0372 Introductory Algebra Web based

** The final exam will be proctored. You must take it on the Odessa College campus. VCT students must find a college testing center.

**Read course announcements each time you log on to Course Compass.

Orientation Information:
Go to www.coursecompass.com and click on the words 'Take A Tour.' If you have an access kit, watch the tour Register & Enroll Using an Access Code. If you want to buy it online, watch the tour Register & Enroll by Purchasing Online.

You are responsible for thoroughly reading my website for all course information. Let me know if you have any questions about what you are expected to do in this class. You need to (1) Register your access code (2) Load plug-ins and (3) For each section (a) do lecture & practice (b) do homework and (c) take a test.

	Getting Started You need need to read my web page "My Math Lab Information" to get all of the details about the My Math Lab software that will be used in this class. It is powered by Course Compass, not Blackboard. You need to purchase the My Math Lab access kit. You do not need to purchase a text for this class.
	Instructions for registering with the computer software are on the My Math Lab Info page. Your course id is: COURSE ID for fall 2008 is handley71086.
	When you are done registering, you will not need to repeat this process anymore. You can access the program from any computer that has internet access. You will go to www.coursecompass.com and now click log-in instead of register. If you are on a computer for the first time you will have to load the plug-ins before you can start your work. Remember you only need to load them once, but they have to be loaded on the each computer you work on such as home and work.
	Loading Plug-ins: Steps to load plug-ins are on the My Math Lab Info page of my website. Plug-ins are little programs you need on your computer to make the software work. Even though you are logged in, you will not be able to work on the program unless the plug-ins are loaded. You have to load these plug-ins on any computer you use.
	The Student Support number is 1-800-677-6337. Mon - Fri 9 am - 6pm EST

Course Information
      Technology: You must have a valid e-mail address. All work is done through the internet, so you need good internet access. If you do not have internet access, you may use the computers in the math lab. All work is submitted over the internet as soon as you finish.
        Grade: Homework 30% Tests 45% Final Exam 15% Study Plan & Discussion Board 10% You will receive an 'F' if you do not take the final exam.

         Pacing: This course is not a self-paced course.   All material and assignments are date specific and must be followed. The course is broken up by chapters with weekly due dates.   The chapters will have to be completed by the due dates and test taken in the time frame provided. If you do not finish by the due date, you will get a grade on what you completed and given zeros for what you did not complete. Stay up with the course. Make an effort to work on the course everyday.   This will also help you learn the material better. You may turn in assignments before the due date, but you cannot work ahead. Remember that each section is submitted to me as you finish.

	Assignments are posted in the program.
	Click here for the SCAVENGER HUNT DUE by Sept 8.
	Summer schedule of assignments is in Course Compass under assignments. All assignments are due by midnight on the due day.

Weeks of Semester

week 1	Aug 25	week 9	Oct 20
week 2	Sept 1	week 10	Oct 27
week 3	Sept 8	week 11	Nov 3
week 4	Sept 15	week 12	Nov 10
week 5	Sept 22	week 13	Nov 17
week 6	Sept 29	week 14	Nov 24
week 7	Oct 6	week 15	Dec 1
week 8	Oct 13	week 16	Dec 8

** The final exam will be proctored. You must take it on the Odessa College campus. VCT students must find a college testing center.

Tutoring in ET 120
Mon - Thurs 8:30 am - 8:30 pm and Fri 8:30 am - 1 pm No Friday tutoring during the summer.

Daily Routine for assignments: For each section you will (1) do the Lecture and Practice (2) do the homework. For each chapter you will take a test.

1. Go www.coursecompass.com

For LECTURE & PRACTICE 10% of Grade – You must spend 14 hours in this area which is about 25 minutes per section. Summer students need 7 hours. You can get in and out of this section as needed. When you log out, the software will save everything you did and let you start where you left off next time.
1. Log into your course
2. Click Study Plan
3. Click on the + sign beside the chapter you want to work on to bring up the sections
4. Click on the section you want
5. On this screen you can click the blue words 'Watch section video' on the right of
the screen (Watch and Take Notes like sitting in class)
6. Click on the problems you want to do. These are practice problems to work until you feel confident. These are not your homework assignment. You need to work enough problems so that you will be able to complete the homework with a good grade. THERE IS NO END TO THESE, YOU CAN WORK HUNDREDS OF PROBLEMS IF YOU WANT!

	FOR HOMEWORK 30% of Grade: You can get in and out of this section as needed. When you log out the software will save everything you did and let you pick up where you left off. You can also resubmit homework before the due date. 1. Log into your course 2. Click on the Homework button on the left 2. Click on the assignment you need 3. Do the homework. When you COMPLETELY finish the homework assignment, hit the "submit homework" button to turn it in. The homework will be automatically graded and recorded in your grade book. When you are working in the homework, you must click on the next problem number to get to the next problem. Only the homework that is available will be shown. Some problems have a video camera next to them. If you click on the camera, you will get the video lecture again about that specific type of problem.
	FOR TESTS 45% of Grade : You are not allowed to log in and out of the test. Once you start a test you have to finish it. If you log out, you will be given an incomplete and will not be allowed to answer the rest of the problems. Tests are timed. You have 60 minutes to complete the chapter tests and 120 minutes for the final exam. Do not use notes or book on the tests. 1. Log into your course 2. Click on Test button on the left 2. Click on the test you need to take under 'Assigned Test'. There are practice tests in the bottom section that you can take, but they don't count towards your grade. The graded test will not be visible until the dates that is is available to take.
	Discussion Board and First Class Assignment 10% of grade 1. You are responsible for completing the First Class Assignment and emailing it to me. There is a link to it in the middle of this page. Include your name and class. 2. You are responsible for posting on the discussion board in a timely manner.

GRADES
To access your grades at any time click on the Grade book button