Summer 2005 Course Syllabus
Math 10 – Basic Math Skills
(Online)
Section # 8275 (3 units)
MyMathLab ID: toner40301
Since this syllabus is our
contract, I suggest you study it well and print a copy to keep by your
computer.
Instructor:
Stephen Toner
Web Page: http://www.stevetoner.com
email: toners@vvc.edu –Please write your name and Math 10 online in the subject line.
VVC voicemail: 245-4271, ext. 2770
Office: Liberal Arts (bldg. 30), office “U”
Spring On-Campus Exam Calendar:
Thursday,
July 14 Midterm Exam
NOTE: July 26th is the last day to drop and still
receive a “W” grade.
Thursday,
August 11 Final Exam
*On each
on-campus exam date, there will be an optional 1-hour Question-and-Answer
period from
To each scheduled exam, bring a valid Photo ID (No ID…No Exam) and pencils with you.
Each on-campus exam will be administered in (Liberal Arts) building 30, room 6.
Calculators and PDA use will not be allowed during testing sessions.
These exam dates are mandatory for this online course. Mark your calendar accordingly. There will be no make-up exams.
If
alternate testing dates are required for a verifiably valid reason, appropriate
and acceptable arrangements must be
scheduled with the instructor prior to
Textbook: Basic Mathematics, 9/e, by Bittinger. All students must register for this course at MyMathLab.com using the Course ID: toner40301. Your textbook can be purchased new from the VVC Rams Bookstore (bundled with MyMathLab at no extra charge). If you purchase a used textbook, access to MyMathLab can be procured online at www.mymathlab.com for approximately $42. MyMathLab is a requirement for this online course.
Course Description: This course covers the basic operations
applied to whole numbers, fractions (including mixed numbers) and
decimals. Prime factorization, least
common multiple, ratio and proportion, similar triangles, averages; graphs and tables,
square roots, the Pythagorean theorem, measurement,
operations on signed-numbers and solutions of simple linear equations are also
covered.
Attendance Policy: It is your responsibility to keep your enrollment status current. You risk receiving an “F” if you decide to quit without officially withdrawing. You are responsible for checking the announcement page and discussion board regularly. All online homework assignments must be submitted on or before posted due dates (Please refer to the Course Schedule document for due dates).
Grading Policies: Each on-campus exam will count as 300 points toward your overall point total. Each unit’s online exam will earn you up to 50 points. Your semester participation category will require that you make at least 1 post per week as well as “participate in an online conference call. (I will drop your lowest 50-point category before computing your grade.) Online exams must be submitted by the times listed below.
First
Online Exam – Chapters 1-3 due
Second
Online Exam – Chapters 4-5 due
Midterm (On-Campus) Exam
– Chapters 1-5
Third Online Exam – Chapters 6-8 due
Fourth Online Exam – Chapters 9-11 due
Final (On-Campus) Exam
– Chapters
6-10
Participation (Discussion Board and online conference calls) 50 points
Total Points Possible: 850 – 50 = 800 points (after lowest online exam score dropped)
Grading Scale
712 to 800 = A (89.00% or
above)
632 to 711 = B (77% - 88.99%)
560 to 631 = C
(70% - 77.99%)
480 to 559 = D (60% - 69.99%)
Below 480 =
F
Suggested Schedule: Since this is an online
course, you will likely be working at strange hours. What follows is a suggested timeline for
scheduling your progress through the course:
|
Week 1 |
June 20 – June 24 |
Chapters 1 – 2A |
|
|
Week 2 |
June 27 – July 1 |
Chapters 2B – 3 |
Online exam (Ch. 1-3) due by |
|
Week 3 |
July 4 – July 8 |
Chapter 4 |
|
|
Week 4 |
July 11 –July 15 |
Chapter 5 |
Online exam (Ch. 4-5) due by On-Campus exam (Ch 1-5) |
|
Week 5 |
July 18 – July 22 |
Chapter 6 |
|
|
Week 6 |
July 25 – July 29 |
Chapters 7-8 |
Online exam (Ch. 6-8) due by |
|
Week 7 |
August 1 – August 5 |
Chapter 9-10 |
|
|
Week 8 |
August 8 – August 11 |
Sections 11.1-11.3 |
Online exam (Ch. 9-11) due by On-Campus exam (Ch 6-11) |
Calculators: Calculators are helpful for learning concepts and useful as a study aid, but will not be allowed during on-campus exams. (I can’t control what you do at home, but a calculator defeats the purpose of what we are trying to learn in this course.)
