welcome to lsc-tomball independent study math course

04/21/23 Lone Star College - Tomball

Welcome To LSC-Tomball Independent Study Math Course

MATH 0308Section 3007 9W2

Beginning Algebra Orientation

Theresa FritzelOnline: at home

orat one of the Lone Star College campuses

Yes, it really is an independent study course!


Is Independent Study Right for you?

• Benefits– You set your time to study– You determine the pace – HOWEVER:

• must show progress• must finish course within the semester

• Disadvantages– Much harder than a lecture course– No lecture time

• You teach yourself– Textbook– Online resources– Webpages I created

– Easy to procrastinate and fall behind

• Major Requirements for success– Self-discipline– Good study habits

• Should I take an online course?


What Materials do I need?

A computer with internet access

A valid, working email address

MyMathLab Student Access code for the following text:

Essential Algebra Skills by Elayn Martin-Gay, Custom Edition for Lone Star College, Pearson Publishing Inc.This code and workbook are good for 0306, 0308 and 0310

Current combo text has a Mustard and Red coverPrevious (but acceptable) combo text has a Blue and Red cover

You are purchasing an access code and getting a free workbook/text that cannot be returnedLSC – Tomball, LSC – UP, LSC – North Harris bookstores

Supplementary materialsCalculator (not required for 0308, required for 0310)

TI-84 plus, TI-84, TI-83, TI-83


How Much Time?64 total hours

OR 4 hours (or more) each week in Fall and Spring7 hours (or more) each week in Summer

Reading your book/course materialsWorking odd problems in the book

in MyMathLab (MML)Working assigned – graded - homework (at home)Taking tests (at testing center)

in Desire 2 Learn (D2L) Studying materials (at home)Taking the final exam (REQUIRED at testing center)

in math center for tutoring help (if needed)2 hours study/1 credit hour

4 credit hour class = at least 8 hours of study each week


Online = FlexibilityEvery dayThree times a weekTwice a weekWeekends only

Minimum required but no maximumAccrue time at your own paceMust finish all materials by the last day of class

How often?


When are things due?

Homework assignmentsAvailable all semesterDue on the last day of classWorked in MyMathLab from home

Test dates Suggested attempt date is posted to keep you on trackAvailable all semester (once they open)Due on the last day of class (please don’t wait that long)Major exams worked in MML at testing center closest to you

– For out of state or overseas students, email me externally or contact me in D2L after the class begins for information on setting up a testing center for you.

Final exam worked in D2L at testing center closest to you

Withdraw dateHolidays

In D2L, there will be a printable “schedule” as well as start dates listed in the D2L Calendar tab under Resources


What will we be covering?

We will be covering the following in 0308Chapter 8 – Real numbers and Intro to AlgebraChapter 9 – Equations, Inequalities and Problem SolvingChapter 10 – Graphing Equations and InequalitiesChapter 11 – Systems of EquationsChapter 12 – Exponents and PolynomialsChapter 13 – Factoring PolynomialsChapter 14 – Rational Expressions

Review materials posted in D2L in the Content Tab

Do assigned homework in MyMathLab (at home)

Work the practice exams posted in MML or D2L

Tested on concepts, definitions, and processes

MyMathLab ResourcesChapter Contents Section

Complete textbookStudent Solutions Manual

Worked problems for every chapter

Word Problem WorkbookFurther explanations on word problems that are seen in this course

Student Organizer linkPrintable pages that help you “organize” your notes, study plan, and

Tools for SuccessBasic Math and Algebra Review cardsGraphing Calculator helpStudy Skills Builder pages from the text

Guided help links in the homework area“Help me solve this” link“View an example” linkLecture video link“Ask my Professor” link – sends me a message and I reply to you.Make sure you can also work problems without these aids as they will NOT be available to you on exams.



Math Tutoring available at:

LSC-Cy-FairLSC-Fairbanks CenterLSC-Greenspoint CenterLSC-KingwoodLSC-MontgomeryLSC-North HarrisLSC-TomballLSC-University Park

Click here for more information


Resources at LSC-Tomball

Supplemental Books and Exercises

Use in Math AreaMay be checked out

C230 circulation deskAsk first

Free worksheets and handouts

Manipulatives for the kinesthetic learner

Other campuses will most likely have similar resources. Check out the learning center closest to you for more information.


