HOW THIS COURSE WORKS:
Algebra is a knowledge and skills course. To learn Algebra and to retain what you learn, you must actively participate. You must read the text and online study guides, view/listen to the DVD's provided with the text, pay attention to one another’s discussion postings, and WORK OUT THE PROBLEMS.
PRACTICE!PRACTICE!PRACTICE!
The more you practice working out problems, the better. Practice improves retention and performance on exams. The minimum homework is given in the lessons, and you should do more problems if you see that you “don’t quite get it.”
STEPS TO FOLLOW:
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Buy the textbook |
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Set aside a minimum of 12-15 hours per week to read course information and do practice problems |
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Practice the skills tests either that are in the textbook or online (the online tests will be multiple choice—your real test won’t) |
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Complete all exams on time |
THE STRUCTURE:
The course is divided into 2 portions:
Portion One is considered to be DSPM0800 material and will be covered in 7 weeks.
Portion Two is considered to be DSPM0850 material and will be covered in 7 weeks, culminating in a final exam that covers only the material for DSPM0850.
DSPM 0870
Tentative Schedule
| Weeks 1 and 2 | The Basics: The Real Number
System-Chapter 1 Linear Equations and Inequalities-Chapter 2 Absolute Value Equations and Inequalities-Chapter 9.2, 9.3 Test 1 |
| Weeks 3 and 4 | Exponents and Polynomials-Chapter
4 Synthetic Division-Appendix G Test 2 |
| Weeks 5 and 6 | Factoring-Chapter 5
Rational Expressions-Chapter 6 Test 3, end DSPM0800 material |
| Weeks 7 and 8 | Linear Equations in Two
Variables-Chapter 3 Equations of Lines; Functions-Chapter 7 Test 1 |
| Week 9 |
Systems of Linear Equations -Chapter 8 Test 2 |
| Weeks 10 and 11 | Roots, Radicals and Root
Functions-Chapter 10 Test 3 |
| Weeks 12 and 13 | Quadratic Equations,
Inequalities, and Functions-Chapter 11 Inverse Functions-Chapter 12, Section 1 Test 3 |
| Week 14 | Cumulative Course Review-Weeks 8-15 |
| Week 15 | FINAL - End DSPM0850 |
THE CONTENT:
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READ the textbook. |
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PRACTICE lots and lots of problems. |
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REINFORCE the chapter material with your DVD, web links, and online lessons. |
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REVIEW the content to determine test readiness. |
THE FORMAT:
The course menu has links to your syllabus, assignments and due dates (Via Course Outline and the Calendar), practice tests, and study tools. Your grades will also be available as you begin to earn them. All these links are designed to meet the objectives.
Deadline Dates: The DEADLINE DATES page gives the schedule you need to follow so all required, graded materials are on time.
| Print this document |
| Note that some activities have an ending time during the day (this is because learning centers and offices on campus close!) |
| Note that all online activities will expire at midnight during the last week of May, thus you may retake practice materials as often as you wish. |
| Note the Penalty policy for missing work or poor performance (in syllabus). |
| Assigned problems are for practice to improve skills and retention, they are graded (bring your completed notebook folder to the Chapter Test) |
| You can adjust the assignments to meet your needs. If you need more practice, do so. |
| Show up on time (you will have contacted me with this at least 24 hours in advance of exam) |
| Bring a valid photo ID with you (school ID or driver’s license) |
| Bring your completed homework folder |
| Materials that you may have at the test site include: pencils, erasers, ruler, non-graphing calculator. |