Welcome to the MTLC

1
Welcome to the MTLC

• MATH 115
• Fall 2009

2
MTLC Information

• Hours of Operation
• Sunday 400pm 1000pm
• Monday Thursday 800am 1000pm
• Friday 800am 500pm
• Closings
• Labor Day Sunday 9/6 and Monday 9/7
• Fall Break will close Wed. 10/7 at 10pm and will
  re-open at 8am on Monday 10/12.
• Thanksgiving will close Tue. 11/24 at 5pm and
  will re-open at 8am on Monday 11/30.
• Phone Number 348 2592
• Website www.mtlc.ua.edu
• EMAIL ma115mtl_at_bama.ua.edu
• Please put your instructors name in the
  subject box for email.

3
Common Rules for the Center

• ABSOLUTELY NO FOOD, DRINKS, TOBACCO PRODUCTS,
  CELL PHONES, COMPANIONS, OR PROFANITY ARE
  ALLOWED.
• NO EXCEPTIONS!!

4
Course Requirements

• Prerequisites
• Grade of A in Math 100
• Minimum of 380 (38) on the placement test
• Every student must have an active crimson
  e-mail account for computer/course login.
• Every new student must have a Mylabsplus access
  code.

5
Textbook and access code

• Textbook Algebra and Trigonometry, 3rd edition
  by Robert Blitzer, published by Prentice Hall.
• This course is a computer based course. All
  assignments for this course will be accessed
  through a publishers website (www.mylabsplus.com
  ).
• An access code will be necessary to complete your
  assignments. No work can be completed until you
  have entered an access code into your account.

6
Access Codes

• Access codes may be purchased with or without a
  printed version of the textbook.
• You may purchase the code with the textbook at
  any of the bookstores in town.
• You may purchase the code without a printed
  version of the book either at one of the
  bookstores in town or online on the mylabsplus
  website set up for your specific math course.
• You may purchase the access code online using a
  Visa.
• Again, no work can be completed until you have
  entered your access code into your account.

7
Access Codes - Repeating Students

• If you are repeating the course, then you should
  be able to log in to the new course by
  automatically re-activating your previous access
  code. If you have any trouble, then be sure to
  come to the MTLC for assistance.
• Again, you are responsible for checking prior to
  the first deadline in the syllabus.

8
Initial Skills Assessment

• When you login to MyLabsPlus you will see two
  links, a course link and a link for the
  MyMathTest
• Math115_Smith_Math115_01
• Alabama Skills Assessment Math115_Smith
• BEFORE beginning your work in your class, click
  the Skills Assessment link, click the Placement
  button on the left of the screen, and take a
  brief skills assessment.
• Important assessment tool for us
• Will NOT hurt your grade in the course, could
  help it
• PLEASE take it seriously

9
Calculator

• Only the calculator on the computer is allowed in
  this course.
• No other calculators are allowed during testing.
  
• It is the students responsibility to learn how
  to operate the computer calculator before
  testing.

10
Course Grades

• Possible grades in this course are A, B, C, (/-)
  or NC.
• A grade of NC means you receive no credit for
  this course. You must take the course again, but
  an NC does not affect your GPA.
• The last day to withdraw from the course is
  Wednesday, October 28th. No withdrawals will be
  given after this date.

11
Course Grades

• 4 tests (110 points each)
  440 pts
• Final Exam
  300 pts
• Quiz average (30 points each test period)
  120 pts
• Homework average (25 points each test period)
  100 pts
• Class Meetings (1 point for each class)
  40 pts
• Lab Survey
  2 pts
• TOTAL
  1002 pts
• You must have 700 pts. to pass Math 115

12
Quizzes Homework

• There will be a graded homework assignments for
  each section. . Multiple attempts are allowed on
  homework. Be sure to click on the Submit Work
  button when you are ready to record your homework
  score. You may submit homework before the
  assignment is finished and return to it later.
• There will be a quiz given after one or two
  sections. Click on the Submit Test button when
  ready for your quiz score to be recorded. Only
  one attempt will be given on quizzes, so please
  be prepared and ready to do well!
• You will be allowed to drop the two lowest
  homework grades and the two lowest quiz grades
  each test period. If homework or quizzes are
  missed due to a serious, verifiable circumstance,
  then make-up work may be allowed. Any student
  requesting to make up work must fill out a
  petition request form in 345 Gordon Palmer with
  an excuse and supporting documents attached.

13
Working at Home

• Students can do homework from home by downloading
  all of the necessary plug-ins.
• Web page http//mylabsplus.com
• Use the installation wizard in the software. Be
  sure to check for ALL components and install all
  necessary plug-ins.
• Tests must be completed in the MTLC.
• Homework and quizzes may be completed at home.
  However, if grades are not successfully sent from
  home for any reason, you will not be able to
  retry the work after the deadline has passed. If
  you work from home, there is a risk your grades
  may not be properly saved.
• NOTE
• Macs do work for Math 115 but the
  installation is a little more difficult. Follow
  the instructions carefully on the installation
  wizard. Ask for help in the lab if needed.

14
Replacement Policy

• Everyone will be allowed to replace his or her
  lowest test grade with the grade made on the
  final exam.
• Zero grades due to unexcused absences or academic
  misconduct will not be replaced.
• If a test is missed due to a serious, verifiable
  circumstance, the zero test grade will also be
  replaced with the final exam grade, but only if a
  petition request form is filed within 2 days at
  Room 345 Gordon Palmer and if the petition
  request panel approves the excuse.

15
Syllabus Quiz

• The Syllabus quiz must be taken (by the deadline)
  and contains questions about the syllabus.
• You may take this quiz (and only this quiz) as
  many times as you like, and you may have your
  syllabus with you when you take it.
• The purpose of the quiz is to make sure that you
  understand the policies set out in the syllabus
  should it become necessary to refer to them
  later, so take this quiz very seriously.

16
Acknowledgement Form

• An acknowledgment form stating that you have read
  the syllabus and understand the policies set by
  this course must be completed in the software
  before you will be allowed to begin any
  assignments.
• In the software, select the Test 1 Work, then
  select the Orientation link, then select the
  Acknowledgement Form to complete this requirement.

17
MyLabsPlus Login

• Your software user name will be the prefix to
  your full crimson email account name, and your
  password will be your 8-digit campus-wide ID.
• Example
• Username jtdoe_at_crimson.ua.edu
• Password 12345678

18
Logging into the Software
19
Getting Started

• After logging into the system and selecting your
  course from the course list
• Install the plug-ins on your own computer if
  necessary using the installation wizard found on
  the screen on the right.
• Read the announcements, then click on the Test 1
  Work tab.
• Select Acknowledgement form link. You will now
  be prompted for your access code.
• All information from todays orientation can also
  be found in the link for orientation.

20
Basic look of the Software
21
Homework, Quizzes, Videos, and Text
22
Need Extra Help

• The MTLC is open 71 hours each week for help.
• Center for Teaching and Learning(CTL)
• CTL website www.ctl.ua.edu
• Free personal tutorial appointments are
  available at the CTL in Osband Hall. Call
  348-8854 to schedule an appointment.

23
Final thoughts

• We are looking forward to your success in this
  course.
• Know that this is not an easy course, you will
  have to work hard the entire semester.
• Get help when needed. We are here for that
  purpose.
• Good Luck!