Spring 2017 Accelerated Math 126 PreCalculus I MTuWTh 9 ...

Spring 2017 Accelerated Math 126 PreCalculus I MTuWTh 9:15am ? 11:20am San Elijo Room 501, Class #2797

Dear Accelerated Math 126 Student-

Welcome to our 8-week class! I'm looking forward to getting to know each of you. Please be sure the school is updated with your current information (current email address, current name, etc.). I communicate with enrolled students using the email address you give the school. So if the email address the school has for you is outdated, you will most likely miss important class information.

This class meets four (4) days a week. Students are expected to arrive on time every day, stay the whole class period, and participate actively. Homework (and maybe a few more class assignments) will be completed outside of class, online, using a program called MyMathLab. If you are not comfortable with this, please find another class that suits your learning style/needs better. If the online class materials are open and ready to go, please feel free to begin working in the class materials even before the 1st day of class.

IMPORTANT: Students must be very self-motivated and self-disciplined to succeed in this class. Success in this class depends on your ability to read and follow the written directions in this syllabus, regularly attend class, complete the daily homework assignments, and seek help as soon as you encounter difficulty. You should NOT take this class if you do not have 4 hours a day, 6 days a week to dedicate to this class. Taking this class is like having a part-time job and needs to be treated at such. This class covers a lot of material ? so be ready with your hard work, effort, and good Algebra skills (I highly suggest brushing up before the semester starts). If your Algebra skills are weak, you may have to put in 2-3 times the amount of weekly hours. Please remember this class is to prepare you to be successful in calculus.

Enrolled students need to have MyMathLab access and a used copy of the textbook purchased/borrowed and in-hand at the first class meeting. More information about the required class materials can be found in the `Required Materials' section of this document. If you enroll close to the 1st day of class and cannot afford the MyMathLab access immediately, please contact me before the 1st day of classes. You do not need to own a computer to take this class. You can use the computers in the MLC (San Elijo Campus room 103) to do all of your online class work.

I can help you with any content related questions or class procedure related questions. If you have technical questions (related to your computer if you have one that you're using and it's not working properly), those need to be sent to MyMathLab Technical Support. You can contact Tech Support either via the `Help & Support' link in your online class materials (top-right) or by phone at 1-800-6776337. If you encounter technical difficulties which you can not solve in less than an hour, you need to plan to come to campus and use the computers in the MLC.

In addition to all of the help given in the class, office hours, etc. you are encouraged to come in to the Math Learning Center to work or get extra help. I encourage every student to head over to the MLC directly after class each day to complete that day's homework assignments. If you feel that you need even more help, you can schedule private 1 hour tutor appointments with the Tutoring and Academic Support Center. Please remember, this class required 4-6 hours of work per day (outside of class), 6 days a week.

Looking forward to working together this semester!

- Mrs. Apalatea

Instructor Information

Name: Janeen Apalatea (ah-paul-ah-tae-ah)

Contacting me:

In My Office Hours: My office hours are M&Tu 9:00 am ? 9:15 am in room SAN 501 (before class) as well as M&Tu 11:20 am ? 11:55 in room SAN 104 (after class). Room SAN 104 is the 2nd door on the left after you enter the San Elijo library by the fountain. The Math Learning Center is the 1st door on the left as you enter. I am also available by appointment.

Email: japalatea@miracosta.edu Please use email to send me personal information (e.g. you're sick, you were in a car accident, you have a question about your grade in the class, etc.). Or, talk to me privately in class.

Expectations of Me: In this class, I am here to be a learning facilitator for you all. We're all here to work together with each other and learn together from each other. This class will sometimes entail group work and interaction with other class members. You may also be asked to write solutions to problems up on the board/laptop. If you have anxiety issues working in groups, please let me know on or before the 1st day of class.

I strive to make this class as interesting and interactive as I can.

Expectations of Students Taking this Class

In my class I expect that: You will adhere to all of the requirements in the class. You will come to all class sessions. You will come prepared having already completed any work that was already due. You have read the Syllabus and continue to refer to it on a regular basis. You have talents, thoughts, and ideas that you will share with the class. You will 'play nicely' with others in the class. You will work on this class a minimum of 4-6 hours each day, 6 days a week. You will seek help as soon as you get stuck or have a question. You will not expect this class to work as a `chalk and talk' traditional lecture class works.

