Instructors have provided the following information to generally describe what to expect in their classes.
Math
Class Format
I am a firm believer of students taking an active role in their learning process. Students learn more by doing than watching. Being mindful of this, you can expect the classroom experience to look like the following.
In most of my face-to-face classes, you will be expected to preview the material before coming to class or at least to come to class with questions from what you just tried. This involves interacting with the textbook or software content, completing problems to check your understanding, and sometimes watching videos or supplementary materials. Depending on the class, class time will be spent working with the material. This includes mini lectures, group and individual work, presentations, fill-in notes, and organic discussions of the material.
In my online sections, you will be required to purchase a software package with textbook content, quick videos, and problems to check your understanding. You will watch instructor created videos and use note sets to supplement your learning. You will be assigned projects to help you better interact with notation, visualization, and real-world problems of mathematics. Most communication with the instructor will be via announcements and email through our learning management system, student hours, and surveys.
Resource Use
Software packages are essential in any online section for learning the content and checking your understanding. For face-to-face classes, in any course or section, textbooks and/or software may be required. In many of these classes, you will complete at least a portion of content using computer and software packages.
Calculators and computer software are used in most courses. We may also use websites to help with your visualization. If needed, I will provide you with calculators for examinations, but it will be helpful for you to be able to learn with the appropriate calculator during class time.
Online homework when available is used in most of my classes (both face-to-face and online).
Assessment
Most classes have a homework component to check your understanding of the content and a project component comprising roughly 30% of your grade. Other classes may have a presentation component included in this percentage. Some classes include in-class activities which could range up to 10%. The remainder of the class will be unit exams and a comprehensive final exam. Online classes may have an additional quiz component not exceeding 20% of the student’s grade. In online courses you will be required to complete at least 50% of your assessments in a proctored environment.
Homework Policy
Checking your understanding of the content you just learned is crucial in math. Thus, in some courses you will complete software homework and in others I will collect written checkups. The software homework has some flexibility in deadlines because it is important that you can have feedback by the end of the unit. The checkups must be turned in on time to receive credit, however I usually drop at least one missed assignment at the end of the course.
For other courses, textbook homework is assigned for practice but is not checked. However, in these courses, other assignments may be collected for a grade.
Attendance Policy
Your absence may affect your grade because of your subsequent lack of knowledge and understanding. Absences are NOT part of the grading formula; however you may miss an in-class activity which could negatively affect your grade. When you need to miss class, it is your responsibility to catch up on what you missed. Use your resources. Student hours or the math resource center can help you fill in your gaps. Makeup unit exams are not given after the exam date. The final exam percentage may replace one or more missed or lower unit exams.
Availability
I am always available during my posted student hours with few exceptions which I will announce. I am also on campus many other times, but an appointment would be best to take advantage of these opportunities to meet. I hold online student hours for my online classes and respond to emails within 24 hours on days when school is in session, but possibly longer on weekends.
