Distance Learning
Your ACC Assessment Test (TSI test) result should have told you which math course you are supposed to enroll in. If it did not recommend this course, then please contact me to discuss this before enrolling. If you enroll in a course you were not placed into, you may not be able to continue in it. If you feel that your ACC Assessment Test placed you too low and you really could handle a higher course, then please look over the math department's advising information and review sheets for the Assessment Test and the pretests in the various courses.
The prerequisite for College Algebra (MATH 1314) is a grade of C or better in Intermediate Algebra (MATD 0390) or current knowledge of high school algebra as measured by the Assessment Test. Students who have a great deal of difficulty with the Pretest and/or review and have not had Intermediate Algebra or its equivalent recently should consider withdrawing and taking Intermediate Algebra.
If your assessment test score qualifies you to take several courses (including College Algebra), you should read this for some advice on which class might be your best choice (hint: it isn't necessarily College Algebra).
You may not skip to College Algebra from Elementary Algebra, even if you have just completed your TSI math requirement. There seems to be some confusion going around about this, so let me make this clear: No matter what your friends or anyone else tells you, if you have only finished Elementary Algebra, you are not ready to take College Algebra. (There are some college credit math courses you can take if you just finished Elementary Algebra with a C or better, but College Algebra is not one of them. Go here for more information about the alternatives.)
To determine whether you have the prerequisite knowledge to take this course, please complete the Review for the College Algebra Pretest. This review will be turned in with your first homework assignment. If you are able to understand and work correctly at least 35 out of the 50 problems on this review, then you are probably ready to take College Algebra. If you cannot work correctly and understand at least 35 of these problems, then you should probably enroll in Intermediate Algebra (MATD 0390) first, if you need to take College Algebra for your degree plan. Also, once you log into the software for the first time, you will need to take the College Algebra Pretest online and make a 70% or better grade on that before you can start the other work. (Don't panic, you can retake this pretest up to 3 times if necessary.)
If you feel that this course will be really very easy for you, but you want to stay in it anyway, please read this information. If you have any questions, please contact me and describe your situation, including what math course the Assessment Test printout recommended that you enroll in and what math courses you have taken before (and when). Make it clear that you are considering enrolling in my MATH 1314 College Algebra class so that I can give your message top priority.
Some students have already taken and passed courses covering this material in the past and merely need a review before moving on towards Calculus or Business Calculus. It is important to consider how much review you really think you will need before you begin the sequence. Unfortunately it is common for students to start in a lower course, do very well, and expect to skip one of the other courses in the sequence. That won't work; once you get started in the sequence, you need to continue on in sequence, so it's important to start at the right level to begin with.
Distance learning courses provide students the ability to plan their school schedules around their lives rather than planning their lives around their school schedules. But not everyone is well-suited for a distance learning course, let alone a distance math course. Everyone has different learning styles and different personalities; therefore, it is important to for you to assess your own style and your own characteristics before enrolling in this course. To help you do this, please go here, read the info, and take the "Learning Style Assessment".