SYLLABUS            Fall 2004

 

MA 100L                    Intermediate Algebra Lab

Thursday 1:00

122 Parkinson Hall

 

INSTRUCTOR:        Carol H. Frazier

Room 102 Reneau Hall

Phone: 329-7138

E-mail:  cfrazier@muw.edu

Campus Address:  P. O. Box W-1633

      Columbus, Ms.  39701

Office Hours:  By appointment

 

TEXT:            None

Recommended Reading:    

Arem, Cynthia.(2003). Conquering Math Anxiety(2nd ed.).                                                       Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole.

Nolting, Paul. (1997). Winning at Math: Your Guide to Learning Mathematics Through Successful Study Skills  (3rd ed.). Bradenton, Fl: Academic Success Press. 

Tobias, Sheila. (1993). Overcoming Math Anxiety (revised edition). New York: W.W. Norton & Company.

 

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES:   

Upon completion of MA 100L, the student should be able to:

1.                  Identify personal mathematics learning styles

2          Develop personal study techniques based on preferred learning styles

3.         Demonstrate productive mathematics study habits

4.         Develop efficient test-taking strategies

5.         Identify personal attitudes about mathematics

6.         Reduce anxiety related to mathematics content

 

COURSE CONTENT:

This course is designed to provide support in a lab setting for students enrolled in MA 100, Intermediate Algebra.  Course content includes mathematics study skills instruction, peer tutoring, and support materials such as computer tutorials, video lessons, and study guides.  This lab is an intermediate level class recommended for those enrolled in MA 100 and cannot be used to satisfy graduation requirements.

 

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

1.   Attend lab regularly

2.   Complete in-class exercises

3.   Complete class assignments

4.   Participate in tutoring

5.   Utilize math lab resources such as computer tutorials, video lessons, handouts, etc.

METHODS OF EVALUATION:

This course will be graded on a Pass/Fail basis.

In order to receive a “Pass” grade students must satisfactorily complete the following

6 of 10 assignments

4 of 7 in-class exercises

attend at least 12 classes

participate in class activities such as class discussions, tutoring and/or study groups, etc

 

 

SCHEDULE OF TOPICS AND ASSIGNMENTS

 

 

Date

 

Topic

 

Assignment

 

8/19    

 

Plan for Success

In-class exercise: Your Math Autobiography (22)

238, Tobias

 

Complete all sections of “My Plan for Success” (7) for review on 8/26

 

8/26

 

Positive Thinking

In-class exercise:

replace negative metaphors with positive ones (49)

 

Complete your Math Winner’s Personal Ad Campaign (54) for review on 9/2

 

9/2

 

Managing Anxiety

In-class exercise:

visualization (73)

Neg self talk (36)

 

Create a math study schedule for review on 9/9

 

9/9

 

Homework procedures

Nolting, 140

 

 

 

9/16

 

Factors Affecting Learning

Ch. 7, Nolting

In-class exercise:

creating a positive study environment

 

Take the 3 learning style inventories at

the companion website  for review on

9/23

 

9/23

 

Enhancing Your Learning Style

In-class assignment:

creating a personal study method

 

Write a summary of your personal math  learning style for review on 9/16

 

9/30

 

Note Taking Procedures

147, Nolting

 

Bring notes from this weeks class done in Cornell style for review on 10/7

 

10/7

 

Work Checking (109)

 

Record your alertness cycles for review on 10/14

 

10/14

 

Math Study Skills (102-125)

In-class exercise:

math study skills inventory  

analyzing tests (226, Nolting)

 

List the 5 most important skills you’ve learned and plan to use for review on 10/21

 

10/21

 

Procrastination

In-class exercise: Create action statements to replace procrastination statements

 

 

 

10/28

 

exam schedule

 

Create an exam study schedule for review on 11/4

 

11/4    

 

Test Anxiety

class exercise: symptoms of test anxiety(128)

 

Create a practice math exam for review on 11/11

 

11/11

 

Study Groups

174, Nolting

 

 

 

11/18

 

Reward System

 

Create a personal reward system for review on 12/2

 

12/2

 

tutoring & review for exams

 

 

 

12/9

 

tutoring & review for exams

 

 

 

 

TEST DATES AND TOPICS: Pass/fail grades are based on completion of assignments and participation rather than tests.

 

ATTENDANCE POLICY: Students are expected to attend class on time.  Arriving late to class or leaving early is disruptive to other students and to the instructor.  Attendance at all scheduled class meetings is expected.  When you do not attend class, you miss an integral part of the learning experience provided in the course.  Regardless of the reason for your absence, that learning experience can not be replaced.  All absences from class, regardless of reason, are counted toward the total number of absences in the course.

 

TEACHING STRATEGIES:  The teaching methods used to accomplish the goals and objectives of this course include lecture, class discussion and activities, demonstration, and peer tutoring.

 

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY: Any student who plagiarizes the words or ideas of another person will receive a zero for the plagiarized assignment and will be referred to the University Academic Standards Committee for appropriate action.

 

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES:  It is the responsibility of students who have professionally diagnosed disabilities to notify the Director of MUW Academic Support Services when necessary and appropriate modifications are being requested.