College classes require self-discipline and self-reliance. Please understand that it is impossible for me to be available 24/7. Anticipate waiting 24-48 hours for a response to your email (longer over weekends and holidays). Please remember that I can't read minds, so if you have a question it's your responsibility to seek assistance promptly (either during class or inside of the online class materials). Keep in mind that I do not evaluate excuses; I only evaluate coursework that is submitted on time. Waiting until the last minute to seek assistance severely limits the kind of help I and others can provide. Waiting for my response does not excuse you from completing the assignments by the deadlines.

This class requires students to have a very basic computer skill level. Students should be comfortable with using a computer, the web (at least 2 different browsers) and Discussion Boards. Instructors do not provide remedial "How-To-Use-A-Computer" or `How to Get your Computer Set Up to Work with MML" directions in addition to the intended course content.

If you have computer/browser problems, you need to call MML Technical Support immediately.

While I can help you with any content related questions or class procedure related questions, technical questions (related to your computer, if you have one) need to be sent to MyMathLab Technical Support. You can contact Tech Support either via the `Help & Support' link in your online class materials (top-right) or by phone at 1-800-677-6337. If you encounter technical difficulties which you can not solve immediately (or within 24-hours if there are no online assignments due by that day), you need to plan to come to campus and use the computers in the MLC.

Students who tend to do well in this class are those who are: Spending at least 4-6 hours each day 6 days per week working in the class Self-motivated learners who do not need prompting in order to complete assignments Committed to learning, and who always make a strong effort to do their absolute best Actively involved in taking responsibility for their own education Are able and willing to help other students in the class Ask for help from peers (either during class or in the class Discussion Boards) as soon as they encounter difficulty that they are genuinely not able to resolve Good managers of time and who are able to balance personal responsibilities with class requirements Able to understand and follow written as well as verbal instructions Good communicators who are able to express their thoughts and communicate their ideas as well as problems with other students in the class Computer literate and able to learn new software and technology quickly if necessary

Important Dates

1st day of Instruction

1/23

Add Deadline

(I do not add students after

this date)

Deadline to drop class with

no record & receive refund

Deadline to file for Pass/No Pass grading option

Deadline to drop with a "W" grade (withdraw)

1/24

1/28

2/3

3/3

Final Exam

3/16

Required Materials

1. Access to the online MyMathLab class materials

Access is purchased either from: a. MiraCosta Bookstore (online bookstore or at the San Elijo Campus). If you purchase from the bookstore, you will receive an "Access Code" (in a sealed cardboard envelope) which will be redeemed online for access to the class materials. This is the best option for students who must pay cash or use financial aid. If the bookstore is out of the item, you may have to wait for it to be shipped. So, if you are going to purchase from the bookstore, please do it at least a week before classes begin. b. Directly from the publisher If you purchase directly from the publisher, your access to the class materials will be immediate and you will be able to work in the materials immediately. You will need a credit card or PayPal to do this. c. Occasionally you will see access codes for sale online (places like eBay, Craigslist, etc.) at deeply discounted prices. Please be aware, you may (or may not) get scammed. Access codes can be used only once. If you purchase an access code that is already used, you will not be able to access our class materials and thus will not be able to take the class.

You will NOT need to repurchase MML access for Math 131. When you access the class material for the first time, you will need the following: Course ID Code: apalatea39782 (valid beginning around Jan 16th) The Course ID Code is unique to this class and is needed to direct MML to our class.

2. The Textbook

PreCalculus Enhanced with Graphing Utilities, 6th Edition by Sullivan & Sullivan ISBN 9780321795465 or 0321795466 This is NOT the newest edition of the textbook. If you do not already own a copy, or if you are unable to borrow a copy from a friend, you can purchase a copy from places like Amazon, eBay, Craigslist, etc. You will need the textbook to learn the content in this class as well as for the next class. The book will be a needed reference for later math classes including Math 150, Math 155, etc.

