College of the Canyons - Fall 2009

Math 060 - 71586

Elementary Algebra: HYBRID

 

Dear Student,

 

Welcome to the hybrid version of Math 060 at College of the Canyons. My name is Ana Palmer and I will be the instructor of the course. The purpose of this letter is to give you an overview of the course which hopefully will help you decide if online learning is suitable for your needs.

 

This is a hybrid course because there are two components: the online portion and the on-campus portion. The online portion of the course will utilize CourseCompass and the on-campus portion will be used for reviews and testing.

 

Getting Started:

 

You must complete the mandatory orientation. You can choose one of the following options in order to do so.

 

Option 1: Online Orientation (check my website on August 20th)

 

Option 2: On Campus Orientation

 

If you do not complete one of the orientations by 11:59pm on Monday, August 24th, you will be dropped from the course to accommodate students on the waitlist.

 

Once you complete the orientation you will be provided with the course ID that you will need to register with MyMathLab/CourseCompass at http://www.coursecompass.com/ccindex.html. You will also be dropped if you have not registered in CourseCompass by midnight, on Thursday, August 27th.

 

In other words,

1.         Complete the orientation (either online or on-campus) in order to get the course ID

2.         Use the course ID from step 1 to register in CourseCompass

3.         Complete steps 1 and 2 by midnight, on Thursday, August 27th.

 

Course Overview:

This course covers will cover elementary algebra using several online multimedia tools.  Using MyMathLab, you will be able to watch videos of course material, complete practice exercises, complete and submit homework problems, quizzes, and discussion board work.  Exams will take place on campus on the dates listed below.  Additionally, you will have full access to the on-campus math tutorial lab, as well as a publisher provided tutorial service.

Please note that we will progress through the course together, at approximately the same pace. This is not a class in which you can complete all the work for the semester in the first week or make it all up in the last week. The success of this class depends on the willingness to dedicate approximately 15 or more hours per week (the amount of time spent on a regular lecture class) to this course. To be successful it is necessary to be highly self-motivated. You must keep track of when the assignments are due and turn them in. Procrastination can lead to problems.

If you would like to see if you may be a strong candidate for online learning, you can take the following survey: http://www.canyons.edu/offices/distance_learning/dl/assessments.asp

 

Important Dates:

We will meet on campus on the following dates for review and exams. Each meeting will be from 5:30-8:30PM, in BONH-206. There will be no make-up exams so mark your calendars NOW!

Exam 1            9/21     5:30-8:30PM              BONH-206

Exam 2            10/12   5:30-8:30PM              BONH-206

Exam 3            11/2     5:30-8:30PM              BONH-206

Exam 4            11/30   5:30-8:30PM              BONH-206

Final Exam     12/7     5:30-8:30PM              BONH-206

 

NOTE:            YOU MUST BRING A VALID PICTURE ID TO EVERY EXAM.

Required Texts:

The following required books are available in the College of the Canyons bookstore:

They are available in the COC bookstore as a bundled set.  Please bring this to our first meeting (on-campus orientation), but do not open the package in case you change your mind about enrolling in the course.

 

Technical Requirements:

All students must have access to a PC based computer.  You will need at least a 56K modem, but a cable/DSL, T1 or other high-speed connection is best for the multimedia content (audio, video, animations).   Your computer should also have the following:

 Memory:  64 MB RAM

Monitor resolution:  1024 x 768 or higher

Plug-ins:  These can be obtained through the Installation Wizard available online.

We will use software programs that you can download/purchase with your text. You should have regular access to the Internet. Also, you will need an email account. You are responsible for maintaining an active email account for the whole semester.  If you change addresses and do not let me and your classmates know, you will not be able to receive important information

Your email address will be available to your classmates as well as me.  If you are concerned about privacy, then you can establish an email account specifically for this course at one of the many free email service providers (yahoo.com, hotmail.com, etc.).  Please come prepared to give me your own email address at this meeting because my only contact with you after the orientation is via phone or email.  Students are not allowed to share an email address regardless of your relationship with the other student.  For example, husbands and wives, mothers and sons or daughters, significant others, etc. must each have their own email address.

 

Technical Assistance:

Technical support is available through the publisher by calling Pearson Education Product Support (800) 677-6337. Hours: M-F 5am-5pm, Sun 2pm-9pm.

 

Getting Help:

You have full access to the on campus math tutorial lab (TLC lab in BONH-209) as well as an online tutorial service. Furthermore, you may contact me anytime throughout the semester for additional help. The best way to reach me is by sending e-mail. My email address is ana.palmer@canyons.edu. I will respond to your email messages within 48 hours. If you do not receive a response within 48 hours, please resend your e-mail message.  Occasionally, we have problems with our mail server, and I do not receive mail in a timely manner.  Be sure to include Math 060: Hybrid in the subject line of the email because without this information your email may not be read.  You may also take advantage of the TLC lab in BONH-209. It is free for students and they have great tutors.

I look forward to our first meeting.

 

Sincerely,

Ana Palmer

661-362-3063