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Elementary Algebra with Applications   – Syllabus

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Instructor Information: Office:
Pete Esser
pesser@swtc.edu
1-800-362-3322 x2620
 		 SWTC
Building 100
1800 Bronson Blvd
Fennimore, WI  53809
Course Information:
Crs # - 10-804-110-81 Semester Starts - Monday, August 25, 2008
Credits - 3 Semester Ends  - Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Prerequisites - None Time Frame - 16 weeks
Course Description:  Students taking Elementary Algebra perform basic algebraic operations.  They solve and graph linear equations.  They solve and graph inequalities.  Students factor algebraic equations.  They solve radical and rational equations.  Students solve quadratic equations.  In each topic area, students solve application problems.
Course Outcomes: Competencies:
Primary Core Ability - Solve Problems Perform basic algebraic operations
General Ed Outcome - Apply Scientific Concepts Solve linear equations and inequalities
Graph linear equations
Materials: Perform operations with algebraic terms
Math XL Student Stand-Alone 12-month Access Kit 2/E  or
ValuePack - Math XL & the Text Elementary Algebra Concepts and Applications, Bittinger & Ellenbogen, 7th Edition.

Read this document on Getting Started with MathXL.

 Factor equations
Solve rational equations
Supplies - Scientific Calculator Solve and graph systems of equations
Resources - Math/Science Resource Center  Solve radical equations
Solve quadratic equations

Course Sequence:

Students taking this course, work independently to master the topics in each chapter of the textbook. 

You have two options to get the information required for this course.

1.  Students who prefer an entirely electronic course will purchase the Math XL Student Stand-Alone 12-month Access Kit 2/E.  It is available from the SWTC Bookstore for approximately $35.00  (This is the option most students select.)

2.  Students who prefer to study with a hardcopy textbook will purchase the ValuePack, from the SWTC Bookstore (approximately $110.00).  This package consists of the Textbook ( Elementary Algebra Concepts and Applications, Bittinger & Ellenbogen, 7th Edition), the Math XL 12-month Student Coupon 2/E, and the Digital Video Tutor 7/E which contains video lessons on CD.

No matter which option you choose you will have to access Math XL to complete this course. 

When you get the Math XL Student Stand-Alone Kit or the ValuePack from the bookstore, you will find instructions for getting started with Math XL, an access code, etc.  Follow the directions in the materials you receive to establish your Math XL account. 

Go to http://www.mathxl.com
Select the Getting Started button, and look through the For Students information.
Select the Register button, and follow the instructions. 

During the registration process, you'll need to supply the following:

Your school zip code is 53809
The school name you are looking for is:  SOUTHWEST WISC TECH COLL

Before doing course work it would be a worth your time to read through the Getting Started with MathXL document. 

You might also want to view a lesson on using the MathXL interface.

Basic Course Sequence

1.        Sign into Math XL and check the Calendar and Announcements.

2.        Click the Homework and Tests button.  You will see the complete list of homework problems for each section of a chapter,
the Practice test and the Graded Chapter test.

3.        Click on Ch 1 Section 1 Homework to begin your coursework.

If you need help with an exercise, try the buttons to the right.  Some problems have a video or animated examples.  Notice the key pad to the left for entering special functions like fractions, powers or roots.

Work on an exercise until it has a green check mark.  If after three tries you have a red check mark, select Similar Exercise to try again.  Complete at least 3 exercises for each objective if available.

4.   More practice problems may be found by clicking on the Study Plan button.  Choose the chapter and section you want to work on.  Note that for every section there is a complete video lesson to watch if you'd like.

5.  After completing the homework problems for the first section, go back to the list found under the Homework and Tests button, and select the next assignment.

6.   After completing all of the homework for a chapter, select the Practice Test.  This is basically a free preview of the test.  You may take it as many times as you'd like.  It does not count towards your course grade.

7.  When you are ready, chose the Graded Chapter test.  You are obligated to complete the test once you click the button.  You can't stop in midstream and restart it later. 

8.   Move on to the next Chapter.

If you have any question about any part of this course PLEASE ASK!

