Online Algebra Orientation

Math 261 (Beginning Algebra) with Tracie Catania

AND

Math 263 (Intermediate Algebra) with Elizabeth Bishop

The SUCCESSFUL online student:

is motivated and self-disciplined has good study habitsworks well without supervision is a self-starter is a good readercommunicates frequently and clearly with the instructorchecks e-mail and the course website often!

You are not likely to succeed if you:

Are, by nature, a procrastinator

Have trouble following written directions

Read and study in a cursory rather than careful manner

Take too many units or work too many hours outside of school

Don’t ask for help when you are confused

Have an unreliable computer and/or a slow internet connection

Don’t finish homework assignments and quizzes on time

Fall behind the schedule on the course calendar

Course Registration

You must add this class (Math 261 or Math 263) at Monterey Peninsula College. If you are not already registered, you will need to obtain an “add code” from your instructor.

You must also add this class at the course website: www.coursecompass.com. You will need to contact your instructor to get the “course ID” to do this.

Registration at MPCYou must enroll in this course at Monterey Peninsula College before the enrollment deadline in order to be able to take this course. See the MPC schedule of classes for this deadline.

You are responsible for your own enrollment status in this course! If you need to drop the course, be sure to complete the drop process at MPC before the published “last day to drop” for the semester. If you fail to do this, you may receive an “F” in the course even if you intended to drop the class.

Contact your instructor if you have any MPC enrollment questions.

Registration at CourseCompassYou will need to purchase a MyMathLab access code in order to use the course website. There are several ways to obtain this code:

◦ You may purchase the stand-alone version of the MyMathLabpacket (available at the MPC bookstore)

◦ You may purchase a new hardcover version of the textbook bundled with MyMathLab (also available at the bookstore).

◦ You may purchase an access code online using a major credit card at www.coursecompass.com. (cheapest option - about $55)

Contact your instructor if you have any questions about the course materials.

Registration at CourseCompassIn addition to the MyMathLab access code, you will need the “course ID”. This consists of your instructor’s last name followed by five numbers. Contact your instructor to get this code for your particular course and semester.

You will also need an e-mail address that you plan to check several times each week.

You are now ready to go to the course website!

Registration at CourseCompassGo to www.coursecompass.com and you will see a screen that looks like this:

Select the Register button under the STUDENTS heading.

•If you already have your student access code, click Next and follow instructions.

•If you want to buy access online, click “purchase online access” above the credit card symbols.

When you log in to your course site you will see something similar to this…

Colors, titles on the navigation bar (at the left) and wording of the announcement are subject to change at the whim of the instructor

Orientation Handouts:Click on the “Course Information” button on the left navigation bar of the course website. Download and carefully read the:

Course syllabus

Course calendar

“Working through the Lessons” handout

Math Learning Center Schedule and referral

form

Getting Started at CourseCompassWhen you enter your course, you may see an Announcements page. Please read the first announcement for specific instructions on how to get started.

You will need to:Run the installation wizard (located somewhere on the vertical navigation bar at the left of your screen)Set your browser to allow pop-ups from several CourseCompass and MyMathLab sites (on the Tools menu of Internet Explorer)View the tutorial on “how to enter answers” (at the top of the first page you see OR in the online textbook )

Using your Online TextbookThe entire textbook is available to you online (in pdf

form) along with supplements and multimedia enhancement. Please spend some time browsing the text to find the available resources.

You may be interested in using:Chapter videos (in chapter folders)“You Try It” exercises embedded in chapter contentsStudent Solutions Manual (in “Tools for Success”)Chapter Test Prep video (in chapter folders)

e-mail your instructor if you have questions about using the online text.

Your grade is based on…Homework (online)Chapter Quizzes (online)Discussion Board Participation (online)Unit Exams (on-campus, pencil-and-paper)Comprehensive Final Exam (on-campus, pencil-and-paper)

Check your syllabus for the weighting of each category.

Homework (online)To access online homework, click the Homework button on the left navigation bar of the course website.It is important to master each topic before moving on to the next topic! To access a homework assignment, you must earn at least 75% on the previous assignment.Each week’s homework is due Sunday at midnight unless otherwise stated on the course calendar.If you miss the deadline, you MUST e-mail your instructor by the NEXT DAY to request a one-day homework extension. Otherwise, the assignment will receive a score of “0”.

