MAT070 Internet Course Online Orientation version S2007

1
MAT070 Internet Course Online Orientation(version
S2007)

• Instructor Morris Elsen

2
Welcome!

• This presentation describes the policies and
  procedures used in the Cape Fear Community
  College Internet Math Course, MAT070
  Introductory Algebra
• Step-by-step procedures for joining the course
  are also listed
  
• Guidance for success in the course is also
  included

3
Overview

• The Format of this presentation is Question
  Answer
  
• All items should be read and understood before
  beginning the course
  
• If additional information is desired, I can be
  reached at 910-362-7301 or melsen_at_cfcc.edu

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Whats up with this course?

• This course is a developmental mathematics
  course. Youre required to complete this course
  due to the score you received on the Intermediate
  Algebra ASSET Test or other placement method. It
  is your prerequisite for the following courses
  MAT 080, Intermediate Algebra MAT 140, Survey of
  Mathematics MAT 121 Algebra Trig (Tech Math)
  and other higher level technical and college
  transfer math courses.

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What can I expect to get out of this course,
other than Me??

• This course is designed to equip you with the
  skills and background to succeed in required
  follow-on math courses in either college transfer
  or technical curricula.

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How do I enroll in the class?

• First, you must register for the course at CFCC.
  Details for all aspects of CFCC Distance
  Education are available at http//cfcc.edu/dl
  
• Second, you must obtain the textbook
  Introductory Algebra, 8th ed, Lial, Hornsby
  McGinnis, Addison Wesley.
  
• If you buy a used text, be sure to also purchase
  the supplement that contains your student access
  codes.
  
• Details of mail order purchasing and text book
  costs are available at http//cfcc.edu/dl

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How do I enroll in the class? (continued)

• Third, youll need a Course Name and Course ID
  (obtained from me by email after you are
  registered) that allows you to access the course
  site on the Internet.
• Fourth, youll need a computer system and
  Internet access for that computer.

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System Requirements

• CourseCompass System RequirementsTo work with
  CourseCompass 4.5, your computer must meet the
  following system requirements for operating
  systems, connection speed, and browser versions
• Operating system
• CourseCompass is supported for the following
  operating systems
  
• Windows 2000 and XP
• Macintosh 9.2 and OS X Version 10.1 and 10.2
• Connections and browsers
• CourseCompass requires an Internet connection
  with a minimum connection speed of 28.8 kbps
  (kilobits per second) and either of the following
  Internet browsers. To check your browser version,
  click About from the Help menu.
• Microsoft Internet Explorer, Version 5.x up to
  Version 6.0
  
• Netscape Navigator, Version 7.0
• If you have an earlier version of one of these
  browsers, you can download a newer version from
  the appropriate manufacturer's website
  
• For Internet Explorer, go to http//www.microsoft.
  com
  
• For Communicator or Navigator, go to
  http//www.netscape.com
  
• AOL users You cannot view CourseCompass using
  the AOL browser. You can, however, use AOL as
  your Internet Service Provider to access the
  Internet, then open either the Internet Explorer
  or Netscape Communicator/Navigator browser within
  AOL to access CourseCompass.

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System Requirements (continued)

• Memory 64 MB RAM (recommended), 32 MB RAM (min)
• Monitor Resolution 1024 x 768
• Certain browser plugins and players are required
  to be downloaded for all functions of the course
  to work. The download process is nearly
  foolproof.

10
Will I need an email account?

• Yes. An email account is usually part of the
  service of your internet service provider. All
  students at CFCC have an e-mail associated with
  CampusCruiser. To find CampusCruiser, go to
  http//cfcc.edu
•  This course also requires you to select a login
  name to use when signing on to the course site.
  
  
• I require that you select a login name that
  incorporates your last name in some way.

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What is the Web Site I use to join this course?

• It is http//www.mymathlab.com/ .
• You will need an access code and a Course ID to
  join the course.
  
• After you have completed the first log-in to the
  site, a simpler log-in site is http//www.courseco
  mpass.com/webapps/cclogin/process.do?typessologin
  pagenew_loc2Fwebapps2Fportal2Fframeset.jsp

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How many hours of credit will I receive for
completing this course?

• Due to the developmental nature of this course,
  no credit toward an AA or AS degree or college
  transfer credit will be given.
  
• Your grade in the course will become part of your
  CFCC Transcript (4 credit hours), but is not
  computed as part of your GPA.
  
• No credit for this course will be given for a
  grade of less than C.

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About how many hours a week should I set aside
for this course?