3. A Ti-83 or 84 (any version) Calculator

I will be using and doing demonstrations in class and online using a Texas Instruments TI-83 graphing calculator. There is a class set of TI-83/84 graphing calculators in the classroom. But, you'll need some kind of graphing calculator outside of class ? ideally a TI-83 or 84. Cell phones cannot be used as calculators on any Tests. If you can not afford a graphing calculator, the classroom has a set of Ti-83 Graphing Calculators which can be used by students during class. While doing your homework at home, you may be able to use a free online graphing calculator simulator. Please see me if you are in this situation and need a recommendation for a good free online graphing calculator simulator.

IMPORTANT: Even though you are allowed to use a GC, you still must show all of your algebraic work on every single Test/Quiz question (unless the directions on the question tell you to solve using a GC).

Note: Students need to bring the class materials to class the 1st day. If you add the class a day or two before the semester begins and can't afford to purchase the MML access that day, you can get temporary access. However, you will have to be able to pay within a week or two. If you don't purchase the MyMathLab class materials, you won't be able to complete assignments and, thus, will not be able to pass the class. More information about MyMathLab can be found at . It is NOT required that you have your own computer at home for this class. All of the computers in the Math Learning Center (MLC) at MiraCosta College are configured to work with MyMathLab.

How to Register and Use MyMathLab

We'll go through this in class on the 1st day. But, just in case you forget or add late:

Go to Look for the heading called FOR STUDENTS (it's on the left-hard side of the page) Read or watch the videos in the link: `Get Started' Accessing the online materials generally works well a PC computer and is supposed to work on a

Macintosh. If you find that this website does not work properly with your home computer/browser, you will need to contact Technical Support immediately and try to resolve your problem quickly. If you cannot resolve your problem immediately, you will need to come into the MLC and use those computers (or borrow a friend's/neighbor's computer) until you can solve your technical problem. There is a link to Tech Support in the top right in your class materials. You can also call Technical Support at: 1-800-677-6337 When registering, please choose anything that you would like to use as your username and password. However, when you are asked for your first and last name, please be sure to use the exact name Admissions and Records has on file for you (no nicknames, no different last names, etc). If you do not, you may be dropped from the class and/or inactivated in the

online materials. If you do not know what name A&R has on file for you, please find out first, before registering in your online materials. Be sure to give MyMathLab an email address you will be checking every day throughout the class. I send messages through MyMathLab that will be sent to the email address you give them. Also, please be sure to keep your email address current with the school as I also send emails from the Admissions and Records class roster.

American Disability Act

If you have a disability, you are encouraged to contact Disabled Students Programs & Services at (760) 795-6658. Their office is located in Building 3000 on the Oceanside campus, adjacent to Parking lot 3C. They will help you determine what assistance is available for you.

Instructor Drop Policy

Students are responsible for dropping themselves from this class. Do NOT rely on me to drop you if you no longer wish to be in the class.

Students MAY be dropped (up until the 75% drop deadline) without the possibility of being reinstated for excessive absences. This may include situations similar to the following:

Missing 4 or more class meetings (or portions of meetings). Doing no Homework in online materials for a week (unless you are so far ahead that you

have no Homework marked as past due) Missing 2 or more Tests and/or Quizzes.

Note: If you miss ANY assessment (hw, quiz or test), you will automatically receive a 0% on it.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity will be expected from all. Any breach will be dealt with by a zero on the assignment (which can not be made up) or by failing the class. You may wish to review MiraCosta College's Catalog, specifically the section on "Standards of Student Conduct." You will be expected to know and follow those tenets as well.

Homework Procedure

1. BEFORE YOU COME TO CLASS, read the textbook sections and watch the lecture videos that we will be covering that day. If you've read the book and watched the lecture video before class, then when I cover those topics in class you will have a much better understanding of where you may have difficulties. Any unclear ideas/concepts need to be cleared up in class.

2. Homework (REQUIRED) is in MML. They can be found in the folder corresponding to the appropriate chapter.

3. Homework is designed to give you practice and so you can show your mastery of the material. 4. Homework should be completed no later than the end of the day (11:59 pm) on the day we finish

covering that section in class. You can always do homework early if you want. 5. Homework deadlines can be found in your MML calendar - or look at the date next to the

assignment when you get to the list of homeworks in MML.

6. Late Homework Deadline: If you miss a Homework deadline in MML, you can complete any incomplete or incorrect questions up through 12:01 am on the day we take a Quiz or Test on that chapter/section.

