Math Module Courses Orientation

1
Math Module Courses Orientation
Math 62R, 70R, 72R, 97R

• Independent Study Mathematics Opportunities

Please pick up a binder and make sure there you
get a course code handout, a yellow module log,
and a blank contract.
2
Math 62R, 70R, 72R, 97R
Contacting Me

• Name Donnie Hallstone

• E-mail dhallstone_at_greenriver.edu

• Office SMT 321

• Phone [phone] x 4353 (Use email instead)!
• Office Hours Office hours during the summer are
  online only. I will check email each day M-Th

• Make sure you get a copy of my card

3
Math 62R, 70R, 72R, 97R
Why a Math Module?

• You are taking a regular math course (lecture
  or Hawkes Learning Systems) and want to improve
  your grade.

• You want to get ready for the course into which
  you were placed by the Compass test.

• You want to study on your own, with hopes of
  improving your Compass placement without taking a
  5-credit class.

4
Math 62R, 70R, 72R, 97R
In all cases

• For 2 credits, you are committing to doing 40
  hours of work using the ALEKS software. (20
  hours 1 credit)

• Time is kept by the program so you dont need a
  time sheet.

• You must write two 1-page papers, one at the
  midterm, and one at the end of the quarter.
  (more on this later!)

5
Math 62R, 70R, 72R, 97R
Midterm Deadline

• July 12-14, 2010 mark that on your contract on
  the line I will complete approximately
  half of the work for the quarter by the middle of
  the quarter and show the module binder to my
  instructor during the middle week of the quarter
  (July 12-14, 2010 ) .

• You should have about 20 hours on ALEKS at the
  midterm deadline. Put your written work in the
  green folder.

• Put the first 1-page paper in the blue folder.
  This should include a description of the
  resources the Math Division provides and which
  one(s) you took advantage of.

• Drop the binder off in the MLC. Make sure your
  yellow log sheet is included. Pick the binder
  back up in the MLC in 1-2 days.

6
Math 62R, 70R, 72R, 97R
Final Deadline

• August 12, 2010 mark that on your contract on
  the line I will return the
  module binder to my instructor or the MLC on or
  before Study Day (August 12, 2010) .

• Include all your written work. This is OPTIONAL
  This goes in the green Student work folder. It
  may be picked after the binder is graded if you
  would like to keep it.

• Put both 1-page papers in the blue folder. The
  final paper should be a description of what math
  you worked on and an evaluation of the course .

• Drop the binder off in the MLC. Leave the
  initialed yellow log sheet with the binder.

7
Math 62R, 70R, 72R, 97R
Recap of the papers

• Did you say papers in a math class?!

• Yes, here is what is required

• Midterm paper 1 whole page typed (regular
  margins, 12 point font, double spaced this
  should be 350-400 words. I will only count words
  if it looks short).
• Description of all the resources provided by
  the Math Division and which one(s) you took
  advantage of. You must use at least one of them.
  Check your first white sheet in the binder for
  some websites that might help you find some of
  the resources.

8
Math 62R, 70R, 72R, 97R
Recap of the papers

• More on the Midterm paper.

• You should approach the midterm in this way
  Pretend you are writing an article for the school
  paper. Make your first sentences be something
  like the following. Are you taking a math
  class? You should know about the resources that
  the Math Division has for math students.
• Remember that you do not need to use all the
  resources as you write your article, mention
  which one or ones you have used though.
• Make sure you keep an electronic copy of the
  paper!!

9
Math 62R, 70R, 72R, 97R
Recap of the papers

• Final paper 1 whole page typed (same deal
  350-400 words).

• A summary of what math you worked on. If there
  were applications of the math that you found
  useful or interesting, tell me about them.

• An evaluation of the course. Did it meet your
  needs? Did you do better in a regular math course
  (if you were taking one)? Did you pass the
  entrance exam (if you were attempting one)? Was
  ALEKS right for you?
• Make sure you keep an electronic copy of the
  paper!

10
ALEKS Registration

• Before You Begin you will need
• A 10-Digit Course Code provided by your
  instructor (see next slide)
• A 20-Digit Student Access Code purchased at the
  bookstore or purchased online

Some of the remaining slides will be duplicated
in your binder. The course codes will be on a
separate handout. In the orientation I will go
through these quickly refer back to them when
you buy the software.
11
Prior to Registration

• Before You Begin you will need
• A 10-Digit Course Code provided by your
  instructor

Get your 10 digit course code from me. This is
different for each course and each quarter. It
will be on a separate handout Math 62R/Basic
Math XLGWT-L9L3U Math 70R/Prealgebra
RG44Q-WEMKE Math 72R/Beginning Algebra
LAYTM-WCQT3 Math 97R/Intermediate Algebra
D49XV-ACC6J  
12
Prior to Registration

• Before You Begin you will need
• A 20-Digit Student Access Code purchased at the
  bookstore or purchased online.

