Title: WELCOME to the FCCJ Kent Campus INDIVIDUALLYPACED Mathematics Classes
1WELCOMEto the FCCJ Kent CampusINDIVIDUALLY-PAC
ED Mathematics Classes
2This course requires self-discipline and is not a
traditional lecture classroom! PROCRASTINATORS
NEED NOT APPLY!
3What is Individually-Paced?
- Individually-paced means that you learn at your
own individual rate. If you understand a
concept, you pick up the pace and go more
quickly. If you have difficulty, then you can
take the time you need to learn the material. - Please be aware that this does not give you
unlimited time. You still have to complete by
the end of the semester!
4- In a Traditional Classroom,
- you must go at the pace the instructor sets. If
you have difficulty, you have little time to seek
help and learn the material, simply because the
instructor must go on to new ideas. This often
leaves the student lost and behind. Students who
are having difficulty keeping up with classwork
rarely are able to go faster than the rest of the
class to catch up. Consequently, they stay
behind, get discouraged and often quit. When
they return to take the course again, the process
repeats itself.
5- In an Individually-paced Class,
- you have to learn each concept before you can
move forward. Should you fail to complete the
course in a semester, you can enroll and return
the next semester, and you can pick up where you
left off. Because you have to learn every
concept before moving forward, you will have
better retention of the material and a better
chance of passing the Exit Exam. Lets take a
look at this process.
6Individually-paced does NOT equal Whenever
7ATTENDANCE POLICY ATTENDANCE IS
MANDATORY! Students not in attendance for the
entire class period WILL be marked absent.
(Students are expected to be in class from start
time to end time.) Students exceeding college
allowance for missed classes (15 or 4 classes)
WILL receive a grade of FN (failure due to
non-attendance). This can affect your financial
aid status.
8Module One
Here we go! The syllabus provides you with
information, pages to read, questions to work on
(practice), etc., to review for the test of
Module 1. You should read each section carefully,
then do the margin problems assigned. Since the
margin problems are so close to the explanations,
you will also want to also try extra practice
problems from the exercise sections or software.
This will give you a clearer picture of how well
you understand the material.
9Getting Ready for The Test !
The truest method of determining whether you are
ready for a test is to ask yourself DO I KNOW
THIS STUFF? You are ready only if the answer is
yes. I think so, maybe, or Im not sure,
are ALL NO. YES, you say? Lets test.
10The MOD Test
Remember, you must score an 80 or better on the
Mod-test if you wish to move on to the next
module.
11NOT READY?
- Here is some advise on how to get ready.
- 1. Read the entire section before you do any of
the problems. - 2. Review the examples trying to understand what
they are showing you. - 3. Always, always, always write down anything you
do not understand and bring it to class so we can
use your class time teaching you what you do not
know. - 4. Try the assigned margin problems. Remember
that the tests will not have instructions on the
same page like the margin problems do. - 5. Work some of the extra practice problems in
the exercise section. This will tell you if you
really understand how to do the work.
12This is just a test TEST TEST TEST, TEST.!!!!!
Take your time. Read the question, and do the
work. Answer the question. Check your
work. Remember that you did not take this test
until you were ready, so you should do well.
13I need help! Where can I get it? Try the
abacus.-gt
http//www.fccj.org/library/deerwood/math.htmsucc
ess
14So, The Test Didnt Go So Well!
You did not get an 80 or better. What next? You
will need to go back and re-do the margin
problems and possibly some of the exercise
problems.
We are not trying to penalize you. The idea is
to get you more practice on the material you did
not know. Now, it is even more important that
you write down any problems that are giving you
difficulty and bring them to class. This work
MUST be turned in prior to taking a Post Test
15- Additional Materials and Help.
- SOFTWARE
- As well as the book, you will have access to
mathematics software designed to augment your
text. The software is designed to help you
somewhat like a tutor. It is matched to your
textbook, and has the tutorials, videos, on-line
tutors, etc. to help you. - VIDEO
- We also have video on both video tapes and CD
that provides short comprehensive lectures
matching each section of your text.
16- The interactive mathematics software allows you
to - Do the problem and check your answer
- Ask for a sample problem This will show you each
and every step required to successfully answer
the question. - 3. Select a guided solution. The software leads
you through the steps, but you have to do the
work.
This type of interaction is far superior to
flipping to the back of the book to check your
answers.
17WHAT IS THAT YOU SAY? You are still having
difficulty? Not to worry. You are not required
to teach yourself, but, rather to take
responsibility for your learning. You still have
more help available. The Learning Center located
in building C and located right next to the
library has math tutors available whenever the
Learning Center is open. Please dont forget
your instructor. I am here for the sole purpose
of helping you to learn the material. I do not
read minds. Therefore, for the greatest chance
of success, bring your questions to class so that
you can get them answered.
18End of Semester Options
The end of the semester is rapidly approaching,
and I have not completed every module. What are
my options? First of all, you MUST complete ALL
modules and have a C average to be eligible for
the exit exam. Lets suppose that it is late in
the semester and it is clear that you will be
unable to complete all the modules. You may 1 If
you complete through a target module (TBD by the
instructor), you will receive an I incomplete
grade. You will have a maximum of one semester
to finish all tests and take and pass the exit
exam. Fail the exit exam twice and you take the
entire course over. Note You will not have to
enroll again to finish, however, you will not be
able to register for any mathematics courses
until you finish this one.
19End of Semester Options contd
- Lets suppose that you are clearly not going to
finish or to get through module ten. What can
you do? You may enroll in the same self-paced
course next semester, and just pick up where you
left off. - You may also decide to take the course in a
traditional setting if you wish. - Should you finish early, you will simply take the
exit exam, and if you pass it, you may start the
next mathematics course and work on it at no cost
until the end of the semester.