Course Syllabus
GREAT BASIN COLLEGE SUMMER 2015
MATH 091 – 1001, Basic Mathematics, 3 Credits
Online Jun 1 – Jul 10
GENERAL INFORMATION:
Instructor: Art Naffziger, GBC Elko Office: DCIT 105, Office Phone: 753-2244 (Leave message). The instructor may also be contacted through ALEKS mail.
Course Textbook & Materials: Internet access and an 11 or 18 week access code for ALEKS 360. ISBN 9780077894696 for 11 week access code/ISBN 9780077843250 for 18 week access code. You can purchase the access code from the GBC Bookstore or online at Purchase of the ALEKS 360 access includes the online "homework", assessments, exams, and a complete online e-book of the text (Prealgebra, 4th Ed, Baratto& Bergman).
ALEKS Course Code: JRFRV-GVCJC (You need this and your access code to register in our class in ALEKS. Go to and click on New User? Sign up Now! An access code may be purchased online during the Sign up process.)
Additional Material: Inexpensive scientific calculator, or four function calculator.
Additional Information: See the Web Campus Modules section for additional information on ALEKS and this Math 091 class. Reviewing these resources is highly recommended as they provide valuable information about ALEKS that will simplify your use of ALEKS, including Registration Information, and a detailed orientation on using ALEKS. Available resources include:
1. ALEKS Student Orientation.
2. Class Schedule for Summer 2015.
3. Exam Information for Summer 2015
4. Proctor Info for Summer 2015
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The course introduces the fundamental operations of whole numbers, integers, fractions and mixed numbers, decimals, percent, ratio, rates & proportion, measurement, geometry, graphing of equations, and polynomials. The course is intended to provide a review of basics needed in later math courses and on the job. There is no prerequisite for this class. This course does not fulfill the math requirement for any degree, nor will it count as an elective for any program.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Apply arithmetic operations to whole numbers, integers, fractions, mixed numbers, decimals, percents.
2. Convert between decimals, fractions, and percent.
3. Evaluate and simplify algebraic expressions.
4. Understand and apply ratios, rates, and proportions.
5. Solve proportions for an unknown, including proportions involving decimals, fractions, and percents.
6. Solve linear equations, and application problems involving the use of equations.
7. Be familiar with measurement and conversion between measurement units.
8. Work with roots and exponents.
9. Find the perimeter, area, and volume of a variety of basic geometric shapes.
10. Graph linear equations.
11. Be familiar with simple statistics (mean, median, mode).
12. Understand and apply formulas in solving problems.
13. Add, subtract, multiply, and factor simple polynomials.
MEASUREMENTS FOR LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Students should demonstrate their knowledge of achieving the learning outcomes by mastery of ALEKS topics, completing the two assessments, and satisfactorily completing the two exams given during the session.
COURSE STRUCTURE:
Math 091 is not a math course taught in a traditional setting. It is a mastery-based course implementing ALEKS by using an internet connected computer. There are a total of 315 topics in the ALEKS program, and your task will be to master as many of these topics as possible. ALEKS is individualized, allowing each student to progress through the lessons designed to meet his or her goals for specific skills and mathematics knowledge in preparation for the next level mathematics courses. Students will access ALEKS essentially working on their topics anytime and anyplace an internet connection is available. Each student's particular lessons are based on the results of an initial assessment taken at the beginning of the course. These results exempt individuals from those topics that the assessment shows have been previously mastered. This allows for instruction through tutorials for those areas where mastery has not yet been attained. Two scheduled assessments during the session ensure that students are mastering topics. For success in this and future mathematics courses, it is imperative that each student accepts responsibility for staying on track as much as possible in his/her individualized program of study in the course This course is designed to meet each student where they are mathematically. Students come to the course from varied educational backgrounds with varied knowledge. Therefore, the amount of time required for course mastery varies from student to student. You must judge the amount of time required yourself, and spend that time in mastery of your topics. Students should usually plan on spending a minimum of 5 - 20 hours per week on ALEKS. Don’t under estimate the time required. Unless you are already fairly familiar with the topics covered, you will often find that you need to spend more time on the class than you thought would be required. (NOTE: ALEKS is an awesome tool when you keep up with the schedule, but it can be overwhelming if you fall behind. Don’t get behind!!!!)
