Welcome To LSC-Tomball Independent Study Math Course

1. Welcome To LSC-Tomball Independent Study Math Course Yes, it really is an independent study course! MATH 0308 Section 3007 9W2 Beginning Algebra Orientation Theresa Fritzel Online: at home or at one of the Lone Star College campuses Lone Star College - Tomball

2. Is Independent Study Right for you? Benefits You set your time to study You determine the pace – HOWEVER: must show progress must finish course within the semester Disadvantages Much harder than a lecture course No lecture time You teach yourself Textbook Online resources Webpages I created Easy to procrastinate and fall behind Major Requirements for success Self-discipline Good study habits Should I take an online course? Lone Star College - Tomball

3. What Materials do I need? • A computer with internet access • A valid, working email address • MyMathLab Student Access code for the following text: • Essential Algebra Skills by Elayn Martin-Gay, Custom Edition for Lone Star College, Pearson Publishing Inc. • This code and workbook are good for 0306, 0308 and 0310 • Current combo text has a Mustardand Red cover • Previous (but acceptable) combo text has a Blueand Red cover • You are purchasing an access code and getting a free workbook/text that cannot be returned • LSC – Tomball, LSC – UP, LSC – North Harris bookstores • Supplementary materials • Calculator (not required for 0308, required for 0310) • TI-84 plus, TI-84, TI-83, TI-83 Lone Star College - Tomball

4. How Much Time? • 64 total hours OR • 4 hours (or more) each week in Fall and Spring • 7 hours (or more) each week in Summer • Reading your book/course materials • Working odd problems in the book • in MyMathLab (MML) • Working assigned – graded - homework (at home) • Taking tests (at testing center) • in Desire 2 Learn (D2L) • Studying materials (at home) • Taking the final exam (REQUIRED at testing center) • in math center for tutoring help (if needed) • 2 hours study/1 credit hour • 4 credit hour class = at least 8 hours of study each week Lone Star College - Tomball

5. How often? • Online = Flexibility • Every day • Three times a week • Twice a week • Weekends only • Minimum required but no maximum • Accrue time at your own pace • Must finish all materials by the last day of class Lone Star College - Tomball

6. When are things due? • In D2L, there will be a printable “schedule” as well as start dates listed in the D2L Calendar tab under Resources • Homework assignments • Available all semester • Due on the last day of class • Worked in MyMathLab from home • Test dates • Suggested attempt date is posted to keep you on track • Available all semester (once they open) • Due on the last day of class (please don’t wait that long) • Major exams worked in MML at testing center closest to you • For out of state or overseas students, email me externally or contact me in D2L after the class begins for information on setting up a testing center for you. • Final exam worked in D2Lat testing center closest to you • Withdraw date • Holidays Lone Star College - Tomball

7. What will we be covering? • We will be covering the following in 0308 • Chapter 8 – Real numbers and Intro to Algebra • Chapter 9 – Equations, Inequalities and Problem Solving • Chapter 10 – Graphing Equations and Inequalities • Chapter 11 – Systems of Equations • Chapter 12 – Exponents and Polynomials • Chapter 13 – Factoring Polynomials • Chapter 14 – Rational Expressions • Review materials posted in D2L in the Content Tab • Do assigned homework in MyMathLab (at home) • Work the practice exams posted in MML or D2L • Tested on concepts, definitions, and processes Lone Star College - Tomball

8. MyMathLab Resources • Chapter Contents Section • Complete textbook • Student Solutions Manual • Worked problems for every chapter • Word Problem Workbook • Further explanations on word problems that are seen in this course • Student Organizer link • Printable pages that help you “organize” your notes, study plan, and • Tools for Success • Basic Math and Algebra Review cards • Graphing Calculator help • Study Skills Builder pages from the text • Guided help links in the homework area • “Help me solve this” link • “View an example” link • Lecture video link • “Ask my Professor” link – sends me a message and I reply to you. • Make sure you can also work problems without these aids as they will NOT be available to you on exams. Lone Star College - Tomball

9. Math Tutoring available at: • LSC-Cy-Fair • LSC-Fairbanks Center • LSC-Greenspoint Center • LSC-Kingwood • LSC-Montgomery • LSC-North Harris • LSC-Tomball • LSC-University Park Click here for more information Lone Star College - Tomball

10. Resources at LSC-Tomball Other campuses will most likely have similar resources. Check out the learning center closest to you for more information. • Supplemental Books and Exercises • Use in Math Area • May be checked out • C230 circulation desk • Ask first • Free worksheets and handouts • Manipulatives for the kinesthetic learner Lone Star College - Tomball

