Section 4 Instruction
Instruction in this course is setup around the principle that we learn more efficiently if we can build our understanding of new concepts from old ones. Rather than start with presentations, this class begins with lessons that give you a chance to see concepts in action and explore their boundaries. These explorations in the lessons will be followed by presenations by the instructor that incorporate your responses, clarify concepts, and provide examples.
The next step is to put the concepts to use by answering questions (working problems). This will confirm your understanding when you successfully answer the question, and point out the need for additional understanding when you struggle. Please note that struggle (called constructive struggle formally) is a necessary part of learning. You should not assume that you will be able to answer every homework question just because you have studied the material. Applying an idea will almost always show us more about the idea. This additional learning is a primary purpose of homework.
The final principle on which this class is built is that iteration is part of learning. Homework problems may be attempted more than once. Standards may be demonstrated up to the end of the semester (vaguely like re-taking exams). Projects are expected to be revised and re-submitted. What matters most is what you know and can do when you exit the course.
- Lessons
- These provide a chance to explore the concepts and will be your introduction to the material.
- Assignment
- Lessons may consist of activities in which you answer questions and work some problems (using past skills) and submit your answers through linked assignments or Google documents. You should email questions that arise to the instructor as you think of them. Sometimes the lessons include examples to be read and used during homework.
- Due
- The lesson including entering answers using the links in the Blackboard must be completed by 8:30 am on the date listed (twice weekly).
- Feedback
- Before the next lesson is due the instructor will provide a summary of results, explanations of material, and answers to questions. Typically this will be in a video presentation.
- Grading
- The lessons are graded as completed or not completed.
- Homework
- These are for you to practice using the concepts and methods. You should know at the end of each assignment if you need to ask more questions.
- Assignment
- Complete the assignments linked in Blackboard. Homework will be entered using an online homework system. If you are unsure how to complete any part of a problem ask for help from the instructor, tutors, or your classmates.
- Due
- Homework is due weekly on Monday morning by 8:30 am.
- Feedback
- The online homework system will provide immediate feedback whether your response is correct. If your first attempt is not correct, check first to ensure you entered what you intended (sometimes the system expects special notation) and check that you did all the arithmetic and other calculations correctly (miscopying a line is a common error). Finally, if no other errors were found, compare your work to one of the examples. After correcting any error, enter your new response. You may respond to each homework question 3 times. You may also ask for a new version of the question (up to 4 additional versions). However, do not ask for more than one additional version before asking for help from the instructor or a tutor.
- Grading
- Your homework will be graded for accuracy of response. Because you can re-try problems, you should always earn every (or nearly every) point. Note if you think the online homework system did not grade correctly, contact the instructor immediately.
- Weekly Journal
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Each week your feedback on the course will be requested. The specific questions are in the journal in Blackboard used to collect these entries. The instructor will respond to the questions and use your feedback to improve the course. Note journals are private: only you and the instructor see your entries.In addition to the standard questions, an additional, very brief activity may be assigned to ensure you and the instructor are remaining in contact, and the instructor knows what help to provide.
- Exams
- Exams provide you with opportunities to demonstrate your mastery of the standards.
- Assignment
- Before you study for and take the exam, select the standards you will demonstrate on that exam. Select a number that is reasonable for the time constraint (75 minutes). On the exam identify the questions that demonstrate those standards. Answer those questions. Ignore the rest of the questions (skipping these other questions does not affect your grade).
- When
- Exam dates are available on Blackboard.
- Feedback
- Each standard you complete will be listed. For problems not completed fully correct, the first, major wrong step in a problem will be marked with a note about the correct step if possible. It is expected that you will contact the instructor for more clarification: live conversation is the most efficient for learning and an email conversation is better than just notes on the exam.
- Grade
- Your work will be graded for accuracy and presentation. Questions must be fully correct to earn a standard. See Standards Based Grading for details.
- Projects
- Projects require using learned skills to solve large problems. They often require extrapolating from what you know to discover something new. This mimics actual use of mathematics in life and therefore meets the goals of the course. Note some standards are earned via projects.
- Assignment
- Complete the projects found on Blackboard. Ask questions while working on the projects to ensure you understand. Revise each project after you receive it back.
- When
- Project due dates are available on Blackboard. Typically there will be one project per chapter assigned which is due after an exam covering that chapter.
- Feedback
- Comments on what is good and what needs to be improved will be provided. Incorrect calculations will be noted as such. Correct calculations and responses will generally not be marked (if there is nothing written, then your work is fine).
- Grading
- Your work will be graded for accuracy and presentation. You are encouraged to resubmit projects. The total percentage available will be 100% for the first submission, 90% for the second submission, and 80% for the third submission. When a project fulfills a standard, that standard can be earned on any submission.
