I'm so glad you're in our MTH 60 class!
As a math teacher, I'm confident that everyone can learn to understand the math and algebra we will cover in our class. You're here as part of your academic journey and I hope that we can work together to deepen and expand your mathematical understanding this term.
Contrary to popular belief, no person is bad at math. I do know that plenty of people have had bad experiences with math. The good news is that everyone can have new and better experiences learning math. I'll do the best I can to help you do so, and I expect you to spend as much time and effort as needed for you to have a good learning experience this quarter.
Please know that I am here to support you and I appreciate you reaching out anytime you have any questions, be it a question related to our class, to you being a student at PCC, or anything else I can help and support you with.
COVID-19 continues to affect so many lives in so many ways. I'll do my best to accommodate your learning needs this fall.
I want to be sure you have this resource list with information about childcare, work opportunities, unemployment benefits, food resources, health resources, and more that may help you navigate changes in your life this quarter. ASPCC student leadership compiled the list with your needs in mind.
Additionally, there are bound to be additional challenges that each of us face this term. If there is anything I can do to help you, please reach out. I am here to help you to the best of my ability both in class and in these trying times.
In case you missed it, be sure to check out the Resources for Students page (contained in the Introduction to Online Learning module), which has links to various resources available online and on PCC campuses.
I want this class to be accessible for everyone and have designed it that way to the best of my abilities, trying to take into account the variety of learners that might be here. I would appreciate the opportunity to connect early on in the class with students who need accommodations because of learning differences.
As a college, PCC is committed to ensuring that classes are accessible. Disability Services works with students and faculty to minimize barriers. If students elect to use approved academic accommodations, they must provide in advance formal notification from Disability Services to the instructor.
If you face challenges affording food or housing, this will naturally affect your classwork. I want you to be successful and want to make sure you are away that PCC offers some resources that may help:
This term, in addition to eTutoring, PCC is delighted to announce that Academic Support Services for each campus will be offering Virtual Tutoring! This will allow you to see familiar faces from the campus-based tutoring centers via both virtual appointments and drop-in virtual tutoring. Please visit the PCC Tutoring website to see what each campus is offering this term.
Get help dealing with personal or career concerns that may be impacting your academic success. Trained professional counselors can also assist you with decision-making, goal-setting, and personal development
The Portland Community College DREAMers Center provides a safer space for our Undocumented/DACAmented community. This space is for students to achieve their academic goals through the resources provided, gain leadership skills and receive financial and legal support.
A welcoming and inclusive space for our diverse student body, the Multicultural Centers were founded to address institutional racism and the unique needs of students of color at PCC. The Multicultural Centers support the academic achievement, leadership development, and advancement of students of color at PCC.
The Queer Resource Centers provide advocacy, education, leadership development, programming, and retention services for students with marginalized genders and sexualities to create an inclusive and intersectional campus climate promoting gender justice, sexual liberation, and equity for all people.
The PCC Veterans Resource Centers support student success by providing everyone a space with access to resources, information, and an inclusive community. They focus our efforts on academically, socially, culturally integrating current and former service members and their families into Portland Community College.
Women's Resource Center staff are here to offer connection, resources, and advocacy to support the success of all women and gender minority students. Students of all genders are welcome to all PCC WRC programming, events, and services.
The most comprehensive computer facilities on campus, the Computer Resource Centers are open to all currently enrolled PCC students. An orientation is required before using the centers.
From the Computer Resource Centers and Libraries, students can access their allocation of 100 double-sided pages of free printing per term. Please see the PCC Printing webpage for more information about printing on campus.
While this online course is set up so that you should have everything you need, I still expect to interact with each you individually and will offer opportunities for you to interact with your classmates. I'm eager to provide any further explanation/examples when necessary, and feel that being able to do this on an individual level with students is one of the greatest strengths of online courses and instruction.
As for the nuts and bolts of how this course works, it's arranged chronologically and employs a modular design. It is not self-paced. If you have things come up in your schedule that interfere with the pre-set schedule though, be sure to let me know. I'm happy to try to work around your (likely very busy) schedule when I am able to do so. The weekly assignments are listed in that week's lesson module. These modules are available by clicking the Content link in the course navigation bar.