Go to http//catalogs.mhhe.com/aleks/index.do and
walk through the steps to purchase an Access
Code. Be sure you order the Higher-Ed 1- Quarter
(11 weeks) version for 47. (see pictures on the
next few slides). The other option, if you
prefer, is to buy the code at the bookstore for
60-62.67. If someone is reimbursing you for
the cost of the software, the bookstore option
may be more attractive. Otherwise, many prefer to
save the extra money. The Access Code you are
buying is a 20 digit code
13
The link on the previous page gets you to here.
14
After you put in the course code, you should see
this confirmation. Make sure the course is the
right one. Hit continue.
15
On this page you get a link to the place to buy
the access code. If you bought it at the
bookstore, you put the code in the boxes instead.
16
Be sure to buy the 11 week code (people trying to
save money by buying the 6 week or by the month
versions were not able to get in my class in
ALEKS)
17
You must have a credit card for this option
18
At this point, I had to quit since I was not
buying the access code. I have been assured by
students that it takes you back to finish
registering. (If this didnt work and you already
have both the course code and access code, see
the end of this slide show for the steps to
finish.)
19
Math 62R, 70R, 72R, 97R
Using ALEKS

• When you log onto ALEKS you may go directly to
  this inbox page. If so, read the emails and then
  click on Done which would be at the bottom.

20
Math 62R, 70R, 72R, 97R
Initial Assessment

• Before they teach you anything, you have to do an
  assessment. You want to do this honestly
  meaning you dont skip problems you can possibly
  do, and you dont get help to do problems you
  really dont know how to do. Both of those hurt
  your learning process, and remember that you are
  only graded on your time, not how much of you pie
  is filled in. (See pie on next slide)

21
Math 62R, 70R, 72R, 97R
Your first time in ALEKS it may look like this.
(This is me as a student.)
22
Math 62R, 70R, 72R, 97R
Navigating in ALEKS

• The two destinations in ALEKS are My Pie where
  you go to do work and Report where you can
  check how much time you have put in.

23
Math 62R, 70R, 72R, 97R
My Pie is where you learn!
24
Math 62R, 70R, 72R, 97R
Report shows your time
25
Math 62R, 70R, 72R, 97R
What not to do
26
Math 62R, 70R, 72R, 97R
What to do if you have problems with ALEKS

• Go to support.aleks.com
• If they are not responsive, let me know, but they
  are usually really good.

27
Math 62R, 70R, 72R, 97R
Where do I start?

• Make sure you have the directions on how to
  purchase ALEKS (in the binder) and the course
  code (separate page)

• Make sure you have directions on how to sign up
  for your Green River email (in the binder)

• Get logged on to ALEKS as soon as you can. (Note
  that if you are at a public computer like at a
  library you should use aleks.com/plugin instead
  of aleks.com to log on.)

28
Math 62R, 70R, 72R, 97R
Where do I start? (Part 2)

• Read over the ALEKS user guide. It is available
  as a webpage ( http//www.aleks.com/user_guides/le
  arners-highedmath ) or a PDF that can be printed
  out (http//www.aleks.com/manual/pdf/learners-high
  edmath.pdf ). Mark the date for this on your
  time log.

• Start doing a little bit of math very oftenTry
  not to do 4 hours at a sitting.
• If this is not the Orientation session, you
  should continue through the end of the slides!!!

29
Math 62R, 70R, 72R, 97R
Whats left today?

• Fill out your contract. Initial all the
  statements. Fill in the appropriate midterm and
  final dates. Sign and date the contract. The
  binder number is on the spine of the binder. Keep
  the back copy for your records and turn in the
  top copy

• If you have Financial Aid or DSS paperwork, give
  it to me.

• If this is orientation and there is time, we will
  go on. If there is not time, you will come back
  to this from the webpage and read the rest of the
  slides. Also if this is not orientation, keep
  going through the slides until the end.

30
Math 62R, 70R, 72R, 97R
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

• Does this class meet the Prerequisite for the
  next course?

• Not per se. However, you can take an Entrance
  Exam at the end of the class, and if you get 80
  or above you will get permission to move on to
  the next class. This is only reasonable if you
  are reviewing material you have previously
  learned.

• Do we meet again as a group?