METHOD OF INSTRUCTION:
Instruction is totally online using ALEKS for online homework (the ALEKS Pie), assessments, and testing. Students will work to master topics from the objectives in the ALEKS pie chart. Completion of the topics is your only homework and accounts for 40% of your grade (If you should see any reference to “Homework Due”, it may be ignored). ALEKS includes explanations of concepts, reviews, and videos to supplement the instruction. Additional help is available in the Supplementary Information section of the Web Campus Modules. Included are class notes, tutorials, and other videos which relate to specific subjects covered during each chapter. The class has two Objectives. Objective 1 (Chap 1-5), due June 18; and Objective 2 (Chap 6-10), due July 9. In addition, two Student Assessments will be required during the session. These assessments will be similar to your initial assessment. The ALEKS calendar is always available to show you the due dates of the objectives, assessments, and tests. If you have questions at any time concerning anything about the class, ALEKS, or the subject matter being covered, please submit them to the instructor at any time via ALEKS mail.
GRADING/EVALUATION/USING ALEKS:
The student’s grade is based on topics completed in the ALEKS Pie Chart, the two assessments, and the two exams. No extra credit work will be available. Grading for the pie items is based on the number of topics mastered divided by the total number of topics, and equates to 40% of your total grade. Pie objectives are due at 11:59 PM on the last day of the period allotted to each objective as shown in the ALEKS calendar. If you complete Objective 1 prior to the due date, you may proceed on to Objective 2. (Note: ALEKS will notify you when each objective has been completed.)
There are two assessments that appear shortly before each of the two tests. The assessments are not proctored. The two scheduled assessments count for 20% of the student’s grade. These assessments are similar to the initial assessment taken at the beginning of ALEKS. Be sure to carefully consider your responses when completing the assessments. Wrong answers can result in topics being added back to your pie since ALEKS will assume you need more study in those topics. Assessments must be completed by 11:59 PM on the last day of the period allotted to each assessment as shown in the ALEKS calendar. Since this is an assessment and not a test, grading will be based on an 80% criteria. This means that if you score 80% or better, you will receive the full 10% (10 point) grade. Example: Assessment score = 60%. Grade = 60/80 =.75. Your assessment grade is 10 pts x .75 = 7.5 pts/10. Note: Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed before you will be able to access any other activity in ALEKS.
There are two exams which count for 40% of the student’s total grade. Exams are proctored, and will be taken at an approved Testing Center. All students who registered for this class with an address located near a GBC Center will be expected to test at that center. GBC Centers at Battle Mountain, Elko, Ely, Pahrump, and Winnemucca will be able to provide proctor services. For other students, exams may be taken at test centers available at TMCC in Reno, Western Nevada College, and College of Southern Nevada. If the above listed test centers are not within a reasonable distance from your residence, you may propose a different test center closer to you, or you may choose to use an independent proctor. (Note: Students not living near a GBC Center must inform me not later than June 9 of your proposed testing center/proctor.) If you choose an independent proctor, it is the students' responsibility to find a qualified proctor. See the Proctor page in the Modules section of Web Campus for suggestions for a proctor. Once approved by the instructor, the student must provide the proctors contact information (name, phone number, E-Mail) to the instructor so the tests may be made available to your selected location (It is the students’ responsibility to know when their test location is open or schedule an appointment if required). Otherwise the tests may not be available there for you. The expectation is that you will take your exams on time and on the dates specified. If for some unique reason, you cannot take the tests at the scheduled time and place, you must notify the instructor as far in advance as possible. If notification is made to late, it may not be possible to reschedule the test. Except for very unique circumstances, the only makeup given will be for verified medical emergencies. Because of the short time period of the summer session, it may be necessary to issue an “I” grade if tests, etc are missed for valid reasons. Dates and other information concerning the exams may be found in the ALEKS calendar and the Exam Information Page in the Modules Section. Note: Be sure to bring a photo ID to the Test Center. Test Centers will require ID before allowing you to test.
ALEKS and the internet are not perfect. It’s possible that you may experience difficulty at times in accessing ALEKS due to internet, server, or computer problems. Additionally, there will be a learning period as you adjust to ALEKS. Reviewing the resources listed in the “Additional Information” section above can help reduce this learning period. These types of problems are not acceptable reasons for any extension to the due dates. Only verified extended medical conditions will be accepted as a reason to give the student additional time to complete the ALEKS objectives. Therefore, please do not procrastinate in completing your objectives. Only two objective are required each covering five chapters of the text, a lot of material. To satisfactorily complete each objective, you will need to spend sufficient time to complete the homework (My Pie) and complete it on time (The ALEKS calendar will always be able to show you the due dates for the objectives and the exams). Remember, ALEKS objectives/topics count for 40% of the total grade.
Grades are distributed as follows:
100 through 94 / A
93 through 90 / A-
89 through 87 / B+
86 through 84 / B
83 through 80 / B-
79 through 77 / C+
76 through 74 / C
73 through 70 / C-
69 through 67 / D+
66 through 64 / D
63 through 60 / D-
Below 60 / F
Point Distribution Summary:
ALEKS Objectives = 40% (2 objectives x 20% per objective)
Two Assessments = 20% (2 assessments x 10% per assessment)
Two Exams = 40% (2 exams x 20% per exam)
Total = 100%
ALEKS topics/objectives, and exam grades will be posted only on ALEKS. The final session grade will be available through “My GBC” after the session ends.
