Welcome to the exciting online
version of MAT 140 – College Algebra! I look forward to working with you this
semester!
Instruction for
this course is completely online except for three on-campus examinations, which
can be taken at your convenience. The course is supported by Blackboard/ MyMathlab and therefore, is not a WebCT
course and cannot be accessed through WebCT.
All course
instructional materials including text, quizzes and exercises, as well as a
graphing calculator manual are available on the course website. There are three
on-campus exams. Exam accommodations for
remote students should be arranged with the instructor. You will need at least
a Pentium Multimedia PC operating with XP or Vista, an Internet connection
using at least a 56K modem (Cable or DSL preferred) and a minimum of 32 MB RAM.
The software is now compatible with Apple.
America Online browser is not supported but you may use
AOL as your Internet connection.
|
To work with CourseCompass, your computer must meet the following system requirements: |
|
Operating Systems |
Browsers |
|
|
PC |
Windows XP |
Firefox 2.0 |
|
Windows Vista |
Firefox 2.0 |
|
|
Mac |
Macintosh OS 10.4 |
Firefox 2.0 |
|
Macintosh OS 10.5 |
Safari 3.1 |
Please note the text must include MyMathLab
which is software necessary for the online version of the course. A graphing calculator (for example, TI 83+
or TI 84+) is required for this course.
The text
is College Algebra plus MML, 3e, J. Beecher, J. Penna, M. Bittinger, Addison
Wesley Longman, Inc., 2005. Special
Online edition
with MyMathLab registration card. Use
either of the following ISBN numbers:
ISBN-10: 0321479262
ISBN-13: 9780321479266
You may purchase your text at the online OCC Bookstore site (http://www.oakton.edu/resource/campserv/bookstor.htm)
or at the OCC Bookstore (in person). The text bundled with the software
or the
stand-alone software may also be purchased either at an online textbook
site
like Amazon.com or directly from the publisher, Addison Wesley. Some
students
prefer to buy only the online software because it is cheaper and the
complete online version of
the textbook is included in the software. If you choose this option,
the fastest and most affordable way to get started is to purchase the
software directly from the publisher, Addison Wesley. Others
prefer to have a hard copy of
the text. The choice is up to you. Just be sure you have the MyMathLab
software.
Students will
be required to submit online homework exercises as well as online chapter
quizzes. After first accessing the website and downloading the necessary small
helper applications, students should spend approximately one hour familiarizing
themselves with the website and exploring its capabilities before working with
the materials.
The advantage of working online is
that it is more flexible; however, do not think the course is easier because of
this flexibility. The material is the same as that covered in a traditional
course. Set a personal study schedule and stick to it allotting both the 3 hours per week spent with online classroom presentation as well as an additional 6 -9 hours per week, depending upon student background level, for homework exercises
and quizzes. Do not put it off! Start working on the course on the first day
of the semester. Target dates will
be posted in an online schedule to help students pace themselves. I can be reached for questions via email or
in person during my posted office hours.
Please send me
your email address
identifying yourself and your course and receive a necessary course
identification number prior to beginning your online work. Software registration directions can be found
bundled with your text. Feel free to
contact me at murphy@oakton.edu or 847-635-1961.
I look forward
to working with you this semester.
Regards,
Carol Murphy