How to earn 100% on your Homework

A typical homework problem looks like this:

A problem marked wrong will have a red “x” through the problem number at the top of the screen. A correct problem will have a green check.You get three chances to get each problem correct. Once a problem has been marked wrong, you can select “similar problem” at the bottom of the screen and you get three MORE chances! Repeat as necessary.

Walks you through your problem

Shows step-by-step solution to a similar

problem

Use this to ask your instructor a specific question about THIS

problem.

Tool palette for entering answers. See tutorial for

help!

Homework FAQWhy can’t I access my homework?

It’s past due or you haven’t met the prerequisite. E-mail your instructor.

Can I print my homework?Yes! Click the print icon and you can print the problem or the whole assignment. Answers must be typed in to the computer – printed homework will not be accepted.

I’m going out of town and won’t have computer access – what do I do?Contact your instructor to have prerequisites released so you can print the assignments you’ll be missing. OR, you can work ahead of schedule!

I made a minor typing or formatting error and a problem was marked wrong. Can I still get credit?Yes! Send an “ask my instructor” e-mail from the problem in question and you may be able to receive points.

I know my answer is right, but the system marked me wrong. What do I do?See previous answer.

Chapter QuizzesAt the end of each chapter, you need to take a quiz.

To access online quizzes, click the Quizzes button on the left navigation bar of the course website.You get THREE tries and only your best score counts.Quizzes are due on the date and time of the on-campus Unit Exam.Practice Quizzes are available if you scroll to the bottom of the “Quizzes” page.

Chapter QuizzesAt the end of each chapter, you need to

take a quiz.You get THREE tries and only your best score counts.Quizzes are due on the date and time of the on-campus Unit Exam.Practice Quizzes are available if you scroll to the bottom of the “Quizzes” page.Don’t procrastinate or forget about the quizzes! They count toward your grade.

Unit Tests (on campus)You must bring photo id to each on-campus exam.Test dates are posted on the course calendar and on the syllabus. If you have a scheduling conflict, you MUST let your instructor know ahead of time to reschedule! There will be no make-up tests.Your instructor will let you know what materials you are allowed to bring to each test (calculator, note card, ruler, etc.)Sample problems and solutions are posted on the Test Information or Practice Problems page of the course website.Tests can be picked up on campus by arrangement or at the next exam.Grades can be checked on your “Grades” page of the course website.

Lecture ScribeSince it is sometimes difficult to answer your math questions via e-mail, we can use a program called “Lecture Scribe” to make a short narrated whiteboard presentation (audio and real-time writing) to explain a homework, quiz, or test problem or to clarify a concept for you. E-mail your instructor to request a “lecture scribe” file for a particular problem or topic. The Lecture Scribe button the left navigation bar gives you access to our archives. Before asking a question, check to see if it’s already been answered and posted!

Discussion BoardTo access the Discussion Board, click the Discussion Board button on the left navigation bar of the course website.This is an EASY way to earn 5% of your grade.You need to make a minimum of FIVE posts per “unit” in order to earn full credit.Please use proper etiquette when posting since this is a public forum. Posting guidelines for your course are given on the Discussion Board page.

The Final Exam

The exam date is given on your course calendar.The exam is comprehensive and covers material from the entire semester.A sample final and solutions are available on the Test Information or Practice Problems page of your course website.You will be allowed to bring some notes to the final – your instructor will let you know exactly what will be permitted.

Extra Practice

If you need to do more problems to master a topic, you have MANY options.

Re-work homework problems through your “grades” page (this will not change your homework score)Use your “Study Plan”. It’s available on the left navigation bar and will suggest problems for you to work based on quiz questions you got wrong.Do some textbook homework. The solutions to odd problems are available in the online solutions manual. Take a practice quiz (available at the bottom of your Quizzes page)

Where to get HELPIf you fall behind in this class or if you’re stuck on a section, it’s very important that you take the initiative and get HELP!!!

The Math Learning Center is located in PS205. It provides free drop-in math tutoring. Computers with your course software are available. Your instructor will give you a referral and the hours the MLC is open this semester.As an MPC student, you are eligible for two hours of FREE tutoring each week. Contact Marilyn Wilcox in the Academic Support Center (646-4176) for more information.Post your question on the discussion board (and earn points) –your fellow students may be able to help you!Send an “ask my instructor” e-mail from within a specific homework problem.Your instructor has on-campus office hours – use them!Send your instructor an e-mail and request a Lecture Scribe file.Your course website provides telephone tutoring. Go to the online textbook and click the link at the top of the page.

Advice from previous successful students…