Further Information about MATD 0330 Course Redesign Sections

Important Notes:   

All students enrolled in a course redesign section will be required to spend a substantial amount of time outside of class working on online homework and quizzes.  Students will either need home internet access or be able to spend time at an ACC campus in order to complete these. 

Textbooks for this redesign section are the same as the text used in regular lecture sections, distance learning sections, and computer mediated sections.  Students must obtain a MyMathLab code.  In the ACC bookstores, the shrink-wrapped package of materials for this course includes a folder with the access number for the web software called MyMathLab. If you purchase a shrink-wrapped package of materials, please don't open it until you talk with your instructor to be sure you are in the right course. Shrink-wrapped materials are NOT RETURNABLE after they are opened.

Used books will not contain access to MyMathLab and so students must purchase that separately for about $75. New books purchased in some way other than through the ACC bookstore may or may not include access to MyMathLab.

Summary of Major Aspects of the Course Redesign:

A.        The redesigned course is very much a lecture course - the instructor still presents course material in the same manner as it is being presented in regular lecture classes and in the same order in terms of text sections and time frame.  However, the majority of the assessments are done online (using MyMathLab) including all the regular homework assignments, online reading quizzes, online text section quizzes, and the major module tests.  Instructors may optionally assign text problems as well.  A set of weekly in-class paper-and-pencil quizzes are graded by the instructor and specifically assess students' proper use of notation as well as vocabulary and problem solving skills.

B.        The general lesson/assessment cycle is as follows: 

1. Students read the assigned text section and take an online reading quiz that is due prior to the start of class on the day on which the text section is being covered in class.

2. The instructor presents the text section in class.

3. Students do the online homework for that section outside of class.

4. Students take the online quiz over the text section outside of class.

5. Students take a weekly in-class quiz generally covering 3 or 4 text sections.

6. Students take an online module test after about five weeks course work.  Your instructor will provide a set of two hour time slots during which these module tests will be administered in weeks 6, 11, and 16 at various ACC campuses.  Students will be expected to sign up for a module test in each of these three weeks.  Evening and weekend testing times will be available.

Expected Benefits of the Course Redesign

I.          Appropriate use of technology.  The online resources available in MyMathLab provide multiple means by which students can learn or reinforce concepts covered in the course.  Students receive instant feedback on all online homework, quizzes, and tests.

II.         Greater consistency of content and instruction across sections yet the individual instructor still has freedom and flexibility in delivery of content.

III.        More emphasis on student self-directed study.  Students have increased responsibilities for completing tasks by definite deadlines.

IV.       Specific emphasis on the use of good notation, proper use of vocabulary, and problem solving skills through the weekly in-class quizzes.

V.        Greater ability to track your ongoing progress using the online gradebook.  Scores can be displayed by chapter, by text section, or by individual objective.