11. Preparing for Exams • Read your text • Review the materials posted by exam in D2L – Content tab/Course Content/Modules 1 through 4 • Work the graded homework in MyMathLab • Need Extra Practice? • Rework homework problems...they change each time you access them • Work the study plan exercises. These are NOT graded. They will be similar to the graded Homework and will show you which areas you need more work in. • Work the odds in your book and check their answers • Work the practice exams • The exams are built directly off of the practice tests. • Not on the practice test? Won’t be on the exam. • Use Math Center resources • Free Tutoring • Manipulatives • Study Aids • Use online tutoring Brainfuse • Access through MyLoneStar Under the LSC-Online button • Use online resources when doing homework in MyMathLab • Take tests when indicated Lone Star College - Tomball

12. Taking the Exams • Online (MML main exams, D2L Final exam) in any approved Lone Star College Assessment Center • If you are currently out of state or overseas, we can set up testing in your location. • Contact me in D2L once the course begins for more information. • All of the testing centers in LSCS will have a full roster list and passwords so you can go to any center that works best for you. • Know the hours of operation for your chosen center • Click here for testing centers and hours • Photo ID required • I need to know that it is you • No id, no test • Calculators are helpful and allowed Lone Star College - Tomball

13. What will I be graded on? • Online homework assignments in MyMathLab at home • 33 homework assignments • 100 points total • Chapter tests online in D2L at testing center • 4 tests, 100 points each • 400 points total • Final Exam online in D2L at testing center • Cumulative, 150 points • 650 total points Lone Star College - Tomball

14. Grading Policy • A 89.5% - 100.0% • B 79.5% - 89.49% • C 69.5% - 79.49% • IP* or F** < 69.49% *IP means you completed the course work but didn’t make the required 69.5% to pass ** Reasons for a failing grade: • No consistent progress • Don’t log enough hours • Don’t take the final exam Lone Star College - Tomball

15. How do I get started? First, since we will be doing all of our communication through email: • Email me with a current email address and include the following: • You must "agree" that you understand how an independent study online course will be different from an “in class” course • list how you think an independent study online course will differ from a lecture course • Send this note to: • mymathprof@att.net Lone Star College - Tomball

16. How do I get started? Second, because your exams and your final will be administered at Lone Star College testing centers using MML and D2L and we will use D2L email for secure communication: • Go to LSC-online to get your D2L login and password if you don’t already know it • Click on the “Secure Login” link • This is a yellow button in the Login to your online classes box at the right of the page. • Next to the username box, click on the “Forgot your Username?” link • Fill out the form with the information requested and you be given your D2L login and initial password. • You may be asked immediately to change that password for security reasons. • Login to D2L and look at the home page. • Our course will show up after you take the mandatory Orientation provided through the D2L website. Lone Star College - Tomball

17. How do I get started? Third, because your homework and main exams will be completed in MML for a grade: • Obtain a new MyMathLab student access code • If you were in 0306, 0308 or 0310 last semester, your account should still be active and might already be tied to this code. Test it before purchasing a new MML student access code. • Purchase from LSC-Tomball or LSC-UP bookstore • Purchase directly from MyMathLab • Using the student code, register for and login to MyMathLab • Course id for the “Homework Course” and the zip code for LSC-Tomball: • Please note that this code is my last name “fritzel” followed by 5 numbers • FRITZEL58406 • Enter the course, click on the Installation Wizard • Prove that you have accessed MyMathLab • Send me an email inside D2L and describe how to access the graded homework assignments Lone Star College - Tomball

18. Summary: • Using your current external email address, drop me a note and include the following: • "agree" that you understand how the online course will be different from an “in class” course • list how you think an independent study online course will differ from a lecture course • After the class has begun: • Login to MyMathLab and register for our course • Send a message to me through D2L indicating how you access the graded homework assignments in MyMathLab. Lone Star College - Tomball

19. How to be successful in Independent Study Courses • Be Goal oriented; don’t procrastinate, no excuses • Verify understanding of concepts with instructor or tutor • Do your homework BEFORE exams • Work graded MyMathLab assignments nightly • Extra, non-guided practice - odds at the end of each section in the textbook! • Practice good study skills • MyMathLab now has a section under chapter contents called “Student Organizer”. • While you won’t have a class to take notes in, you can use the organizer in combination with the text and help pages in D2L. • Two hours of study for each hour of “class” • Follow Dr. Nolting’s test taking strategies (video in LSC-Tomball Math Lab) Lone Star College - Tomball