 

Tips and Policies for a Successful Performance: 
1.  Get started immediately.  Procrastination is the single biggest reason for poor performance in independent study courses.  Be aware of the deadline for completing the course. 
2.  Set a pace for yourself that will allow you to finish the course on time.  If you have 9 Chapters to complete and 16 weeks to get them done, then you should be completing 1 chapter every week and one-half.  *The summer semester is 6 weeks long so you will need to do 1 1/2 chapters per week.
 
3.  Ask questions when you don't understand.  Take advantage of the communication resources:  answer keys, instructor email, discussion with other students, ASC instructors.
4.  Be honest with yourself.  If you do a problem and check your answer and you find you got it right then you probably understand that problem.  However, if you get a problem wrong, don't just look at the answer key and say "Oh I know how to do it now."  Find out why you got it wrong and make sure you can fix it.  
5.  Spend a reasonable amount of time on each question.  Some problems will be easy for you and you will finish them quickly.  Other problems may take a little more effort.  Don't give up too soon.  On the other hand, don't spend hours on a single question.  If you have given it your best effort, move on to another problem and come back to it later or ask your instructor for help.  
Open Enrollment:
1.  Open enrollment courses will last 16 "school weeks" (6 weeks in the summer) beginning with the official registration date of the student.  Open enrollment is not an option during summer session.
2.  If you register within the first two weeks of the Fall or Spring semester, the course will finish at the end of that semester.  If you have not completed the course, you could get an Incomplete (I) only if you have completed 80% of the course material and if you have put forth significant effort as determined by the instructor of record.  
3.  If you register more than two weeks into the semester, you will receive an In-Progress (IP) and be given appropriate time in the following semester or summer session to finish the course. For example, if you register at the 8-week mark (halfway through the Fall semester), you would then be given 8 weeks in the Spring semester to complete the course.  Late registration will mean a diminished or no refund period.
4.  Registration for a given semester stops when the registration for the following semester begins.  For example, if you enroll in a course on December 1st, you will be registered for the Spring semester.  Your course officially begins on the first day of the Spring semester (early January) and ends at the time of the last class meeting in the Spring semester.  (Your instructor will inform you of the exact ending date for the course.)

In a situation like the one described above, you are free to get the course materials (textbook, etc) and begin to review them.  However, your instructor will not begin grading any tests or assignments until the semester officially begins.

For purposes of this open enrollment option the following applies:  
         Registration for Spring semester begins in early November
       Registration for Summer session begins in early April
       Registration for Fall semester begins the first day of Summer session (early June)  

5.  You can expect to have contact with your instructor during the official Fall and Spring semesters and during the 6-week Summer session.  Do not expect to have contact with your instructor when SWTC in not in session.
 

ADA Statement:
If you have a documented disability as described by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (P.L. 933-112 Section 504) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) that requires an accommodation by Southwest Wisconsin Technical College to meet course requirements, I recommend that you contact the office of the Support Services/Intake Specialist, Bldg 100, Room 108, (608) 822-2631, 800-362-3322, ext. 2631, TTY/TDD (608) 822-2072 or e-mail  lhebgen@swtc.edu, as soon as possible.

It is then your responsibility to contact and meet with the instructor. The Support Services/Intake Specialist can assist you and the instructor in formulating a reasonable accommodation plan and to provide support in developing appropriate accommodations for your disability. Course requirements will not be waived but accommodations may be made to assist you to meet the requirements.

 
Grading Information
Rationale:
Homework Problems – The homework problems for each section of a chapter count towards 35% of your final overall grade.

Practice Tests - These are a good way to preview the graded chapter tests.  The Practice Tests may be done as many times as you'd like.  They don't count towards your course grade.
 
Tests - The Graded Chapter Tests may be taken once and they count towards 65% of your final grade. 
 
Final Grade Computation:
Course Average is computed by this formula:  (Homework Average x 35%) + (Graded Chapter Test Average x 65%)
Grading Scale:
A =  90% - 100%
B =  80% - 89%  
C =  70% - 79%
D =  60% - 69%
F =   Below 60%  
 



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