Janet Bickham
Professor of Mathematics
Pinnacle Campus

 


 

Is a Traditional Lecture or Computer-Mediated Math Class Better For You?

 

 

Please complete the following four items by selecting either response “a” or “b” (whichever better describes your previous experiences with math).

 

 

_____ 1.         Classroom discussion about math is:

a.                  almost always helpful to me

b.                  rarely helpful to me

 

 

_____ 2.         When an instructor hands out directions for a math assignment, I prefer:

a.                  having the instructions explained to me

b.                  trying to follow the directions on my own, then asking for help as needed

 

 

_____ 3.         In my previous math classes, I usually:

a.                  was comfortable with the pace of the class

b.                  wanted the instructor to slow down or speed up

 

 

_____ 4.         I expect the material in this math course to be:

a.                  mostly new to me

b.                  mostly review for me

 

 

 

If you answered “a” to 3 or more of these questions, then a traditional lecture math class is probably better for you. 

 

 

If you answered “b” to 3 or more of these questions, then a computer-mediated math class is probably better for you, and you should complete the remainder of this survey. 

 

 

If you answered “a” to 2 questions and “b” to 2 questions, then you should speak to your instructor about whether to take a traditional lecture or computer-mediated math class.

 

 

If you would like to switch to a more appropriate section, please do so as soon as possible (before the deadline for making schedule changes).

 

 


 

 

 

If you have decided to take a computer-mediated math class, please complete the following checklist.  In each row, check only one item in either Column I or Column II (whichever better describes you).

 

 

 

       Column I

 

 

       Column II

___

self-motivated learner

 

___

need a lot of encouragement to learn

___

good at managing time

 

___

average at managing time

___

usually ahead of schedule

 

___

often wait until the last minute

___

have commitments that make it difficult to attend class

 

___

attend class regularly

 

___

 

calm and determined to learn math concepts

 

 

___

 

“math-phobic”

 

 

If you checked 3 or more items in Column I, you may want to speak to your instructor about the possibility of working with the computer software from home.

 

If you checked 3 or more items in Column II, please be aware that in order to succeed in a computer-mediated math class, you must attend class regularly and ask your instructor questions as they arise.  You must also plan to spend additional hours outside of class time working in the Learning Lab, where tutors are available to assist you.

 

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Last Updated December, 2010
Copyright © 2010, Austin Community College
Send comments and questions to Janet Bickham: jbickham@austincc.edu