Algebra II - ASpring 2009 ~ 15 Weeks

0.5 CreditsCONTACTInstructor: Joyce EstesEmail: je01112@email.georgiasouthern.edu ~ Best means of contacting instructor.  Response usually within 24 hoursPhone: (770)893-1201 ~ Home ~ Call M-W-F, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm ESTOffice Hours: M-W-F, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm EST via Scheduled Live Chat and Whiteboard on WebCT

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Algebra 2A broadens the concepts learned in Algebra 1. The content includes: an understanding of the construction of numbers, operations, and properties; polynomials; solving and graphing quadratic equations; the use of matrices and determinants to solve nonlinear systems; solving equations with three variables; using functional notation and the arithmetic of functions to solve equations.

This course is taken completely online. Students will complete assignments, math labs, projects, and interact with teacher and peers on a regular basis. There will be opportunities to view lessons in video and audio, live via online classroom, as well as written. PREREQUISITES

Algebra IAAlgebra IB

GEORGIA PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

MM2N1. Students will represent and operate with complex numbers.MM2A4. Students will solve quadratic equations and inequalities in one variable.MM2A5. Students will explore inverses of functions.MM2P1. Students will solve problems (using appropriate technology).MM2P2. Students will reason and evaluate mathematical arguments.MM2P3. Students will communicate mathematically.MM2P4. Students will make connections among mathematical ideas and to other disciplines.MM2P5. Students will represent mathematics in multiple ways.MM3A4. Students will perform basic operations with matrices.MM3A5. Students will use matrices to formulate and solve problems.

REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS 

Algebra 2 by Berchie Holliday, 2003, Glencoe McGraw-Hill. 

Further web resources will be supplied in the course.

REQUIRED TECHNOLOGYYou are required to use WebCT, MS Word, Adobe Reader, and reliable Internet access. You must utilize your school e-mail account on a regular basis.  A headset or microphone is required for this course due to live classroom meetings via Wimba. You will use WebCT to submit graded problems/quizzes, take exams and the final exam, post discussions, chat online with class members, obtain course materials, and to check your grades. These individual requirements are not fulfilled by the school but must be supplied by you.

A TI-30X IIB calculator is highly recommended for this course. A graphing calculator is allowed, but not required.  COMMUNICATION

You are strongly encouraged to communicate with your classmates and the instructor on a regular basis.• Email: Use the email link in your WebCT account to email the instructor or other classmates. You should check it everyday by clicking on the email link and then clicking on your inbox. • Discussion Board: You should post questions, responses and discussions related to each assignment to the course discussion area. Also, use the discussion area to communicate with other students.   COURSE OBJECTIVESAfter completing the course, students will be able to:

Correctly apply the order of operations to evaluate expressions and use formulas. Solve equations, inequalities, and word problems. Solve systems of equations of inequalities. Solve systems of linear equations using the graphing method. Perform operations on polynomials. Add, subtract, multiply, and divide functions. Perform operations with matrices and determinants. Simplify monomials, polynomials, irrational numbers, and complex numbers. Solve quadratic equations.

  COURSE OUTLINE 

I. Linear Equations

1. Introduction 2. Vocabulary 3. Order of Operations 4. Multi-Step Equations 5. Absolute Value Equations 6. Relations and Functions 7. Linear Functions 8. Slopes and Intercepts 9. Scatter Plots

10. Linear Modeling 11. Compound Inequalities 12. Graphing Inequalities 13. Summary and Exam

II. Linear Systems and Matrices

1. Introduction 2. Vocabulary 3. Graphing Method 4. Substitution Method 5. Elimination Method 6. Systems of Three Equations 7. Systems of Inequalities 8. Matrix Operations and Manipulations 9. Cramer's Rule

10. Summary and Exam

III. Quadratic and Polynomial Functions

1. Introduction 2. Vocabulary 3. Polynomial Operations 4. Factoring 5. Roots and Radicals 6. Complex Numbers

7. Solving Quadratic Equations 8. Analyzing Parabolas 9. Polynomial Functions

10. Summary and Exams

COURSE EVALUATION

This is an instructor led course.  All quizzes and assignments are due by the due dates indicated in your schedule.  Grading for this course will be based on the following:

1)     Weekly Assignments from Textbook and/or Assignments Listed in Modules(50%).

Assignments will be completed either on an individual or group basis, as assigned by the instructor.

 2)     Quizzes (20%)You will be required to take 1 quiz per week on the topics discussed.  Quizzes will be taken online through WebCT.

 3)     Final Exam (15%)You will be required to take a final exam at the end of the course. This will be an interactive exam between you and your instructor. Scheduling will be coordinated at a time convenient for your and the instructor. It will be live in the Wimba classroom.  4)     Online Discussions (10%)Each week the instructor will post a discussion thread that participants will be required to respond to.  Participants will respond to instructor and comment on at least one of the other participants’ response.  Further directions for the requirements for reply will be listed in each posting. 5)     Wimba Classroom Meetings (5%).There will be 1 scheduled meeting per week for the class to collaborate on how the course is going, share input, and share suggestions.  This will occur before the weekly quiz is given to allow students to ask questions, or for the instructor to demonstrate how to work certain examples. It will be required that you attend 7 of these 15 meetings. Each meeting will be archived for reference. 

 GRADING SCALEParticipants must obtain a grade of C or better receive credit for this course. 

A = 90% - 100%B = 80% - 89%C = 70% - 79%F = 69% or lower 

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:Students are expected to uphold the Academic Honesty Honor Code as published in section 3 of the Georgia Southern University Student Conduct Code, online at http://students.georgiasouthern.edu/judicial/SCC_08-09.pdf .  Plagiarism of either online or written sources will not be tolerated.  All incidents of cheating will be handled in accordance with guidelines set forth in the GSU Student Conduct Code handbook. The minimum penalty for a student caught cheating on an assignment will be a grade of zero on that work. ACCOMMODATIONS FOR STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS:This class complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).  Students with disabilities needing academic accommodations must register with and provide documentation to the Student Disability Resource Center (SDRC) and provide a letter to them from the SDRC indicating what your need may be for academic accommodation.  This should be done within the first week of class.  Students with these particular needs should contact the Student Disability Resource Center, Hampton Hall.