Course Manual/Syllabus Summer 2008
1. Goals of SMART Math
The primary purpose of SMART Math is to provide the opportunity for you to master math skills that you need to be successful in achieving your chosen academic/career goals. We do not want math to determine which careers you are limited to choosing but to make you more successful in whatever career you choose.
We want to help you to survive, master, achieve, review, and transfer Mathematics!
2. Explanation of Module
The course content is organized into twelve modules. The student will be given individualized learning plans providing individualized paths to reach the necessary learning outcomes based on the student’s background, learning preferences, and academic/career goals.
3. Required Student Materials
TEXTBOOK: Developmental Mathematics Custom Edition for Jackson State Community College published by Pearson/Addison Wesley. Because it is a custom edition it is only available in the JSCC Bookstore. However, remember it is used for all twelve modules and comes bundled with your MyMathLab access code.
MYMATHLAB ACCESS CODE: You need a code to access computer homework and tutorials. This code comes bundled with your textbook.
STUDENT COMPUTER ACCOUNT: You will need a JSCC student log-on account to access the computers in the SMART Math Center. Your logon account will be in the format: first initial + middle initial + last name, e.g. jqstudent. Initially, your password will be the same as your PIN which you use to login to Web for Students to register or check your grades.
If you do not remember your PIN, you can show your photo ID at the following locations: Records Office in the Administration Building, Advising Center or Financial Aid Office in the Student Union, Arts and Sciences Office at Nelms Classroom Building Rm 165; Professional and Technical Studies Office in McWherter Building RM 123; Circulation Desk of the Library; main office at Off Campus centers.
STUDENT ID: You will need your student ID in order to get credit for attendance at the SMART Math Center and at sessions outside the SMART Math Center. You must also show your ID when taking an exam in the SMART Math Center.
HEADPHONES: Headphones are needed to listen to the video lectures at the computers. You may purchase them in the JSCC Bookstore. Most headphones from CD players will work.
NON-GRAPHING CALCULATOR: You will need a calculator to work some problems from the homework, quizzes, and tests. A non-graphing calculator is allowed when testing in some modules. You may prefer to use the calculator under accessories in your computer.
4. Learning Activities
The person who knows best what learning activities work best for you is YOU! SMART Math is all about flexibility: flexibility in timing but also flexibility to spend more time on learning activities that work well for you and less on activities that do not help you as much. SMART Math has many options and staff available to help you select the activities that best suit your personal learning style. Some of the learning activities available to you are described below.
FOCUS GROUP: You are not expected to navigate SMART Math alone! Your instructor will meet with you in Focus Groups to help you find your learning style and plan your best path through the available learning activities. Members of your Focus Group will have similar career goals and background. This is your support group for the course and attendance is required.
STUDY THE TEXTBOOK: Guided Studies for each section will be available in the SMART Math Center. The Guided Study is your first step to completing your assignments. Once you have completed the guided study for a section, you should be able to work through your homework assignment in MML. Your focus group instructor will be reviewing the Guided Studies and checking assigned problems from your textbook, so you must have your own copy of the textbook.
COMPUTER HOMEWORK/TUTORIAL:
The computer homework and tutorials parallel the textbook and are available on the SMART Math computers. You may access these tutorials from any computer with a fast connection including your home computer. One of the great features of the computer software is checking your understanding at any time and getting immediate feedback and follow up examples to walk you through the problems step by step.
NOTEBOOKS: You will need to keep a notebook for each module you study. The notebook should be a three ring binder and will include the required Guided Studies and assignments for the module. You are expected to keep your notebook organized and complete.
WORK WITH SMART MATH STAFF: The SMART Math Center staff is available to help you whenever a concept is not clear or when you are having difficulty with a problem. This means you have help when you need it. We always have time for you! SMART Math Center hours will be posted.
COACHES’ CORNER: Have you ever asked yourself, “But why did I miss this question?” “How can I figure out what I really need to study or do not understand?” Find the answers in the Coaches’ Corner. You will be given the opportunity to retake a test if you are not successful the first time. You may meet with a Math Coach who will review your work and suggest study strategies to use so that you are more successful on your next attempt.
“LIVE” LECTURES: If the learning style that makes sense for you is traditional lecture with a real live instructor, this is an option available to you. Live lecture schedules will be posted in the SMART Math Center. Your Focus Group Instructor can assist you in finding one to work into your schedule.
WALK-IN TUTORING MATH LAB: Next to the SMART Math Center is a Math Lab where you can go to work on computers and get assistance when the SMART Math Center is not open. It is located in C101.
5. Timing
In most three credit college courses; the average student spends 9 to 12 hours per week to be successful in the course. In traditional courses students spend 3 hours in a lecture and 6 or more hours doing homework assignments and studying. In this course, you will spend up to one hour per week in a classroom setting (attending your Focus Group meeting) and as much time as you need participating in SMART Math learning activities. We require that 3 hours be spent with us in the SMART Math Center where some of our best resources are available to you, but you are always welcome to spend more time there. Many students spend all their math time in the SMART Math Center where tutors are available. You will receive credit toward your final grade for conscientiously attending focus group and putting in the three hours per week in the SMART Math Center. The amount of time you spend studying math will greatly increase your chances of success in this course.
6. Credit for Participation
ATTEND YOUR FOCUS GROUP MEETING AS SCHEDULED. Your Focus Group will help you effectively use all the activities available in the course and help focus your learning on the important aspects of the course. In addition your instructor may review the Guided Studies and check assignments, or grade other work during the focus group meeting. Attendance at each scheduled focus group meeting is required, but you are allowed one absence per semester with no penalty. If you are ahead of your focus group, your instructor may excuse your required attendance.
