone, you will experience a great deal of frustration due to the problems that will occur. The most frequent source of problems is using an unsupported browser. An unsupported browser will cause difficulties such as no answer box appearing, correct answers being graded as incorrect, scores not being recorded correctly, etc. Further, an unsupported browser may work fine for some lessons but not for other lessons. You will suddenly experience difficulties but not realize that your browser is the source. For this reason, be absolutely sure to run the Plug-in Checker before working any problems, to insure that you have all of the correct programs and settings. Once the Plug-in Checker has been run, a link is provided for any changes that need to be made to your system. If you need any other help with the computer requirements of MathZone, you should call 800-331-5094. The hours telephone support is available are Sunday, 7 pm – 12 am (midnight); Monday through Thursday, 9 am – 12 am (midnight); Friday, 9 am – 7 pm. Note that it is not recommended that you contact MathZone by email, as it may take more than 24 hours to get a response. If you are having problems with your computer, you cannot miss a homework deadline. Rather, you will need to use an ITaP computer (running the Plug-in Checker) to complete the homework on time. This means that you will want to be sure to attempt each homework before the evening it is due. Time Zone All online homeworks are setup using Eastern Standard Time, following daylight savings time. You will want to set your computer to local time, so the homeworks are available and due at the right times. Registering If you purchased MathZone previously, you do not need to purchase it again. You should login with your previous user name and password (call the MathZone support line at 800-331-5094, if you do not remember your user name and/or password). Enter the Student Section Code for this semester (on the far right). This will complete your registration. First time users: A powerpoint presentation, that explains how to register for MathZone, is available on the course web page (www.math.purdue.edu/MA22300). Two codes are needed to register. Your instructor will supply one code. This code is the Student Section Code. Additionally, you must purchase a registration code. If you purchase a new text, the registration code is included. If you are unable to buy a text right away, you can purchase just the registration code using the MathZone site (a credit or debit card will be needed) or at the bookstore. Note that it will be less expensive to purchase the registrationSpring 2010 code online than at the bookstore. As you register, be sure you enter the Student Section Code exactly as given (it is case sensitive and you will need to type in the dashes). If you have any problems registering, call 800-331-5094. Before the next class meeting, you must register for this semester’s MathZone, so you will be ready for the first online assignment. Completing an Online Homework The first online assignment is the homework that accompanies Lesson 5. Entering answers is always an issue, but with a little persistence, students do succeed. If you need assistance in entering answers, please contact the MathZone Coordinator ([email protected]) or call 800-331-5094. In MathZone, after submitting three incorrect answers, the correct solution will be shown to you. You are then given an opportunity to work another problem, to receive credit on the homework, by clicking the Try Another button. The Lesson 5 homework is due by 7:00 pm on Monday, January 25. Each homework is due at 7:00 pm on the evening of the next class session after the lesson. That is, the Monday homework will be due by 7:00 pm on Wednesday, the Wednesday homework will be due by 7:00 pm on Friday, and the Friday homework will be due by 7:00 pm on Monday. This does not give you time to work the entire assignment after class. It only gives you time to finish one or two problems that were difficult for you, which you had to ask your instructor to demonstrate in class (using the text problem that is similar to your online problem; note -- your instructor will not work your online problem). You will have unlimited attempts, until the deadline, to earn credit for each problem in the assignment. However, after three incorrect attempts, a solution to your problem will be given and you will have to “Try another” to get credit. To save your answers and return later to continue an assignment, do not use the Submit button. Instead, be sure to check the last answer you enter, move to another problem (to lock in your answer) and log out at the top of the page. You will notice that problems which are correct will turn yellow when you move to another question and those that are not correct will stay blue. Only when you are completely finished with an assignment and move to another problem (to lock in your last answer) should you use the Submit button. Each time you re-enter an assignment, only the problems that have not been answered correctly will appear. Once you Submit an assignment, you can still re-enter the assignment. However, this time, you will get new versions of the problems that have not yet been answered correctly. At the deadline for the assignment, your assignment will automatically be submitted, in case you forget to use the Submit button. All assignments are