My Philosophy: Online math classes tend to be more difficult than traditional math classes because of the amount of reading involved and the absence of face-to face communication. An online math class may also require more time expenditure because the student needs to obtain course materials and competency from a variety of sources, i.e., a required textbook or interactive multi-media textbook, video lectures, audio glossary, various web sites, practice exams, etc..
Online courses are not for everyone. They are intended for students who are unable, for various reasons, to attend class regularly in the traditional face-to-face setting. If you are looking for an “easy way out” of the rigor found in the traditional classroom, this online class will not likely suit you.
Learning involves interaction. To be successful in this course, it would be wise for you to devote an abundance of hours using all of the resources available to you. Do not forget that I am one of your major resources. Many students try to make this class into an independent study course, (unsuccessfully, I might add!). Please make every effort to watch the video lectures, as they are your primary means of instruction.
Student Time Commitment: As per the summer
2005 schedule of classes,
“The hours/week arranged
listed for online classes must be fulfilled through an arrangement established
between the instructor and the student. They do not represent an increase in
the total number of hours for an online class. Hours/week arranged do not have to be fulfilled by in-person class attendance.
Consult with your instructor for information about fulfilling the hours/week
arranged requirement.”
Here is how we
will “meet” the 6.8 hours per week criterion:
In our class, there will be
several forms of online instruction.
Each section of the text has an online video lecture which lasts an
average of 15 minutes. Each section of
the online multimedia textbook contains “extras” such as “You Try It”,
“Explore”, and “Video,” segments; you are expected to spend at least 15 minutes
in each. (This is roughly 30 minutes per
section of the text, of which there are 65 that you will cover this summer
session. This amounts to 32.5 hours, if you are
counting!)
In this class, you are also
expected to take an online practice exam and online unit exam for each of 4
units. You should spend approximately 2
hours on each (for a total of 16 hours.) We will have two on-campus exams and review
sessions (3 hours each) for a total of 6 hours
on-campus.
You are also expected to
communicate with your instructor and fellow classmates via our Discussion Board
for about 30 minutes per week (for a total of 4 hours
during the 8-week session.) We will also hold “online conference calls at
regular intervals.
For those adding these hours,
there is a minimum of 58.5 hours of scheduled time for learning, or an average
of 7.31 hours per week. You are expected
to do homework exercises and practice in addition to these minimum hours.
Selected Codes from the Student Handbook:
Any student found to have committed the following misconduct is subject to disciplinary sanctions:
v Acts of dishonesty, including, but not limited to the following: cheating, plagiarism, or other forms of academic dishonesty.
v Disruption or obstruction of teaching.
v Physical abuse, verbal abuse, threats, intimidation, harassment, coercion, and/or other conduct that threatens or endangers the health and safety of any person.
v Failure to comply with directions
of
v Conduct which is disorderly lewd, indecent, or obscene or expression which interferes with the college's primary educational responsibility.
Cheating and Plagiarism Defined:
The term "cheating" includes, but is not limited to:
v Use of any unauthorized assistance in taking quizzes, tests, or examinations or
v Dependence upon the aid of sources beyond those authorized by the instructor in writing papers, preparing reports, solving problems, or carrying out other assignments or
v Acquisition, without permission, of tests or other academic materials belonging to a member of the VVC faculty or staff.
The term "plagiarism" includes, but is not limited to:
v The use, by paraphrase or direct quotation, of the published or unpublished work of another person without full and clear acknowledgment.
v It also includes the unacknowledged use of materials prepared by another person or agency engaged in the selling of term papers or other academic materials.
(Please see the VVC Student Handbook for other elements of the Student Code of
Conduct.)
Course and College Sanctions for Cheating and/or Plagiarism:
While students may work together on the researching of any assignment, it is
expected that each of their writing assignments reflect substantial individual
effort. Any student who commits plagiarism or is found to have cheated on a scheduled exam is subject to a
zero score for that specific exam and a term
grade of "F" for this course. Students should be aware that
cases of cheating and/or plagiarism will be forwarded to the appropriate
college administrator promptly. The college administration has a range of
sanctions that may be imposed including, but not limited to, academic
suspension or expulsion from the college.
Miscellaneous Items:
v In accordance with college policy, only students who are registered for this course are allowed to be present in the classroom during testing sessions. Unregistered friends, family members, or others cannot legally attend.
v Withdrawal from this course is the solely the responsibility of the student.
v If you
have a learning disability or physical need that requires special
accommodation, please advise me prior to
v Students are encouraged to read the Victor Valley College Catalog for additional information on college policies, student rights, and student responsibilities.