math 90 – elementary algebra first day … mrv ( david vandewater)

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Enrollment details Overview of the Syllabus My Class Website and Blackboard What will it take to pass this course? Testing Rules and Homework Teams Homework Format Participation exercise: Algebra First Day … MrV (David Vandewater) Volunteer Note-Takers Needed: Take lecture notes for a DSPS student to use. Responsibilities: 1. Take clearly written lecture notes during each class meeting, then 2. Provide those notes to the DSPS student. (Copies? E-mail? Other?) Rewards: Upon successful completion of this semester-long activity, you will… - Receive up to 20 extra credit points in this class (5 per major test period) - Feel great that you were able to help others succeed in this class Most note-takers have claimed their own grade improved due to this commitment.

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Math 90 – Elementary Algebra First Day … MrV ( David Vandewater). Enrollment details Overview of the Syllabus My Class Website and Blackboard What will it take to pass this course? Testing Rules and Homework Teams Homework Format In-class exercise: Start your first homework. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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Page 1: Math  90  –  Elementary Algebra First Day …    MrV ( David  Vandewater)

Enrollment details Overview of the Syllabus My Class Website and Blackboard What will it take to pass this course? Testing Rules and Homework Teams Homework Format Participation exercise: Homework Format

Math 90 – Elementary AlgebraFirst Day … MrV (David Vandewater)

Volunteer Note-Takers Needed: Take lecture notes for a DSPS student to use.

Responsibilities:1. Take clearly written lecture notes during each class meeting, then2. Provide those notes to the DSPS student. (Copies? E-mail? Other?)

Rewards: Upon successful completion of this semester-long activity, you will…- Receive up to 20 extra credit points in this class (5 per major test period)- Feel great that you were able to help others succeed in this class

Most note-takers have claimed their own grade improved due to this commitment.

If you want to be a volunteer Note-Taker, please see me at the break.You then will go to the DSPS Office to be confirmed as a Note-Taker and paired with a DSPS student.

Page 2: Math  90  –  Elementary Algebra First Day …    MrV ( David  Vandewater)

Overview of the Syllabus Tonight: Read it carefully, take it seriously Details the class objectives, resources, behavior,

drop criteria, grading, schedule & assignments Acts as a contract between teacher & student

What I plan to give you What you have to do to get it

Your grade: 8% Participation 8% Homework 64% Major Tests 20% Final Exam

Absent for a test? Take it in the LRC before next class.

Page 3: Math  90  –  Elementary Algebra First Day …    MrV ( David  Vandewater)

Class Webpages and Blackboard My Website gives you access to

The updated Syllabus, (schedule/HW changes, etc) Your current average (detailed grades for HW, Participation, Tests) Printable class handouts for some topics, Executable PowerPoints used in class lectures.

Don’t use Blackboard. It will only have links to my website

Activate your student My MSJC e-mail So that I can contact you (example: class session is cancelled) So that I can offer occasional extra credit opportunities

Let’s find your class on my Instructor Website: (Msjc.edu, then Students, then Instructor Websites, then V for Vandewater) or bookmark/favorites http://www1.msjc.edu/instructor/dvandewater

Page 4: Math  90  –  Elementary Algebra First Day …    MrV ( David  Vandewater)

Be open to Suggestions: Use new work habits and study skills Focus – work hard starting TODAY Don’t miss classes – Absence is a killer Do daily written homework on time – Timely Practice is key Arrive in class a few minutes before it starts; I take roll at 1:00 sharp Take notes on my presentation – mostly I use textbook examples Work class exercises with me… and put them in your notes If you “don’t get it”, Ask Questions If you are repeating Math90, or your basic arithmetic skills are rusty:

Try walk-in help in the Learning Resource Center, Building 800 ground floor:Student ID Required! Hours Mon-Thurs 9am-7pm and Fri 9am-Noon

Try free on-line help from SmartThinking (see syllabus) Consider hiring a paid tutor

Insist that disruptions by other students be stopped

What will it take to pass this course? It’s a 4 credit class with a lot of homework

Page 5: Math  90  –  Elementary Algebra First Day …    MrV ( David  Vandewater)

Get a Textbook Right Away !

Your textbook is Beginning Algebra 8th edition by Aufmann/Barker/LockwoodISBN-13: 978-1-111-57870-1

The MSJC MVC bookstore has this textbook.Cost new: ? Used: probably not available

If you use an outside vendor to buy a new or used book:

- It MUST BE the 8th edition with the above ISBN.- Make sure you receive it by the 3rd day of class.

An E-Text version can be rented for 180 days for $76,but you need to have a suitable PC or tablet to use it.Classroom WI-FI access is not guaranteed. Free trial: (not all exercises are accessible)http://www.coursesmart.com/IR/3704213/9781111578701?__hdv=6.8

Page 6: Math  90  –  Elementary Algebra First Day …    MrV ( David  Vandewater)

Why you need your own textbook Those who don’t buy their own textbook usually fail/drop The Library and the LRC do not have enough copies Homework:

40 different assignments (almost every day) Some sections will be handed in for Homework Credit (with major tests)

Note-taking: Less writing. Board Examples are from the text (but DO the exercises)

Absence: Self-study the Textbook Examples before doing the homework

Having Difficulty: You can review any topics at any time at home/school Bring your textbook to the LRC in support of your questions

Page 7: Math  90  –  Elementary Algebra First Day …    MrV ( David  Vandewater)

Instructor Absence and Optional Activities Instructor Absence… (when I’m sick or otherwise unavailable)

If a test is scheduled (and I can’t get a proctor), it will be postponed one class day.Use the classroom for study. I will adjust the schedule.

Not a test day? Use the classroom for study. I will adjust the schedule You can get together with one or two other students to form your

own Homework Team. Optimal size: 3 students Try to have a range of skill levels Take turns explaining how to do HW problems

Trouble with a difficult concept or with homework? Re-read the textbook section and look at the examples in your notes. Go to the Learning Resource Center (LRC) and get walk-in help from a

Learning Assistant (they call them “Tutors”) Try SmartThinking on-line help. (See the Syllabus)

Page 8: Math  90  –  Elementary Algebra First Day …    MrV ( David  Vandewater)

Highlights - from your Syllabus

Important Student Responsibilities Get the right edition (8th) of the text before the 1st HW Pack submission Hand in 3 chapter sections on time on Test Days for Homework Credit,

otherwise receive minimal default credit. Late HW not accepted. Follow class rules concerning phone or other distractions.

All Tests count toward your grade. When absent for a Test:

Take the test in the LRC before class meets again, or get a 0 grade. Only one makeup Test can be taken in the LRC, without penalty.

Each additional LRC Test will have a 10% penalty. If no longer attending, Drop this class yourself.

(otherwise an F or D is certain) I would appreciate a courtesy e-mail when long absences occur. Read the entire Syllabus.

Page 9: Math  90  –  Elementary Algebra First Day …    MrV ( David  Vandewater)

Now for some Math… First, we’ll review homework procedure, and your first HW

assignment. You can even earn a little Participation credit… Next we’ll look at rules for negative number arithmetic (Math51/55) Finally, we’ll review Section 1.2 (Integers) on the board

If there’s time, then we’ll review some basic arithmetic (Math50/51/55)