Modules will open on Wednesdays, as shown in the course calendar. There are multiple, staggered deadlines each week so that you have time to work through exercises, ask questions, and receive feedback prior to submitting your worksheets. The modules open and close midweek so that you have access to on-campus resources (and me!) when the higher-weighted assignments are due. This staggered Wednesday through Tuesday schedule might seem awkward at first, but students generally find it very familiar after a week or so. Note that the Module 0 introductory assignments are an exception, and are due early in the first week.
In each module, you will find links to the lecture outlines and videos for each section we will cover that week (usually three or four sections). Print out the lecture outlines and take notes on them/fill them in as you watch the videos. You will hand these in each week. Watch the videos and read through the appropriate textbook sections before you do the WeBWorK homework, discussion posting, and worksheet. Doing a little bit each day is ideal. You will have the opportunity to re-submit any discussion postings before the module closes and you can earn up to full credit with each submission. Note that the WeBWorK homework will take a decent amount of time, and it's best to start well before the Sunday due date.
Please use the open Open Q & A
discussion boards to ask questions about any of the tasks or content for the module. You may also email me with any questions you may have. Note that I will often re-post email questions and my replies (without any names attached) so that the entire class can benefit.
Assignments within the modules will direct students to use many of the tools contained in D2L Brightspace, as well as other external resources such as YouTube and WeBWorK. All required tools will be accessible both from within the weekly content modules, as well as from the course navigation bar. I will email and/or post any announcements/reminders on the course homepage once or twice per week.
Formal Course Details
Please engage with the course and content often, ideally at least three different days during the week (if not daily!). Math is easier to learn in small chunks, and frequent practice helps solidify your understanding. Each time you log into the course be sure to check for any new announcements and any email and discussion messages, as well as any assignment feedback.
To not be "No Show"ed from the class, there are four required activities to complete:
You must complete all of these by the stated deadlines to remain enrolled in the class.
The best way to contact me is by email. You can email me directly from your PCC email account or by using the D2L Brightspace email system which can be accessed from the Classlist. You can use the Classlist to send an email to me and/or your classmates.
Please include a relevant subject section of your email. D2L Brightspace will automatically include the course number and CRN for the course you are taking with me, and it's helpful for me if you keep this in the subject line.
Sample email subject line: [MTH 60]: Confusion with Slopes and Lines
Due to federal privacy laws and concerns about privacy, all email communication between instructor and student shall be done via PCC-assigned email addresses. Email sent from using the Classlist in D2L will be sent by your PCC-assigned email address, so this is an acceptable method for emailing your instructor.
All email responses from your instructor will be found in your PCC email account, which you can access via MyPCC or via http://google.pcc.edu.
Emails sent from personal, non-PCC email accounts will not receive a response.
I will be checking email daily on weekdays. If you contact me by email and don't give me a proper subject, you can expect a delay or no response. Email sent on weekdays will be answered within 24 hours. Email sent after 2 PM on Friday will be answered no later than the following Monday.
If you need technical help, you can email the Student Help Desk at shd@pcc.edu
There is a lot of information about the course below, and I encourage you to read it fully both now, and again when we're a couple weeks into the course. As a brief summary, here's what a typical module will entail:
Just like in a face-to-face lecture, taking notes helps students both comprehend and retain the information they’re learning. I like to think of this as muscle memory.
Each section of the textbook has lecture note outlines that accompany the YouTube video lectures contained in our course. Print these outlines, fill them out as you watch the videos, and then submit them each week. (They're simply checked for completeness.)
For each module you will need to log in to WeBWorK and complete a few sets of exercises. WeBWorK will automatically grade your work and you will have the opportunity to rework any exercises that you have not completed correctly.
WeBWorK is a free online homework system that is an interactive version of the types of exercises you'll find at the end of a section in a textbook. These provide practice with the concepts and types of problems that require proficiency to be successful in the course.
For these problems, you're expected to try each until you get it correct. WeBWorK automatically grades them, and will tell you if your answer is correct or not. Each module has WeBWorK problems assigned, and a few modules have exercises that can't easily be done in an online homework system. In those cases, you will be expected to do those problems from the textbook and these are noted in the course calendar. (These are typically graph this by hand
problems, and you'll simply check the answers yourself.)
