Ventura College Fall 2008
Math 10 Prealgebra
Instructor Information: Mrs. Michelle Beard
Office hours: M-Th 8:00-8:30 and 12:30-1:00 in SCI-244
10:30-11:20 Fr
Class Information: Section 78495 online course
The prerequisite for this course is Math 9 or equivalent
or math assessment test
Contact Information: E-mail at mbeard@vcccd.edu for general information
Contact by phone: 654-6400 (ext. 2286)
E-mail at mabeard12@yahoo.com for questions
concerning course content. It is my goal to be available to help you! I will check e-mail daily and will respond to any questions within 24 hours. If you need to speak with me, it is best to call me during my office hours or to e-mail me a phone number and time to reach you.
Materials:
- A scientific calculator is recommended, but not required for the class. There will be certain portions of the material where you will not be allowed to use a calculator. Please adhere to these instructions when working at home, so that you are best prepared for the mid-term and final exam.
- Prealgebra (third edition) by Blair, Tobey and Slater; published by
Prentice Hall
- Since this is an online course, the following materials will also be necessary to complete online work: PC computer with internet access (DSL, cable, or high speed connection is recommended) and Windows (Math Lab programs do not run on a Macintosh), Internet Explorer (with pop-up blockers disabled), and a valid e-mail address (Please be sure that your email address is updated on Webstar). If you have difficulty meeting these requirements, as a VC student, you can use any of the computers in the LRC Beach; each of these computers are fully capable of running all of the needed resources.
Homework: Homework is an important part of your success in this course. It is the only way that you can demonstrate understanding of each section. All homework will be done on-line through Math XL, which is accessed through Course Compass. Each section will have a corresponding homework assignment. All of the chapter’s assignments must be completed on/before the day preceding the chapter test. You will not be allowed to complete previous homework assignments, once the chapter test has been taken. To aid you in completing your homework and thoroughly understanding the material, the following aids are available: on-line textbook, power point presentations, video lectures, discussion boards, and sample tests.
Discussion Board: Since this is an online course, one of the most beneficial ways for you to communicate with other students and with the instructor is through the use of the discussion board. For each chapter, I will post topics (challenge problems, discussion questions, incomplete solutions…..). These topics are meant to challenge your mathematical skills, encourage group work, and allow you to help each other on assignments. Any student who responds to a post and comments on at least one other student’s post will be given 5 extra credit points on that chapter test.
Exams: There will be eight chapter tests, one mid-term, and one comprehensive final exam. The lowest chapter test score will be dropped. The mid-term and final will be paper tests, administered on campus, but each of the chapter tests will be taken on-line. All chapter tests must be taken by the deadlines posted below:
Test #1---Chapter 1 Friday, August 29, 2008
Test #2---Chapter 2 Friday, September 12, 2008
Test #3---Chapter 3 Friday, September 26, 2008
Test #4---Chapter 4 Friday, October 10, 2008
MID-TERM Saturday, October 11, 2008
Test #5---Chapter 5 Friday, October 24, 2008
Test #6---Chapter 6 Friday, November 7, 2008
Test #7---Chapter 7 Wednesday, November 21, 2008
Test #8---Chapter 8 Friday, December 5, 2008
FINAL EXAM Saturday, Dec.13, 2008
Tests are the responsibility of the student! Calculators and/or notes may be used; however, unlike the homework, there will be no examples or on-line resources, and each student is allowed to attempt each problem only once.
Grading: A= 90-100% Homework: 20% of final grade
B= 80-89% Tests: 40% of final grade
C= 70-79% Mid-term: 15% of final grade
D= 60-69% Final Exam: 25% of final grade
F= below 60%
Drop Policy: Though this is an online class, attendance to the class is very important. Your attendance is noted by completed assignments, completed tests, and responses to message boards. If you fail to log in to the course by the end of the first week of class, then you may be dropped from the course. If, at any time during the semester, you fail to check in for two weeks, then you may be dropped from the course.
Extra Help: The Tutoring Center (in the first floor of the LRC) is open M-Sat and offers free tutoring help for any VC student. There is always a math tutor on site, so feel free to contact any of these tutors for additional help.
Technical support is available during business hours at Customer Technical Support: 1-800-677-6337.