7. When you are working the homework, take notes so that you can go back and study the notes to prepare for a Quiz or Test.

8. You may choose to do your Homework assignments at home, at work, in the MLC, etc. 9. You can NOT get back into a homework assignment in MML once the Late Homework Deadline

has passed (although you can always review the work you submitted). 10. Attend all class meetings, take notes, and participate fully to help you best understand the

material. 11. Homework assignments should be completed in the order assigned since, normally, the sections

build upon each other. But, that is not absolutely required. 12. Homework will not be re-graded. If you are not happy with your homework score, go back in and

rework the missed questions before it closes. 13. It is STRONGLY advised that you keep up with your Homework assignments. These deadlines

will help you keep pace in the class and ensure that you are ready for the Quizzes and paper Tests. 14. Your lowest three (3) homework scores will be dropped before your final overall class grade is calculated.

Quiz Procedure

1. Quizzes are paper-and-pencil and do NOT involve a computer. 2. Quizzes are taken in the regular lecture class on a particular day and can ONLY be taken ONCE.

No make-ups are given. 3. Quizzes are taken during the first part of the class period. 4. There is a time limit of 50 minutes on all Quizzes unless you are told otherwise. If you do not finish

and time is up, your Quiz will be collected and will be graded on whatever work is completed. 5. I will tell you at least one day before a Quiz if the time limit for the upcoming Quiz is not 50

minutes. 6. Please be sure you have thoroughly studied for these assessments. 7. There are *optional* Practice Quizzes available in MyMathLab. 8. Practice Quizzes (Online) do NOT have to be completed in one sitting. You have a "SAVE for

LATER" option. This means you can leave the Practice Quiz and return later to complete it. However, you must answer the questions in order and you can not go back to previously viewed questions. 9. Practice Quizzes close at 8am on the day we take the actual Quiz. You can always `review' a completed Practice Quiz to see what you missed. 10. Take the Practice Quiz several times to see what material you know well and what material you should work on more before you come to class for the actual Quiz. 11. The actual graded Quizzes will be *similar* to the Practice Quizzes. However, please don't expect your actual Quiz to be an exact copy of the Practice Quiz. Practice Quizzes are longer than actual Quizzes. 12. Students who complete ALL Practice Quizzes with scores of 60% or more will be allowed to drop their lowest Quiz score before the overall class grade is calculated. This is the ONLY way you can drop your lowest Quiz score. 13. Students who do NOT complete ALL Practice Quizzes with scores of 60% or more will NOT get to drop their lowest Quiz score. 14. When taking the actual Quiz in class, be sure to show all work using the techniques learned in class. Not showing algebraic/arithmetic work or just guessing may result in no points given for that problem ? even if you have the correct answer. 15. Scratch paper is NOT needed on the actual Quiz. There is plenty of room on the Quiz pages to do the work.

16. NO notes, books, cell phones, music players, pagers, talking to other students, etc. are allowed while taking an in-class Quiz.

17. Please consider using the restroom before you begin your Quiz since it does have a time-limit. 18. Show all work. Be as neat as possible. Partial credit may be given for correct work ? even if your

answer is not correct. 19. If you do not show arithmetic/algebraic work (e.g. you work the problem `in your head'), you may

not receive full credit on problems - even if you get the right answer. 20. If you have any questions while taking a Quiz, please ask me only - do NOT talk to anyone else. 21. Students using the Disabled Students Program & Services (DSP&S) may have other

accommodations for their situation. 22. Once your Quiz has been graded by hand (it may take me a few days to get everyone's graded),

your score will be entered into your MML grade book and returned to you in class. 23. Failure to take a Quiz will result in a zero for that assessment and averaged into your grade for the

class. 24. If you complete each and every Practice Quiz in MML with at least 60% (no matter how many

attempts you need), you will be allowed to drop your lowest (actual) Quiz score before your final overall class grade is calculated. This is the ONLY way you can drop a Quiz score. 25. Practice Quizzes and the Syllabus Quiz are not part of your overall grade in the class.

In-Class Paper Test (Including the Final Exam) Procedure

1. These paper-and-pencil in-class Tests do NOT involve a computer are taken during the class period. When you finish, you may leave.

