Course Syllabus
Math 081 (Saturdays) Syllabus - Fall 2017
COURSE INFORMATION
Course Prefix: Math 081
Course Title: Modular Math Lab
Course Credits: 5 credits
Course Prerequisites: None
Course Dates: September 30 to December 9, 2017
Course Location/Times: LIB 215 / Saturdays 8:00 AM to 12:10 PM
Required Access Code: ALEKS Users Guide - Quarter Term
Publisher: McGraw-Hill, ISBN 9780072453720
INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
Instructor: Sandy McArthur
Office/Office Hours: RAH 204A / by appointment
Phone: 253-231-2103 (cell)
E-mail: Sandy.McArthur@seattlecolleges.edu
COURSE CONTENT
This course covers all developmental Math courses (083, 094, 098). Students will be diagnosed for specific needs and will be given objectives to complete (only needed topics will be required to progress). The instructor will always be present during class time. Some course work may also be done on home computers.
Grading:
Math 081 is a placeholder course number. Throughout the quarter and at the end of the quarter each student will be assessed based on the completion of their individual assigned objectives within the ALEKS software. Students will be transferred into the appropriate course number based upon their overall progress and receive a grade in that corresponding course, i.e. MAT 083, 094, or 098.
Your final grade will be determined as follows:
Average of Successfully Completed Online Objectives - 30%
Average of Objective Test Scores - 40%
Final Exam - 30%
94% & up = 4.0 82-83% = 3.2 74% = 2.4 66% = 1.6
93% = 3.9 81% = 3.1 73% = 2.3 65% = 1.5
92% = 3.8 80% = 3.0 72% = 2.2 64% = 1.4
91% = 3.7 79% = 2.9 71% = 2.1 63% = 1.3
90% = 3.6 78% = 2.8 70% = 2.0 62% = 1.2
88-89% = 3.5 77% = 2.7 69% = 1.9 61% = 1.1
86-87% = 3.4 76% = 2.6 68% = 1.8 60% = 1.0
84-85% = 3.3 75% = 2.5 67% = 1.7 below 60% = 0.0
COURSE GUIDELINES
Course Structure:
This course is intended and designed to be one quarter only. The course will utilize ALEKS software (www.aleks.com) to diagnose those areas of conceptual knowledge that students need to gain proficiency in, within the range of math topics from Pre-Algebra (Math 083) to Algebra 3 / 4 (Math 098). This software will be available for purchase beginning on the first day of class. From this diagnostic assessment an individual learning plan will be created by the ALEKS software for students to study. We have found that many students may require a refresher in fractions, for example, but do not need 11 weeks of Arithmetic. This course and software will address this issue. The goal is for students to spend the quarter studying only those topics for which they need to gain mastery and then move on into another class format the following quarter. Please refer to the ALEKS Course Component document for a breakdown of objective contents.
Objectives:
The course content from MAT 083 through MAT 098 is found within 16 objectives inside your ALEKS course. ALEKS will have you begin with a tutorial and then will take you right into a comprehensive assessment (Initial Knowledge Check). The assessment is used to determine what objectives you will need to study. In other words, the comprehensive assessment creates an individual learning plan for you within the ALEKS software. This learning plan or pie will guide your studies throughout the course. Your successful completion of the objectives assigned to you through ALEKS will comprise 70% of your grade.
Course equivalents: MAT 083 - Objectives 1 - 6
MAT 094 - Objectives 7 - 11
MAT 098 - Objectives 12 - 16
Assessments:
There will be a test following each completed objective and a final assessment in this course. IMPORTANT: You must click on Assignments in ALEKS after completing each objective and take the test for that objective (you will not be taken there automatically). You might click on Review before taking each test to see all the possible topics, since you may not have seen these when doing the "homework". (You will have gotten credit for knowing some topics from the Initial Knowledge Check.) The work in ALEKS can be done at home or in the classroom (hopefully both). All the ALEKS course work (except the final exam) must be completed by 11 AM on December 9. The final exam must be completed by 12:10 PM that day.
The final assessment (exam) for this course is scheduled for Saturday, 12/9/17 from 8:00 AM to 12:10 PM. The final exam will cover the overall course content from your individual learning plan. You may take this early, if you complete all the objectives before the quarter’s end. The final exam must be taken in the classroom. You will either take the final exam for Math 083 (if objectives 1 - 6 are completed), Math 094 (if objectives 1 - 11 are completed), or Math 098 (if all 16 objectives are completed). You will take only one final exam. For the final exams for Math 083 or 094, only the ALEKS calculator may be used. No notes are allowed on the final exam.
