Central Alabama Community College

Intermediate Algebra – MTH 100 MW Fall 2004

Instructor: K. w. nicholson Office Location: BS 224

Office Hours: See webpage Class Meetings: MW 8 - 9:15 AM

E-mail: nnicholson@cacc.cc.al.us

Office Telephone Number: 256 215 4336 Webpage: caccphysics.cacc.cc.al.us

Course Description: This course provides a study of algebraic techniques such as linear equations and inequalities, quadratic equations, systems of equations, and operations with exponents and radicals. Functions and relations are introduced and graphed with special emphasis on linear and quadratic functions. This course does not apply toward the general core requirement for mathematics.

Course Prerequisites: MTH 092 or MTH 098 or an appropriate mathematics score.

Required Text and Materials: 1. 1 ½ in 3-ring binder 2. Headphones 3. I CAN Learn Authentication code 4. Algebra Workbook, I CAN Learn Education Systems

Note: In order to maintain sanitary conditions, each student must bring his/her personal headphones to each class. Although the first book for this course is free upon buying a software license, any student who loses his/her book is responsible for purchasing a second book.

Course Credits: This is a 3-credit course. Each student will be required to complete 58 lesson objectives in the ICL system in order to receive credit for the course. Students will progress at their own rate and will need to pace themselves accordingly in order to finish the course by the end of the semester.

Students who do not successfully complete this course should reregister and pay tuition for the same course in the subsequent semester in order to begin where they left off. The software license is valid for the completion of the course or one calendar year.

Goals: At the end of this course, students will be able to:

(1) Perform arithmetic and mathematical operations

(2) Solicit the views and opinions of others for solving problems and improving procedures

(3) Think critically, make decisions, and solve problems

(4) Work effectively with others (participates as a team member, and teaches others)

(5) Recognize information most relevant and important to a situation

(6) Acquire and apply new information.

Course Objectives: Upon successful completion of this course of study, students will be able to:

(1) Understand and use the definitions and laws of exponents.

(2) Solve linear equations.

(3) Graph linear functions.

(4) Write equations of lines.

(5) Solve systems of equations algebraically and graphically.

(6) Solve and graph linear inequalities.

(7) Perform operations on polynomials.

(8) Factor polynomials using several techniques.

(9) Perform operations on rational expressions.

(10) Simplify and perform operations on radicals.

(11) Solve quadratic equations by completing the square and the quadratic formula.

(12) Distinguish between a relation and a function, and use functional notation.

Grading Scale: The grading scale is as follows:

A: 90-100

B: 80-89

C: 70-79

D: 60-69

F: Below 60

Method of Evaluation and Grading:

ICL Quizzes 30%

ICL Chapter Tests 50%

Notebook/Homework Assignments 20%

Total 100%

ICL Quizzes: Each student will be required to complete 58 lesson objectives in ICL Algebra system. Each lesson objective will have a quiz that is open book/notes and may be repeated. A minimum score of 70% is required on the quiz in order to proceed to the next lesson objective. The last quiz score will be the grade recorded for this objective.

ICL Cumulative Exams: There will be 5 ICL cumulative exams given throughout the semester on the ICL system. Each cumulative exam will be given after the student completes the appropriate ICL chapter objectives. Each exam can only be taken once and can be only taken during the regular class time. The cumulative exams will be closed notebook/book exams. The cumulative exams will be closed notebook/book exams. Any student caught using his/her book or notebook during an exam will be given a zero for that exam – NO TOLERANCE.

ICL Cumulative Reviews: There will be 5 ICL cumulative reviews given before each cumulative exam. The reviews are elective. The reviews will let students know if they are prepared for the cumulative exam.

Homework: The ICL computer system will assign homework every time a student logs off the computer. Assignments should be written down in the student log sheet. Different homework assignments will be given depending on where the student ends in the lesson objective. Instructors can help if students have questions on the homework assignment. Homework should be kept in the student NOTEBOOK and will be graded when notebooks are collected or at the instructor’s discretion for completeness. Remember homework is vital to the success in any math class!

Student Notebook: Each student will be required to have a 3 ring binder for all class materials and class work. This notebook should include everything that is said or done in the ICL class. Students will have a hard time succeeding in this class without a complete notebook. Student notebooks will be graded during every cumulative exam; late notebooks will be penalized 10%. Notebooks will be graded for completeness, neatness and accuracy. (Refer to the notebook rubric for specific requirements.)

The set up of the notebook is very important!

NOTEBOOK SETUP:

· Syllabus, signed letter, and Student Progress Log should be the first items in the front of your notebook.

· Begin each day on a new page of your notebook and date it in the top right corner.

· You are to have a heading for the days you are absent from class with the reason why you were not in class.

