A Year-long Pathway to Complete MATH 1111: College Algebra A year-long path to complete MATH 1111 will consist of 1-2 Learning Support (LS) classes and MATH 1111. The first semester will consist of the LS course MATH 0989: Foundations for College Algebra. The second semester will consist of the gateway course MATH 1111 and the co-requisite just in time support course MATH 0999. MATH 0999 will be taken during the same semester as MATH 1111. Students with lower placement scores will be placed in this year-long path. Semester 1: MATH 0989 Semester 2: MATH 1111 MATH 0999 MATH 0989 Foundations for College Algebra Credit: 4 hours Description: A study of the essential mathematical concepts required for success in Math 1111: College Algebra. Topics include properties of numbers, linear equations and inequalities, quadratic equations, graphs, polynomials, and roots. Lecture/Lab Hours: Four hours per week MATH 0999 Support for College Algebra Credit: 1-2 hours Co-requisite: MATH 1111 Description: This course is designed to support a student taking MATH 1111 with just in time assistance. Topics will parallel topics being studied in MATH 1111 as well as the essential quantitative skills needed to be successful MATH 1111. Lecture/Lab Hours: Two hours per week
Recommended Models for MATH 0989 Foundations for College Algebra This 4 credit hour course could meet 4 times per week for 50 minutes each, 3 times per week for 70 minutes each, or 2 times per week for 100 minutes each. The later 2 accommodate assessments in an emporium model better. I. Emporium Models Emporium models require computer labs for scheduled class time and additionally, computers must be available to students for outside the scheduled class time. The class time lab can be small with about 20 computers for student use and an instructor, or large with the ratio of 1 instructor/tutor for every 20 students. These models also require instructional software. A. Emporium Model using ALEKS ALEKS is a uniquely designed software teaching product that is designed to assess each student and provide individualize, mastery-based instruction. The instruction can be associated with a McGraw-Hill text to provide an ebook and video instructional resources. Choose an ALEKS 360 book for these resources. Georgia Gwinnett College, Middle Georgia State College, and Georgia Perimeter College (and perhaps others) are currently using this web-based system. B. Emporium Model using MyMathLab MyMathLab is a rich online system that contains video instruction, and ebook and a robust homework/practice system. The system can be individualized by being set up in modules by creating pre and posttests. USG faculty experimenting with this instructional tool reported that it takes instructor time to customize the product, but that resulted in success for many students. College of Coastal Georgia and Georgia Perimeter College piloted emporium models using this product. II. Models without access to computer labs for scheduled class time A. Online homework systems Any of the current major book vender s beginning/intermediate algebra textbooks has topics appropriate to this course. Pearson s MyMathLab and McGraw-Hill s Connect Math provide robust online homework systems to help students working outside of class without an instructor. These systems explain how to work missed problems and offer similar problems. Students grades are recorded for the instructor and the instructor can tell at a glance whether a student is doing the assignments. Both systems mentioned also provide instructional videos. B. Flipped instruction Homework systems with videos can also be used for flipped instruction. Students can view instructional videos outside of class, and working problems in class with the help of the
instructor. An instructor could also record their own instructional videos to be used in this model. The entire class could be flipped or only flipped on certain days. III. Student support models An ancillary student support model is an important component of a successful pathway through gateway mathematics. Many institutions have an Academic Resource Center (ARC) with Mathematics tutors. Such tutors are useful for the timid student who fears instructor s office hours. Middle Georgia State College on their Macon campus has created a Mathematics Academic Resource Center (MARC) is solely for mathematics tutoring and also has computers for students to use with ALEKS and online homework systems outside of class. The Director and Assistant Director have bachelor degrees in mathematics. Tutors are mathematics majors. Students are allowed to sign up for up to 2 hours of tutoring per week. This support model has been highly successful and an integral part in promoting increases in success rates in gateway mathematics courses. Recommended Course Content for MATH 0989 Foundations for College Algebra From the standard MATH0097, MATH0098, MATH0099 material these students currently must take, this course should cover, at a minimum: Numeracy (negative numbers, fractions, order of operations) Solving Linear Equations and Inequalities Operations with and Factoring of Polynomial Expressions Simplifying Rational Expressions Simplification of and Operations with Radicals Graphing of linear Equations in Two Variables Solving Quadratic Equations This course need not include concepts of systems of equations, operations with rational expressions and function notation, provided that these topics will be covered on an as needed basis in MATH0999. Though drawing from the same material as MATH 0097, MATH 0098 and MATH 0099, MATH 0989 should not be approached as a condensed version of these classes. The focus will be to supply the pre- College Algebra foundations to the students but to also try to integrate College Algebra concepts into the course. Material in the MATH 0989 and MATH 0999 courses at any given institution will need to be structured in such a way that any elementary or intermediate algebra material not covered in MATH 0989 but needed for success in MATH 1111 is covered in the MATH0999. Recommended Course Objectives for MATH 0989 Foundations for College Algebra 1. Perform the four fundamental operations on the set of whole numbers, fractions, decimals, integers and rational numbers, and apply the operations in their proper order. 2. Solve linear equations. 3. Solve simple linear inequalities. 4. Graph linear equations in two variables. 5. Perform the four basic operations on polynomials. 6. Solve and graph simple linear inequalities.
7. Factor polynomials. 8. Solve quadratic equations. 9. Simplify rational expressions. 10. Perform the four basic operations on and simplify radical expressions. 11. Distinguish between rational and irrational numbers. 12. Understand the structure of the Real and Complex number systems. Recommended Course Content for MATH 0989 Foundations for College Algebra This course is designed to cover the topics in beginning and intermediate algebra that are essential to success in MATH 1111. Below is a list of recommended topics sorted by area. Basic Mathematics: Variables Fractions Real Numbers Prime Numbers and Prime Factorizations Of Natural Numbers Basic Rules of Algebra Addition and Subtraction of Real Numbers Multiplication and Division of Real Numbers Distributive, Commutative and Associative Properties Exponents Absolute Values of Numeric Expressions Order of Operations Linear Equations and Inequalities In One Variable: The Addition Property of Equality The Multiplication Property of Equality Solving Linear Equations Solving Linear Inequalities and Interval Notation Polynomial Expressions: Exponent Rules Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication and Division of Simple Polynomials Special Products Operations on Polynomials in Several Variables Scientific Notation The Greatest Common Factor Factoring by Grouping Factoring Trinomials Factoring Special Forms of Binomials
Solving Quadratic Equations by Factoring Simplification of Rational Expressions Roots: Radical Expressions Rational Exponents Simplifying Radical Expressions Adding, Subtracting, Multiplying and Dividing Radical Expressions Rationalizing Denominators Radical Equations Linear Equations in Two-Variables: Plotting Points on the Cartesian Plane Solutions to an Equation in Two Variable Graphing Linear Equations in Two Variables Intercepts Slope The Slope-Intercept Form of The Equation of a Line The Point-Slope Form of The Equation of a Line Determining the Equation of a Line Complex Numbers and Quadratic Equations Complex Numbers The Square Root Property Completing The Square The Quadratic Formula