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College Algebra Course Redesign Evolution or Revolution? The process of change…. Tammy Muhs University of Central Florida. Motivation. Success Rates: Pass rates were down, withdrawal rates were up Space: Too many students, not enough classrooms Budget: We needed to do more, with less.
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College Algebra Course RedesignEvolution or Revolution?The process of change…. Tammy MuhsUniversity of Central Florida
Motivation • Success Rates: Pass rates were down, withdrawal rates were up • Space: Too many students, not enough classrooms • Budget: We needed to do more, with less
National Center for Academic Transformation (NCAT) • Received the NCAT Grant in Spring 2008 for College Algebra redesign to be piloted in Fall 2008 • Students met in a classroom for 1hour per week and spent 3 hours per week in a lab • Online assignments are completed • Proctored environment • Tutors provide assistance for students
Presidents Class Size Initiative (PCSI) • Mathematics Assistance and Learning Lab (MALL) • Provided support for Instructors and Lecturers to work in the MALL in addition to the more peer tutors, graduate tutors, and GTAs • Created Small Within Large Class Environment
Small Within Large Class Environment • Students register in sections of 19 students • Creates a learning community • In-class community • Virtual community • Between 16 and 20 of these sections meet together once per week in a large lecture hall
Classroom Experience • Focuses on areas of difficulty previous week • Highlights concepts of the upcoming week • Common lecture notes • Group activities (Cooperative Learning)
Mathematics Assistance and Learning Lab (MALL)From Renovation to CompletionPhase I - 95 computers (Spring 2010)Phase II - 100 computers (Summer 2010)Phase III - 120 computers (Fall 2010)
Future Work and Conclusions • Producing favorable results • Improving student learning outcomes • Future studies • Look at retention and graduation rates • Look at success in later courses (STEM) • Increasing course offerings • Intermediate Algebra fall 2010 • Precalculus spring 2011