Preparing for ExamsRead your text

Review the materials posted by exam in D2L – Content tab/Course Content/Modules 1 through 4Work the graded homework in MyMathLabNeed Extra Practice?

Rework homework problems...they change each time you access themWork the study plan exercises. These are NOT graded. They will be similar to the graded Homework and will show you which areas you need more work in.Work the odds in your book and check their answers

Work the practice examsThe exams are built directly off of the practice tests.Not on the practice test? Won’t be on the exam.

Use Math Center resourcesFree TutoringManipulativesStudy Aids

Use online tutoring BrainfuseAccess through MyLoneStar Under the LSC-Online button

Use online resources when doing homework in MyMathLabTake tests when indicated


Taking the ExamsOnline (MML main exams, D2L Final exam) in any approved Lone Star College Assessment Center

If you are currently out of state or overseas, we can set up testing in your location.

Contact me in D2L once the course begins for more information.

All of the testing centers in LSCS will have a full roster list and passwords so you can go to any center that works best for you.Know the hours of operation for your chosen center

Click here for testing centers and hours

Photo ID requiredI need to know that it is youNo id, no test

Calculators are helpful and allowed


What will I be graded on?

Online homework assignments in MyMathLab at home

33 homework assignments100 points total

Chapter tests online in D2L at testing center

4 tests, 100 points each400 points total

Final Exam online in D2L at testing center

Cumulative, 150 points

650 total points


Grading Policy A 89.5% - 100.0% B 79.5% - 89.49% C 69.5% - 79.49% IP* or F** < 69.49%

*IP means you completed the course work but didn’t make the required 69.5% to pass

** Reasons for a failing grade:No consistent progressDon’t log enough hoursDon’t take the final exam


How do I get started?First, since we will be doing all of our communication through

email:

Email me with a current email address and include the following:

You must "agree" that you understand how an independent study online course will be different from an “in class” course

list how you think an independent study online course will differ from a lecture course

Send this note to:[email protected]


How do I get started?Second, because your exams and your final

will be administered at Lone Star College testing centers using MML and D2L and

we will use D2L email for secure communication:

Go to LSC-online to get your D2L login and password if you don’t already know it

Click on the “Secure Login” linkThis is a yellow button in the Login to your online classes box at the right of the page.

Next to the username box, click on the “Forgot your Username?” link

Fill out the form with the information requested and you be given your D2L login and initial password. You may be asked immediately to change that password for security reasons.

Login to D2L and look at the home page.Our course will show up after you take the mandatory Orientation provided through the D2L website.


Third, because your homework and main exams will be completed in MML for a

grade:Obtain a new MyMathLab student access code

If you were in 0306, 0308 or 0310 last semester, your account should still be active and might already be tied to this code. Test it before purchasing a new MML student access code.Purchase from LSC-Tomball or LSC-UP bookstorePurchase directly from MyMathLab

Using the student code, register for and login to MyMathLabCourse id for the “Homework Course” and the zip code for LSC-Tomball:

Please note that this code is my last name “fritzel” followed by 5 numbers

– FRITZEL58406Enter the course, click on the Installation Wizard

Prove that you have accessed MyMathLabSend me an email inside D2L and describe how to access the graded homework assignments

How do I get started?


Summary:

Using your current external email address, drop me a note and include the following:

"agree" that you understand how the online course will be different from an “in class” course

list how you think an independent study online course will differ from a lecture course

After the class has begun:Login to MyMathLab and register for our course

Send a message to me through D2L indicating how you access the graded homework assignments in MyMathLab.


How to be successful in Independent Study

CoursesBe Goal oriented; don’t procrastinate, no excuses

Verify understanding of concepts with instructor or tutor

Do your homework BEFORE exams

Work graded MyMathLab assignments nightly

Extra, non-guided practice - odds at the end of each section in the textbook!

Practice good study skillsMyMathLab now has a section under chapter contents called “Student Organizer”.

While you won’t have a class to take notes in, you can use the organizer in combination with the text and help pages in D2L.

Two hours of study for each hour of “class”

Follow Dr. Nolting’s test taking strategies (video in LSC-Tomball Math Lab)

welcome to lsc-tomball independent study math course

Documents