• This course is a four credit hour course, which
  is taught five classroom hours a week when
  presented in lecture format. Two hours of
  preparation for every class hour is the
  recommended mix of study hours.
• Since you will be teaching yourself using text
  and Internet assets instead of class hours, I
  feel that 15-18 hours a week should be devoted to
  the course when new material is being presented,
  less if the material is review.
• To succeed in math, much like in music and
  sports, daily practice is recommended.

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Ive looked at the text how can we possibly
complete it all in one semester?

• We cant.
• Well only cover the review chapter (short) and
  five of the first six chapters of the text.
  
• Well do the review chapter (Chapter R) not only
  for math review but also to develop skills
  navigating this Internet course and its
  associated web site.
• Scores received for the review chapter test and
  quiz will not count toward your overall grade in
  the course.

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What is the pace of this course?

• The pace is your pace within reason. Although
  not entirely a self paced course, the learning
  process, and therefore the methods and tempo of
  each student will vary significantly.

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Whats the best strategy to complete the course?

• I recommend learning / attacking each chapter in
  the following way
  
• Using your textbook only, read a specific section
  (i.e. numbered 2.3 for Chapter 2, section 3) of
  the text chapter, working the marginal exercises
  as you proceed.
• At the end of each text section, go to the course
  homepage and select the chapter and section you
  are working on.
  
• View the video associated with the sections
  material if you feel a formal presentation would
  help. (You could also start each section with the
  video)
• Select the Tracked Tutorial Exercises or Study
  Plan section and work those exercises until you
  feel confident. Use help me solve this and
  view an example as necessary. Seek help if
  required.
• Proceed through each chapter, section by section.

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Strategy (continued)

• There are Weekly Quizzes assigned for specific
  sections of each Text chapter. They are designed
  to keep you on track in your preparation for
  Chapter Tests. They are short and multiple
  choice. They are only available to take during a
  period of ten days. Take them as they are
  assigned.
• Once you have reached the end of the chapter,
  take one of the chapter Sample Tests and review
  the results along with the study plan generated
  by your taking that test. You can take these
  sample tests as many times as you want.
• Complete each and every exercise generated in the
  study plan. Again, use help me solve this if
  required.

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Strategy (continued)

• Retake the sample test. If additional practice
  exercises are generated, complete them. Retake
  the sample test until you are confident you will
  do well on the assigned chapter test.
• Take the chapter test for score. If you are not
  happy with the results, return to the study plan,
  rework exercises until happy with your results
  then retake the chapter test. The higher of your
  two chapter test scores will count toward your
  course grade.
• Repeat the above for each chapter!

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That process seems like a lot of work to me.
Most of this stuff is review, is there a
streamlined way to proceed and still get full
credit?

• There sure is. Just take a sample chapter test,
  work the exercises generated in your study plan
  and, when confident, take the sample test again
  or go directly to the assigned chapter test for
  score. If you do OK, fine. If not, you can go
  back to the longer study plan before taking the
  test one more time.
• You are your own quality control.

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Can I blast through the course as fast as I can?

• Yes and no. I will make assigned chapter tests
  available with enough lead time so that even the
  most industrious students should be able to
  complete each chapter at their own pace.
• You must still take the Weekly Quizzes as they
  are assigned.
  
• For students with very special circumstances, a
  self-paced option of this course is available by
  contacting the Instructor.
  

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Can I wait until the semester is well underway to
begin this course?

• No. Assigned chapter tests for the earlier
  chapters will each have an associated expiration
  date. Once that date has passed, the test is no
  longer available.
• See the Course Calendar for the end dates of
  various assigned Chapter Tests and Quizzes.
  
• You must still take the Weekly Quizzes every week
  as they are assigned.

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How do I know when a Test or Quiz is due?

• The Course Calendar shows every open and
  close date for all quizzes and tests
  
• It is found under
• Take a Test, Study Plan or Chapter Contents
  (buttons)
  
• Course Calendar (link in upper right corner)
• Throughout most of the course,
• If It's Thursday, A Weekly Quiz is due.

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What if I need additional help to understand the
material?

• Your instructor will be available to assist you
  via email and in person during posted office
  hours, on-campus hours and several hours a week
  in the Learning Lab at the LRC (Library).
• There are other math tutors available at the
  Learning Lab at CFCC every day and most evenings.
  
  
• Qualified, college-level tutors are available
  from Addison Wesley (the text publisher), through
  their Math Tutoring Center (MTC). Your Course ID
  Number is your MTC access code. See the Chapter
  Contents (button) for details.

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Help! (continued)

• Also, there is a MyMathLab Discussion Board
  associated with the course, which is available to
  all students as a place to seek peer and
  instructor help when needed. I will check the
  discussion board regularly. This site has worked
  well for answering questions of a general
  nature.
• A set of digital video tutor CDs are available
  for short-term loan from my office.

