Why We Use These Instructional Activities for The Online Math 201 & 192

WORKSHEETS USING MAPLE

Maple is a computer algebra system. It is used in industry and is one of the three tools of choice

(Maple, Mathematics, Mat Lab) for theoreticians to do applied mathematics. Although new versions continue to evolve, it is a program that is good for a lifetime. Maple’s algebraic and graphical capabilities far outweigh those of the graphing calculator. Maple is proprietary software and thus normally has to be purchased for use. However, the college provides a license for students to use Maple without any cost to the student.

QUIZZES USING WEBASSIGN

WebAssign is a learning management system that allows students to practice solving math problems that are a slight variation to the exercise in the test. The algorithmically generated exercises give the students a limitless opportunity to master the concepts with examples, videos to view and exercises to practice. After practicing, students take quizzes which are graded immediately. WebAssign uses Maple to check the solutions. WebAssign is also proprietary software, and since the college does not provide a license, students must pay for a license to use it.

TESTS

Hour tests taken in the testing centers provide a secure location to assess learning.

SHARED EXERCISES

To provide for some student-student interaction, each student contributes two solutions per chapter from the assigned homework exercise to the discussion facility in Canvas. Then, each student comments on two solutions that other students have submitted.

PROBLEM SESSIONS

Weekly problem sessions are scheduled each Tuesday at 7pm in Math 206 on the Arnold Campus

to provide more student-teacher interaction. Emails, office visits and telephone calls are also used for student-teacher interaction.

LECTURE NOTES

Lecture notes are available on the Lessons page for students to see what ideas and examples were used in recent lectures for the on campus classes.