2. Tests are taken in the regular lecture class on a particular day and can ONLY be taken ONCE. 3. You will have the entire class period to take each Test, including the cumulative Final. 4. Please be sure you have thoroughly studied for these assessments as these paper-and-

pencil Tests are worth the majority of your grade in the class. Any Practice Tests you might be offered will give you a good indication of whether or not you are ready (but they are NOT exact copies of the actual Tests. Be sure to also review your class notes, Homework, and Quizzes while studying for Tests). 5. Show all work using the techniques learned in class. Not showing algebraic/arithmetic work or just guessing may result in no points given for that problem ? even if you have the correct answer. 6. Scratch paper is NOT needed; there is plenty of room on the Test to do the work. 7. NO notes, books, cell phones, music players, pagers, talking to other students, etc. are allowed while taking a Test. 8. Please consider using the restroom before you begin your Test since it does have a time-limit. 9. Show all work. Be as neat as possible. Partial credit may be given for correct work ? even if your answer is not correct. 10. If you do not show arithmetic/algebraic work (e.g. you work the problem `in your head'), you may not receive full credit on problems even if you get the right answer. 11. If you have any questions while taking a Test, please ask me only - do NOT talk to anyone else. 12. There is a time limit on all Paper Tests. If you do not finish and time is up, your Test will be collected and will be graded on whatever work is completed. 13. Students using the Disabled Students Program & Services (DSP&S) may have other accommodations for their situation. 14. Once your Test has been graded by hand (it may take me as much as 1-1? weeks to get everyone's graded), your score will be entered into your MML grade book and your Test will be returned to you in class. 15. Failure to take a Test will result in a zero for that assessment. 16. All paper Test grades count towards your overall final class grade. NO Tests are dropped. 17. If you are deployed, have a death in your family, are extremely sick, or have a verifiable excusable absence (that was unforeseen and out of your control) for the day and several days before an

assessment is due, please send me an email to discuss a possible extension in your paper Test deadline. Be prepared to give me documentation of your absence (deployment papers, doctor's note, etc.)

Assessment Results

Homework results will be given by MML as soon as you complete the assignment. If you want to review your Practice Quiz or Homework later, you can do that by going in to your

gradebook and click on the `review' link to the right of the assessment that you want to review. You may also review your Practice Quiz immediately after it is taken. Quiz or Test results will appear in your MML gradebook within a week or so of taking it. The Quizzes and midterm Tests will be returned to you in class. Final Exams will not be returned.

Assessment Review

Homework and Practice Quizzes can be reviewed anytime in your MML gradebook. I try to return Quizzes within a day or two and Tests (except for the Final) within a week or so of

grading them. If you would like to see your graded Final Exam, I am happy to meet with you and show you your

Final Exam sometime during the subsequent full semester. You will not be allowed to keep a copy of your Final Exam.

Guide to Success

A. Come to class each meeting and participate fully!!

1. Read the textbook and watch the lecture video BEFORE you come to class. 2. Come to class prepared (bring paper, two pencils and an eraser). 3. Be ready to ask (and don't hesitate to ask) any questions you may have. 4. Work with you classmates and listen to their ideas, information and questions. 5. Share your ideas, information and questions with your classmates. 6. Take notes in class and keep them organized along with the notes you take from the textbook and

lecture videos.

B. Get to know MyMathLab.

Consult the Publishers' Announcements in MML every few days. These announcements tell you when the planned MML outage will be. Consult the Assessment Schedule/Course Calendar each day.

1. Watch the video lectures/presentations for the sections you are working on. TAKE NOTES! 2. Read the Textbook, take notes and work any examples in your notes. Watch any animations for

that section. 3. For extra practice or to get ready for the assigned homework, do the study plan exercises and

work the exercises at the end of the section in the textbook. 4. Ask questions if you don't understand something. 5. Do all assigned Homework no later than the deadline. 6. Email personal situations/questions to japalatea@miracosta.edu - things like you had a family

member pass away, you just went into labor, you're being deployed, etc. 7. Come in to my office hours or to the MLC to get help with questions/concepts that you still don't

understand. The sooner you get your questions answered the more successful you will be. 8. Make tutoring appointments if you need more time one-on-one in-person. 9. All homework can be reworked until a 100% is earned (if you so desire) before the deadline.

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