Email Your Instructor feature: You can click this from any page in WeBWorK, and include a message about a problem you want help with. This is the fastest way for me to assist you with your online homework, and I encourage you to use it if you've tried a problem a couple times but don't know where you're going wrong.
Show Me Another feature: The Show Me Another
button can be clicked once you have attempted a specific problem at least once. This provides a similar problem that you can practice, but that won't count for credit. This is a great resource, as it also provides a walk-through solution. If you read the walk-through solution though and don't quite understand, don't hesitate to use the Email Your Instructor.
The goal of the discussions is for you to have the opportunity to get individualized feedback on one or more exercises before your full WeBWorK assignment and worksheet are due for the module. There is the added benefit of having an opportunity to see work from your classmates.
Your initial post is due Sunday at 11 PM, but you can resubmit and earn full credit until the module closes. While replying to classmates' posts is not a requirement, you are strongly encouraged to read your classmates' posts and to respond thoughtfully and respectfully.
Also note that your classmates' postings can be used as a study guide for your own work. If you're stuck on a particular WeBWorK exercise, see if someone has already submitted a posting on that same exercise.
The worksheets are a way that you receive feedback on your hand-written mathematical work and conceptual understanding. Each module has a worksheet that is due at the end of the module on Tuesday at 11 PM.
These will cover the most key concepts from the module that you've seen and practiced in both the lectures and WeBWorK. These most closely mimic what you'll see on exams, and are graded for accuracy (whereas the WeBWorK/practice homework is graded for completion).
Please print each worksheet and write your answers out by hand. (Or, if you have a tablet with which you can write electronically, that works too). You are welcome to submit these earlier in the module, particularly if you do most of your work on the weekends.
Graded worksheets with my feedback included will be returned to the same Assignments folder where you upload each worksheet.
The module reflections are an opportunity for you to self assess your work and understanding for that module and to discuss this with your instructor. Each week has a very short survey that you fill out for this.
There are three required proctored exams (Midterm Exam 1, Midterm Exam 2, and the Final Exam) during the term.
Proctored exams are one of the many assessment tools used in math courses to assess student learning. For online classes, exams are primarily proctored virtually by me in Zoom. The virtually proctored date and time options are as follows:
Exam Dates*:
To have your exam proctored virtually, you must fully read and understand the Student Guide to Virtually Proctored Exams in Zoom and meet the technology/environment requirements. Technology support will not be provided on exam day. Virtual proctoring was designed and piloted in collaboration between the Mathematics Department, Online Learning, and the Testing Center.
If you do not meet the requirements for virtually proctored exams, prefer to take your exams in-person, and/or have an unavoidable scheduling conflict, please contact me as soon as possible.
Alternative testing arrangements can be made in-person proctoring at a testing center given adequate notice and depending on testing center capacity and availability. (At this time, virtually proctored make-up exams are not possible.) Scheduling appointments with a testing center and communicating with the instructor is the responsibility of the student, as well as paying any fees associated with using a non-PCC testing center.
You will need to show a photo ID (drivers license, passport, etc.) to take these exams.
These exams will be paper and pencil exams, and you'll write out all your work (just like on your worksheets).
Note that our curriculum guidelines dictate that these exams must be no note and closed book. Additionally, these exams may have a "no calculator" portion and "calculator allowed" portion.
Any hand held calculator will do, but you may not use a mobile or web accessible device such as a cell phone, tablet or laptop.
If extenuating circumstances arise for you at some point in the term, contact me to discuss your options regarding late work. My general late work policy for various assignments is the following:
Because communication is an integral part of mathematics, the PCC Mathematics Departments have certain requirements for how work should be written. You should read and become familiar with the MTH 60 Notation Standards, as they will help you earn full credit on your assignments.
As an additional resource, I've created an abbreviated version, which I call the MTH 60 Documentation Guidelines
Additionally, each Module's videos will demonstrate proper documentation related to that week's material.