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How do I prove who I am when taking tests and
quizzes?

• Since this is a developmental course, taught for
  your benefit, I will assume that you have your
  own interests at heart and that you wont cheat
  yourself out of an opportunity to excel.
• All Chapter Tests, Weekly Quizzes and the Final
  will be taken over the Internet.

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How is my grade in this course determined?

• Your overall course grade will be determined by
• Chapter Tests (60)
• Quizzes Homework (20)
• Final Exam (20)
• Students who have earned a grade of 90 or better
  after the Chapter 6 Exam are exempt from the Final

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How is Homework Assigned?

• There are only two homework assignments
  associated with this course
  
• Both homework assignments are non-math
• Both will be found under Assignments from the
  course homepage
  
• Homework assignments are scored as quizzes
• These assignments are due the second and third
  weeks of the course.
  
• After that, all of your grade will be based on
  Weekly Quizzes, Chapter Tests, the Final Exam
  

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Can I miss any Chapter Tests?

• Yes, you can miss one Chapter Test, however, if
  you do miss one, the weight of your Final Exam
  grade will be changed from 20 of your course
  grade to 30.
• A second missed Chapter Test will be awarded a
  score of zero.
  
• Missing any combination of five Weekly Quizzes or
  Homework or Chapter Tests will result in a course
  grade of F

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Will you drop any Chapter Test grades?

• No!

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Will you drop any Weekly Quiz / Homework grades?

• Yes, Ill drop the lowest two Weekly Quiz or
  Homework Grades.
  
• The dropped grades include missed quizzes or
  homework which otherwise would have received a
  grade of zero.
  
• Missing any combination of five Weekly Quizzes or
  Homework or Chapter Tests will result in a course
  grade of F
  

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How can I monitor my grade in this course?

• The web site maintains an online grade book for
  each student. It is in the Course Documents
  section of the site and is titled cryptically
  GRADEBOOK
• This grade doesnt include homework grades
• Additionally, I will post your current weighted
  grade in the course after each Weekly Quiz and
  Chapter Test.
  
• If, at any time, you want a printout of all your
  recorded scores, one can be requested by e-mail.

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What do I do when my computer or ISP setup
doesnt work with MyMathLab?

• Technical help is available from
• MyMathLab Student Handbook (sold as part of your
  text)
  
• The course website in the form of email help
  form, and direct phone links to both the Tech and
  Tutorial staffs.
  
• Customer Technical support for this course can be
  reached at 1-800-677-6337 (Monday-Friday 9AM
  6PM).
  
• Past students have been pleased with the speed
  and clarity of the help they have received from
  this service.

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Can I go to the course site without registering?

• You wont be able to go directly to the course,
  but an overview student handbook is available
  online at
  
• http//www.mymathlab.com/student/viewstudent.html
  .
  
• This site will give you more than enough
  information on how the site is organized and how
  this type of math course works.

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What kind of a calculator will I need?

• You will need a basic scientific calculator for
  this course.
  
• (one that will do exponential functions)
• Some tests and exam problems will be impossible
  without one.
  
• A graphing calculator is not required for this
  course.
  
• If your curriculum will include MAT080, MAT141,
  MAT171 or MAT155 (or higher), you should consider
  purchase of a graphing calculator, since one is
  required for those courses.

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The MyMathLab intro says that Ill need a T1
connection (or better) to use the Multimedia
Text. What if I dont have one?

• The multimedia text is not a serious requirement.
  Use of the hardcopy text will be sufficient for
  this course.
  
• If you desire to view the multimedia text from a
  T1-connected computer, several computers are
  available in both the downtown and north campus
  Learning Labs (with browser plugins already
  loaded).

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What are the Solutions to Common Problems?

• Im having problems logging on.
• Are you selecting the correct textbook?
• Do you have a valid student access code?
• Do you have the course id?
• I cannot view the quizzes or tests
• Did you download all the necessary plugins?
• Did you disable your Pop-Up Blocker?
• When viewing some tests I cannot scroll down far
  enough on the screen to see everything.
  
• Did you set the resolution on your computer to
  1024 X 768? (This is located under
  Start,Settings, Control Panel, Display.)
  
• Technical Support 1-800-677-6337
• Instructor Morris Elsen 910-362-7301 or
  melsen_at_cfcc.edu

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Summary

• This presentation was designed to assist you in
  understanding the nuts-and-bolts of the MAT 070
  Internet Course
  
• The official CFCC syllabus is available under
  Course Documents and on my web site
  http//cfcc.edu/faculty/melsen
  
• If you have questions or suggestions for
  improvement in this orientation please contact me
  at melsen_at_cfcc.edu or by phone at 910-362-7301