Bucks County Community College

October 11, 2008

Dear Distance Learning Pre-Algebra student:

Welcome to Bucks County Community College’s course in Pre-Algebra. I have included in this packet a Basic Course Information document that will hopefully answer many of the questions you might have about the course. Your homework assignments, quizzes and tests will all be administered online via Course Compass.

To get started, go to my web page at www.bucks.edu/~fitte and scroll down until you see the Pre-algebra online orientation link. View the Power Point presentation. You can print this out as a handout with several slides to a page. You will want to register into CourseCompass.

Get started as soon as you can and put yourself on a schedule. Send me an email letting me know how you are doing with getting set up. I will be happy to have an in-person or phone orientation if you would like.

The course code for the November 2008 modular semester is fitt88435. An individual access code comes free with a new text. It can be purchased over the internet if you have a used text.

Dr. Elaine Fitt

Department of Mathematics, Science and Technology

For quick reference some important phone numbers:

Dr. Fitt 215 968 8260 215 491 5426

Mathematics Office 215 968 8305 215 968 8294

Distance Learning Office 215 968 8052 215 968 8148

Testing Center 215 504 8594

Tutoring Center 215 968 8307

Registration 215 968 8100

For technical support (problems with your computer and/or CourseCompass), contact Product Support.

Fill out the Product Support form which can be found by logging on to CourseCompass and clicking the link for the Product Support form in the Support module, to communicate your issue or request.

Call 1 800 677 6337. Staff is available to troubleshoot your technical issues Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern time, or Sunday from 5 p.m. to 12 a.m.

Bucks County Community College

Department of Mathematics, Science, and Technology

Basic Course Information Fall 2008

Math 090 Pre-Algebra

Instructor: Dr. Elaine Fitt

Email: fitte@bucks.edu

Phone: 215-968-8260

Office: F121

Office Hours: Any mutually convenient time

Text: Pre-Algebra, Custom Edition, Martin-Gay, packaged with access code to CourseCompass

Course Compass ID: fitt88435

I. Course Objectives:

The first objective of this course is to provide you with an understanding of the skills necessary to take additional Math courses. The second objective is to increase your awareness of how personal habits and attitudes influence your success in this class, in other classes and in your employment.

Some work habits to practice include:

Setting realistic goals and developing plans of action to achieve them.
Taking responsibility for your learning by monitoring your progress and making changes in behavior as necessary.
Setting and meeting deadlines.
Setting priorities and using time efficiently.
Using out resources to reach your goal.

II. Core Goals and Objectives

A. Learning Goals:

1. increase mastery of arithmetic skills through guided

practice.

2. develop an understanding of the process involved in applying

arithmetic to practical situations.

3. increase students’ self-confidence and self image by building

on their success through course-related activities.

4. mitigate students’ math anxiety and fear of failure by providing positive experiences and building on success

5. teach students test preparation skills, test taking techniques and anxiety- reducing strategies.

6. teach and monitor organizational and study skills: how to keep

a notebook, how to take notes, and time management skills.

7. prepare students for courses in higher level mathematics and

related fields.

Learning Objectives:

The student will be able to:

1. demonstrate knowledge of basic computational facts and concepts in mathematics .

2. accurately perform mathematical computations involving whole numbers.

3. accurately perform mathematical computations involving fractions.

4. accurately perform mathematical computations involving decimals.

5. accurately perform mathematical computations involving percents.

6. accurately perform mathematical computations involving signed numbers.

7. evaluate algebraic expressions by correctly applying the order of operations.

8 correctly analyze and apply mathematical operations in applied problem solving situations.

B, Planned Sequence of Topics and/or Learning Goals

1. Operations with Whole Numbers

a. exponents and order of operations.

b. addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of

whole numbers.

2. Operations with Rational Numbers

a. equivalent fractions and simplifying.

b. proper, and improper fractions, and mixed numbers.

c. addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of

fractions.

3. Operations with Decimals

a. addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of

decimals.

b. changing fractions to decimals.

c. changing decimals to fractions.

4. Operations with Percents

a. ratio and proportion

b. definition of percent

c. conversion of fractions

and decimals to percent, and visa versa.

d. Application of percent concepts

5. Signed Numbers

a. integer addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.

b. rational number addition, subtraction, multiplication and division

c. order of operations

6. Variable and Algebraic Expressions and Equations

a. substitution

b. identifying and combining like terms

c. Solving equations using the Addition Property

d. Solving equations using the Multiplication Property

7. Application problems which will be integrated throughout the course content.

III. Testing and Grading Procedures:

Five tests and a final examination will be given at the points in the course indicated on the assignment sheet. All tests will be taken online at the Testing Center.

These tests will comprise 50% of your grade. Before each test, try the practice test on CourseCompass so you will know what to expect.

In addition there will be 5 online chapter quizzes. These quizzes will comprise 30% of your grade. (Each quiz is 6%)

Online homework problems are assigned for each section covered. The homework assignments will comprise 20% of your grade.

Grades will be calculated as follows:

A 90-100 C 70-76

B+ 87-89 D+ 67-69

B 80-86 D 60-66

C+ 77-79 F 0-59

Please refer to the college catalog for the policy on cheating and plagiarism. The college policy will be strictly enforced.

V. Study Requirements

This is a 3-credit course. Expect to spend at least two hours of study for each class hour. Study time should be spent

a) Going over notes from previous class. Taking careful notes is important. Write down concepts or problems that you do not understand during class.

b) Doing assigned problems. The best way to learn mathematics is to do problems. Suggestion - put an * next to problems which give you trouble and ask about them during the next class. Additional practice problems are available through CourseCompass quizzes and homework in each section.

VI. Distance Learning Procedures

1. Go through the orientation provided on my web page at www.bucks.edu/~fitte. All procedures for accessing CourseCompass will be covered in detail. You will learn how to access the materials needed to succeed.

2. Communication is an essential ingredient for success in this course. Please check in with me at least once a week using email. Please be sure to include your name, class and section in the subject line.

3. Tutoring free of charge is available in the Tutoring Center located in Library 121.

4. There is a great deal of flexibility with distance learning mode of learning, but it requires a great deal of motivation on the part of the student. Tests can be scheduled at times that are convenient to you, day or evening. However, so that you do not fall behind, it is important to keep as closely to the posted deadlines as possible.

VI. Withdrawal:

Please consult the college catalog for specific dates regarding withdraw for the November modular session.
If you stop attending class, do not complete the course requirements, and don’t withdraw you will receive an F.

IX. Required Text: Prealgebra, Custom Edition, by Martin-Gay. Be sure to buy the text that is packaged free with a CourseCompass access code.

CourseCompass provides many tools that are designed to help you in the study of algebra. You can download the PowerPoint presentations, access the student study guide, learn how to use your calculator and take practice quizzes.