PARTICIPATE IN A SMART MATH LEARNING ACTIVITY FOR 3 HOURS EACH WEEK. As mentioned above, you must spend three hours of your total math learning time (test taking counts toward your learning time) in the SMART Math Center each week. You will receive attendance points for these hours as part of your grade.
To receive credit for the time you spend in the SMART Math Center you need to check-in and check-out at the desk as you enter the room. Hours that the SMART Math Center will be open and staffed with SMART Math helpers will be posted.
7. Exams
The examination for each Module will be taken in the SMART Math Center on MyMathLab. To access the exam, click on the button labeled “tests”. A proctor will be available to enter a password for you to access your tests. Before taking a test, you must have completed all homework assignments including the test review found in “Homework”, and the practice test for that Module found in “Quizzes and Tests”.
If after taking the first version of a particular test, you are not satisfied with your grade; you may study what you missed and then take another version of the test. In preparing for the retest, you should use the Coaches’ Corner before you retake the test. You may take a test up to three times and your best score will be used. A test and retest can only be taken on the same day with your instructor’s permission.
IMPORTANT: YOU MAY NOT USE NOTES, YOUR TEXTBOOK, OR OTHER AIDS WHEN TAKING EXAMS. A TEST TEMPLATE WILL BE PROVIDED FOR YOU TO SHOW YOUR WORK ON THE TEST IN AN ORGANIZED MANNER – SCRATCH PAPER IS NOT PERMITTED. THE TEST TEMPLATE MUST BE TURNED IN TO THE PROCTOR UPON SUBMITTING YOUR TEST IN MYMATHLAB.
NOTE: In rare cases, the computer may indicate you missed an answer when in fact you did not. If you suspect that this may have happened or other computer glitches occurred, be sure to indicate this to your test proctor when you turn in your test template. The proctor will note your concern and your test will be looked at to see if your grade should be adjusted. In order to support a claim that a computer error has occurred, it is important that your work be clearly demonstrated on your test template.
You are expected to do your own work on the tests. Cheating on tests, misrepresentation of attendance, falsifying records, or lying will result in loss of credit for all work involved. Additional sanctions will be imposed as appropriate, in accordance with JSCC’s Academic Honesty policy which is found in the College Catalog and Student Handbook.
8. Grade Calculation
Module grades will be calculated as follows:
- SMART Math Center attendance 5%
(Absences Equivalent to One Week’s attendance per Semester is allowed)
- Notebooks 10%
- Homework 5%
- Exam 70%
.
Your Course Grade will then be determined by the following scale based on the average of
Modules 1, 2, and 3 for DSPM 0700
Modules 4, 5, 6, and 7 for DSPM 0800
Modules 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 for DSPM 0850
95 – 100 % = A
85 – 94% = B
75 – 84% = C
If you do not complete all the modules required for the course, a grade of F or PR will be posted. Eligibility for a PR will be based on the student having met the attendance requirements, successful completion of at least two modules, and whether or not the student has received a grade in the course previously.
9. Communications and email
Announcements about the course, special sessions, changes in schedules or procedures, and so forth will be made in your Focus Groups, on the MML course site, and by email. Any questions you have about the course, or about your progress in the course should be directed to your Focus Group teacher. You are expected to check your JSCC email regularly.
If you have any problems or any general questions, you should first contact your Focus Group teacher. You can also contact Betty Frost, Chair of the Mathematics Department.
10. Academic and Classroom Misconduct
SMART Math Students are expected to maintain Academic Honesty in all their work. Collaboration is encouraged on many assignments such as homework and guided study. Tutors are available to assist you with this sort of work. Exams are considered individual work and must be completed without unauthorized assistance of any kind, including help of other students, tutors, notes, or graphing calculators. All test material is to be turned in with the test paper. Attempting to bring work out of the testing area and/or share that work with other students is consider cheating. Cheating on tests, misrepresentation of attendance, falsifying records, or lying will result in loss of credit for all work involved.
Excerpted from the 2007-2008 Jackson State Community College Catalog and Student Handbook, page 185:
- The instructor has the primary responsibility for control of classroom and behavior and maintenance of academic integrity, and can order the temporary removal or exclusion from the classroom any student engaged in disruptive conduct or conduct voliative of the general rules and regulations of the institution. Extended or permanent exclusion from the classroom or further disciplinary action can be effected through appropriate procedures of the institution.
- Plagiarism, cheating and other form of academic dishonesty are prohibited. Students guilty of academic misconduct, either directly or indirectly, through participation or assistance, are immediately responsible to the instructor of the class. In addition to other possible disciplinary sanctions, which may be imposed through the regular institutional procedures, as a result of academic misconduct, the instructor has the authority to assign an “F” or a zero for the exercise or examination, or to assign an “F” in the course.
- Disruptive behavior in the classroom may be defined as, but is not limited to, behavior that obstruct or disrupts the learning environment (e.g., offensive language, harassment of students and professors, repeated outburst from a student which disrupt the flow of instruction or prevent concentration on the subject that, failure to cooperate in maintaining classroom decorum, etc.), the continued use of electronic or other noise or light emitting device which disturbs others (e.g., disturbing noises from beepers, cell phones, pal pilots, lap-top computers, games, etc.)
11. Americans with Disabilities Act
Jackson State will make reasonable accommodations for persons with documented physical, mental, or learning disabilities. Students should notify their instructor and the Coordinator of Disabled Student Services – located in the Counseling Office, Room 12 of the Student Union Building - of any documented special needs. Instructors should be notified the first week of class. All discussions remain confidential.