Study Skills
The Tutoring Center offers free Study Skills tutoring. Students use these skills in order to learn well and get the grades they want. Topics include:
- Take Good Notes That Will Help You Study
- Understand What You Read
- Do Your Best on Tests
- Avoid Procrastinating.
If you seriously aim to succeed in college, go to RSB 12 to request a one-to-one 45 minute tutoring session. If you have questions or would like more information, contact Marianna Asaturova, Manager of Tutoring Services at 206 934-6650 or email her at Marianna.asaturova@seattlecolleges.edu.
Materials:
While the only requirement in this course is the purchase of the access code, some students may find it helpful to have other resources at their disposal as learning aids during the quarter. There are some resources that are free and available online and there are some that require fees to access. Listed below are a few options or sources for further information, if needed.
Free or Open Sources: Fee-based Resources:
www.khanacademy.org www.mathtv.com
Student Learning Outcomes:
- Communication - Read and listen actively to learn and communicate
- Computation - Use arithmetic and other basic mathematical operations as required
by program of study. Apply quantitative skills for personal, academic, and career
purposes. Identify, interpret, and utilize higher level mathematical and cognitive
skills (for those students who choose to move beyond the minimum requirements).
- Critical thinking and problem solving - Think critically in evaluating information,
solving problems, and making decisions.
- Personal responsibility - Be motivated and able to continue learning and adapt to
change. Value one’s own skills, abilities, ideas, and art. Take pride in one’s work.
Be aware of civic and environmental issues.
- Technology - Select and use appropriate technological tools for personal, academic,
and career tasks.
Syllabus Disclaimer:
This syllabus is a contract between myself, the instructor, and the students registered in this class. At any point during the quarter items within this syllabus may change. I will provide ample and repeated notices, should such changes be necessary.
Special Needs Accommodation Statement:
Disability Services provides academic accommodations for students with a documented, permanent, or temporary physical, mental, or sensory disability. By providing reasonable academic adjustments based on an individual’s need for services, Disability Services assists students in pursuit of their academic goals at SSCC. The office is located in RSB 12.
Students are entitled to two days of excused absences per academic year for reasons of faith or conscience or for organized activities conducted by a religious organization. These absences will not affect your grade, but it is your responsibility to inform your instructor about the planned absence and to make arrangements to complete the course work for those days. You must request the excused absence two weeks prior to the date of the absence. If you wish to request an absence for reasons of faith or conscience, you may obtain a form and guidelines for completing the form from the division office (UNI building).
Student Learning Outcomes Addressed:
- Computation -- Use arithmetic and other mathematical operations as required by program of study; apply quantitative skills for academic and career purposes.
- Communication -- Read and listen actively to learn and communicate.
- Critical Thinking and Problem Solving -- Think critically in evaluating information, solving problems and making decisions.
- Technology -- Select and use appropriate technological tools for personal, academic and career tasks.
- Personal Responsibiliy -- Uphold the highest standard of academic honesty and integrity; respect the rights of others in the classroom; attend class regularly; complete assignments on time; do class-related projects and activities; abide by appropriate safety rules in the classroom.
- Information Literacy -- Independently access, evaluate and select information from a variety of appropriate sources; use information effectively and ethically for a specific purpose.
Academic Dishonesty Definition/Policy Statement:
WAC 132F-121-120 Instructor sanctions for course work dishonesty.
- An instructor need not give credit for course work that is the product of cheating,
plagiarism, or other dishonesty. For any act of dishonesty that occurs during an
instructional course, the instructor may adjust the student’s grade accordingly for the
particular examination, paper, or other work product where that dishonesty occurred.
Any such grade adjustment shall not limit or preclude disciplinary sanction(s) for the
same act of dishonesty.
- With regard to any act of course-related dishonesty, classroom misconduct, or other
academic misconduct, the faculty member involved my notify his/her dean, with
supporting documentation. The dean shall then determine whether to refer the matter to
the vice-president for student services for possible disciplinary action.
- A student who has received a grade adjustment by the instructor on the basis of
dishonesty may grieve that adjustment under the student complaint procedure.
However, any disciplinary sanction that is imposed instead of or in addition to an
instructor’s grade adjustment may be imposed and reviewed only under the student
disciplinary procedure.
Diversity Statement:
South Seattle Community College is one of the most diverse colleges in the Pacific
Northwest. While this strength stems from the demographics of our campus population,
we as a community believe our identity goes beyond that.
We strive to create a welcoming learning community for all. We encourage multiple
perspectives and the free exchange of unbiased and non-prejudicial ideas and
experiences, which broaden our understanding of one another and the world around us.
The expectation is that you will join us in this endeavor by contributing to an accessible,
safe, and respectful classroom environment, free of discrimination and harassment.
Course Summary:
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