· Write the OBJECTIVE you will be working on at the top of each page.

· Each lesson objective will be divided into five sections: PRE-TEST, LESSON PRESENTATION, GUIDED PRACTICE, and QUIZ.

· Label your page with each of the sections as you do them in your notebook. For example, when you do a QUIZ, you should label the section QUIZ, copy and solve the problems underneath the title.

· At the beginning of each lesson objective you will be given a five question PRE-TEST. If you score 100% on this test, you will be able to skip the lesson and go on to the next PRE-TEST. If you miss a question on the test, you will be placed into a LESSON PRESENTATION that presents the information, definitions, examples, and practice that are necessary to master the objective.

· If you pass the PRE-TEST label it attempt 0 in the Student Progress Log sheet.

· A LESSON PRESENTATION section will follow. Write this section on your paper section and copy all of the definitions, rules, and examples that are given.

· You will then move to a section called GUIDED PRACTICE that you will label and do in your notebook. This section will allow you to practice the material learned in the LESSON PRESENTATION. Problems should be numbered and solved in a neat and concise manner.

· Upon checking this practice with the computer, you will be given a STUDY BREAK. You are to use this study break to read through your work before you take the QUIZ on the objective.

· Before you take a QUIZ verify with your instructor that you will have enough time to take the QUIZ. Each QUIZ has a 45-minute time limit. Any question left unanswered will be graded as a 0. Problems should be numbered and solved in a neat and concise manner.

· If you are successful on the QUIZ (scoring at least 70%), you will be sent to the next PRE-TEST. Write the new objective and continue with the same procedure.

· If you are not successful on the QUIZ, write the solutions to the incorrect problem taken on the QUIZ label it QUIZ Solutions.

· You will return to the LESSON PRESENTATION for review and more practice. Watch the presentations clearly and compare with your notes. Copy any new examples.

· Make a new entry in your notebook and label it “QUIZ” (attempt 2) and date it.

· After the second unsuccessful attempt, you will be notified by a prompt that the teacher must put in an alert password. Have your student notebook open so that the teacher may look over your work and make the appropriate suggestions for success.

· Record all QUIZ grades on the Student Progress Log sheet.

· At the end of the class period, after you log off the computer, you will be given a HOMEWORK assignment by the computer. Write down the HOMEWORK assignment given in your Student Progress Log sheet.

· Make a new entry in your notebook for the HOMEWORK, with the date, objective title, and the assignment, and then complete the HOMEWORK. HOMEWORK is to be placed in your NOTEBOOK immediately after your class work for that day.

Walk-In (Extra Classroom Time): Students may use the ICL system as a walk-in when other classes are in session by using the designated open stations. Open stations are stations 1, 2, 32, and 34. Students may also use classroom assigned stations that are open after receiving permission from the instructor. The instructor has the discretion to allow or not to allow students to use the ICL system during their class. Students MUST sign the login sheet. There is a 1-hour time limit for the open stations when other students are waiting.

Teaching Methods: This will be a computer-based learning classroom using the I CAN Learn Education Systems. The classroom will be self-paced with one-on-one instruction with the instructor. Peer teaching or group work or tutoring may also be used.

Attendance Policy: Students will be expected to attend their scheduled class time regularly, to arrive on time, and to remain through the scheduled class time. If you are absent or need to be absent, your instructor should be notified in advance or within 24 hours of the absence. Place a page in your notebook stating why you were absent for that date. Students are responsible for staying on schedule and completing all of the objectives required for the course. If students have more than 20% class absences, they will not successfully complete the course. Any student who withdrawals from the course or is administratively withdrawn from the course will have to start the course from the beginning.

Academic Honesty: Plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited. Plagiarism can be defined as unintentionally or deliberately using another person’s writing or ideas as though they are one’s own. Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to, copying another individual’s work and taking credit for it, paraphrasing information from a source without proper documentation, mixing one’s own words with those of another author without attribution, and buying or downloading a paper from the Internet.

Classroom Behavior: Electronic devices, such as cell phones and pagers, are not permitted and must be turned off during class. Violation of these policies may result in disciplinary action. Additionally, students are not permitted to bring food or drink into classrooms. Also no children may be brought to class.

ADA Statement: If you have a disability that may prevent you from meeting the course requirements, contact the instructor before the end of the first week of classes to file a student disability request and to discuss a reasonable accommodation plan. Course requirements will not be waived but accommodations may be made to assist you in meeting the requirements, provided you timely in working with the instructor to develop a reasonable accommodation plan.

Disclaimer: The instructor welcomes any student having difficulty with this course to schedule an appointment with the instructor. It is the student’s responsibility to schedule this conference with the instructor. In addition, free tutoring is available through Student Support Services to qualified students.