Consult the Great Basin College catalog for information on “I” and “W” grades.
PLEASE NOTE: The final date to withdraw from class for no grade is Wednesday, June 24, 2015. NSHE requires that grades be issued to all students enrolled in class after that date. It is the responsibility of the student to withdraw from class either online or at the Admissions and Records office.
LECTURE/HOMEWORK/CLASSROOM:
This is an online class which requires you to schedule your time for study and homework. ALEKS is the source for homework (“My Pie” chart), and is the primary source for concept explanation, reviews of the material, access to the E-text, and videos. Class notes, other instructional videos, and tutorials are available in the Supplementary Information section of the Modules Section with material applicable to the various chapters of the text. Use these resources as necessary to supplement the material in ALEKS and the E-Text. Remember that the ALEKS Pie Chart contains all your homework. Any other reference to “homework” may be ignored. Your only homework is completion of the topics in the ALEKS Pie. Use of your time to complete the ALEKS Pie, consult the E-Text as necessary, and review the class notes, videos, and tutorials is entirely up to you. However, you must meet the scheduled due dates for the objectives, the assessments, and the exams. An online Math course requires much more initiative than a live classroom session. Self-motivation is critical to accomplishing the requirements of the course in the time available. Pay attention to the schedule, review the text, class notes, videos, and tutorials, ask questions when in doubt or unsure; and complete the ALEKS Pie on time. The only "in-class" requirement is for the two exams. The scheduled date for these exams can be found in the Class Calender in ALEKS, and the schedule posted on Web Campus. Be sure to contact the instructor if you have any questions concerning the Pie, the exams, or anything else related to the course. Send me your questions through ALEKS mail. Questions are best answered when they arise!
AVAILABLE RESOURCES:
Prealgebra can be a difficult subject to master. However, you can take steps to increase your probability of success.
1. If you have problems with the concepts presented in this class, and/or difficulty in completing the homework, get help fast. Otherwise, you may find yourself so far behind you can’t catch up.
2. Please contact me or another knowledgeable person for help if you don’t understand questions or concepts.
3. Other steps you can take include:
a) Work on your pie chart on a regular and timely basis. You learn by doing;
b) Do some math every day. The best way to retain the topic concepts is to practice.
c) Utilize the detailed explanations and instructional videos in ALEKS, and the information in the Web Campus Modules.
d) Do not procrastinate in completing your pie. Allow yourself enough time to complete the ALEKS topics in case you run into technical difficulties.
f) There are numerous math resources available online. An Internet search will reveal them.
4. Don’t wait to get help if you are having problems with the material. If you get behind, you may not be able to catch up. It’s your responsibility to take advantage of help available, and put in the time necessary to ensure you understand the material, and pass the class.
5. Remember, your success in this course is your responsibility.
EXPECTATIONS:
Some students will find this class easy, while others will find it difficult to challenging. However, whatever your ability and background, to succeed in this course, you must complete the ALEKS objectives, complete the two assessments, take the exams, and stay current with the class schedule. You are expected to ask questions, and seek clarification, direction, and/or guidance on any class assignment, topic, concept,etc, which is unclear. It is expected that you will spend the time necessary for you to complete the objectives/topics and be prepared for the exams. The amount of time required for this will vary for each student. You must necessarily judge the amount of time required yourself. However, students should usually plan on spending a minimum of 5 - 20 hours per week on ALEKS. Don’t procrastinate. Create a study schedule so that you don’t fall behind on assignments. As mentioned previously, ALEKS is an awesome tool when you keep up with the schedule, but it can be overwhelming if you fall behind. If you experience any problems in the class either with the material, the testing, meeting the scheduled dates, or anything else, please contact me as soon as possible. I will work with you to the extent possible to solve your issues. Don’t wait until it’s too late.
STUDENT SUPPORT:
On the Elko Campus, the Student Support and Retention office provides individualized coaching to students who are struggling in college, either academically or personally. The office houses both professional staff and peer mentors to help students navigate obstacles in their college experience and reach their academic goals. For more information visit http://www.gbcnv.edu/retention/ or call the Retention Coordinator at 775-753-2255. Please be aware that the coaching and mentoring offered through the Retention office is different from the tutoring available at the ASC. While tutoring at the ASC focuses on subject specific tutoring, the Retention office focus is on helping students self-identify what obstacles are keeping them from being successful (poor time management or study skills, vague personal goals, mental health issues, family/social obligations, etc.), and then guiding students to strategies and resources that will help them be more successful. This assistance is available for all GBC students.