• No. You do check in with me at mid quarter, but
  there is not another group meeting.

31
Math 62R, 70R, 72R, 97R
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

• Do I have to do my work at the MLC?

• No. You may do your work on ALEKS anywhere that
  you have internet access. However, the most
  successful students are those that schedule it
  into their day. That is often easier if you go to
  the MLC.

• What if I dont finish 40 hours?

• If you do at least 20 hours, and do the 2 1-page
  papers, I will give you 1 credit. Be aware that
  you may then fall below the 12 credits needed for
  financial aid, athletics, car insurance, etc.

• Is this a regular graded class?

• No. It is only pass/fail grading.

32
Math 62R, 70R, 72R, 97R
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

• How do I access my Green River email address?

• Go to www.greenriver.edu/studentemail. Make sure
  you have the handout that describes the email
  system. It is in your binder.

• If you still want to use your current email
  address, have the GRCC one forwarded to your old
  one, or check them both.

• Will this email address go away?

• No it is yours for life!

• Do I have to buy ALEKS?

• Yes it is a course requirement for your 40 hours.

33
Math 62R, 70R, 72R, 97R
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

• What about ALEKS worksheets? (READ THIS!)
• These are a little problematic. The time doesnt
  show on ALEKS. Also the answers are not provided
  unless you ask me for them each time. Do not use
  the worksheets unless you are doing them on your
  own time and not counting them for this class.
  Clicking on them immediately sends me a solution
  sheet, so I know when you have done it.
• Why do they ask me to sign in at the MLC?

• That is unrelated to the module classes. Their
  funding is dependent on usage, so you are helping
  us to keep the MLC financially afloat. Please
  sign in there.

34
Math 62R, 70R, 72R, 97R
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

• If I am in Math 70R, do I need to cover Math 70
  material?

• No. You work on those topics the you need help
  with, no matter what course those topics are
  from. That is the strength of ALEKS. If you
  decide the material is too easy or too hard, let
  me know.

• Can I count other reading/study/tutoring time
  towards my hours?

• No. Nothing (except workshops) counts towards
  your 40 hours except what you do on ALEKS. ALEKS
  keeps track of the time and progress. WORKSHEETS
  DO NOT COUNT!

35
Math 62R, 70R, 72R, 97R
MLC Resources Available
The MLC (Math Learning Center) is in SMT 355 (Pay
attention your first paper needs this kind of
info!!)

• Videos

• Some text specific
• Calculator videos for Math 72R, 97
• You will learn better if you watch with pencil
  and paper in hand

• Tutors

• Available 7am-7pm Monday-Thursday
• 7am-4pm Friday
• Always work with pencil and paper and dont let
  the tutors work the problems for you.

36
Math 62R, 70R, 72R, 97R
MLC Resources Available

• Extra Textbooks

• Pick Annotated Instructors Editions (AIE), if
  available.
• If not an AIE, work odd problems with answers.

• Computer Software
• Make sure you use pencil and paper to work the
  problems
• Workshops

• Fractions, factoring, calculator, and other
  workshops are often offered. These count instead
  of ALEKS. They are the only things that reduce
  your 40 hour ALEKS requirement.

37
Registration (only if you did not get registered
in the previous process-otherwise stop now)

• Before You Begin you will need
• A 10-Digit Course Code provided by your
  instructor
• A 20-Digit Student Access Code purchased at the
  bookstore or purchased online.

Step 1 Go to the ALEKS website for Higher
Education Math by typing in the following
address http//www.aleks.com
Enter your 10-digit Course Code and click
Continue
Click on SIGN UP NOW!
38

• Step 3 Enter your 20-digit Access Code
• Purchased at the bookstore or online at
  http//catalogs.mhhe.com/aleks/index.do

• Step 2 Confirm and Click Continue

39

• Step 4 Enter Your Personal Information
• Read the Agreement and click Continue

• Step 5 Account Creation, record your
• Login name and Password, click continue

My Login Name__________________ My
Password____________________
40

• Step 6 Registration Complete
• click Continue

• Step 7 Checking for Plug-ins

41
Thats it you have now completed your ALEKS
Registration and downloaded the Plug-ins. If
you were unable to download the Plug-in, you will
use a different address when you log in later.
You will be directed to the Answer Editor
Tutorial. Remember you only REGISTER in ALEKS
once. After that to enter ALEKS you simply
LOG-IN with your personal log-in name and
password. You will log-in at aleks.com. If you
couldnt download the plug-in you will log in at
aleks.com/plugin. This would include when you
are using public computers like at a public
library.

• If you need technical support, please visit
  http//support.aleks.com.