If you ever have questions about appropriate documentation, please send me an email or make a discussion post in the Our Online Classroom discussion.
| Activity | Total Number During the Term |
Points per Activity |
Total Number of Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture Notes | 10 | 2 | 20 |
| Discussions | 10 | 3 | 30 |
| WeBWorK | 10 | 5 | 50 |
| Module Reflections | 10 | 2 | 20 |
| Worksheets | 9 | 20 | 180 |
| Midterm 1 | 1 | 100 | 100 |
| Midterm 2 | 1 | 150 | 150 |
| Final Exam | 1 | 250 | 250 |
| Total | 800 |
| Letter Grade | Grading Scale by Points | Grading Scale by Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| A* | 720 - 800 | 90 - 100% |
| B* | 640 - 719.99 | 80 - 89.99% |
| C* | 560 - 639.99 | 70 - 79.99% |
| D | 480 - 559.99 | 60 - 69.99% |
| F | < 480 | < 60% |
*In addition to the points and percentages stated above, to earn an A, B, C, or a P for the course, you must also have at least a 68% weighted average on your three exams.
Students are solely responsible for adding, dropping, or withdrawing from any class, as well as for selecting their desired grading option. Please review PCC Registration Policy for more information
The following are the different grading options that are available to you for this course. For more information, please go to the PCC Grading Guidelines.
Please note that all of these options have different deadlines. You can either view PCC's Drop/Withdrawal page or find the deadlines by going to MyPCC and clicking on the 'See your drop and withdraw deadlines' link under in the Term-to-Term Checklist section of the MyPCC Home tab.
If you would like to audit the course, you must discuss this with me, obtain my approval, and we must complete the process with the Registration office by 4:00 PM on the first Friday of the Term. Students can view course specific deadlines from the MyPCC Home tab, 'See your drop and withdraw deadlines' link.
If you would like to drop the course, you must officially drop the course using MyPCC by Saturday of the first week of the term. Students can view course specific deadlines from the MyPCC Home tab, 'See your drop and withdraw deadlines' link.
If you decide to withdraw from the class, you must officially withdraw using MyPCC within the first 80% of the course. Students can view course specific deadlines from the MyPCC Home tab, 'See your drop and withdraw deadlines' link.
If you would like your grade for the class to be assigned using the Pass/No Pass system, you must change your grading option through MyPCC within the first 80% of the course. Students can view course specific deadlines from the MyPCC Home tab, 'See your drop and withdraw deadlines' link.
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Portland Community College is committed to creating and fostering a learning and working environment based on open communication and mutual respect. If you believe you have encountered sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, sexual assault, or discrimination based on race, color, religion, age, national origin, veteran status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability please contact the Office of Equity and Inclusion at (971) 722-5840 or equity.inclusion@pcc.edu.
PCC is a sanctuary college. For more information and resources, please see PCC's Resources for Undocumented and DACA Students webpage.
The instructor reserves the right to modify course content and/or substitute assignments and learning activities in response to institutional, weather or class situations.
Please review the PCC Payment Policy for information on payment and enrolling in courses. You can see your balance or access your bill online in the MyPCC Paying for College tab.
The Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook establishes students' freedoms and protections as well as expectations of appropriate behavior and ethical academic work. The Handbook includes items such as the Policy on Student Rights, the Policy on Student Conduct, and the Academic Integrity Policy.
Students are required to complete this course in accordance with the Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook. Cheating includes any attempt to defraud, deceive, or mislead the instructor in arriving at an honest grade assessment, and may include copying answers from other students or using unauthorized notes during tests. Plagiarism is a particular form of cheating that involves presenting as one's own the ideas or work of another, and may include using other people's ideas without proper attribution and submitting another person's work as one's own. Dishonest activities such as cheating on exams and submitting or copying work done by others will result in disciplinary actions including but not limited to receiving a failing grade. For further information, review the institution's Academic Integrity Policy.
Students assume full responsibility for the content and integrity of the coursework they submit. Work submitted by a student must be original work completed by the student. You may get help when working through problems and exercises, but then you must rework the problems on your own before submitting the work to me. The worksheet must be entirely your own work. No one other than you may write your assignments (unless granted by an approved PCC Disability Services accommodation).
Two or more people may not submit identical or nearly identical documents. If this occurs, the minimum consequence will be that the grades will be one-half the score for each person for the 1st offense. At a minimum, a grade of 0 will be earned for any further offenses. More than one offense may result in disciplinary actions including but not limited to receiving a failing grade for the course.
Discussions about exams are not permitted until the grades for the respective exam are posted. Please be aware that there is always the possibility that a student has not taken the exam yet, and you are responsible for withholding any information about the exam.