Note: Excerpts below are unofficial.
COURSE INFORMATION
Instructor: Joe Champion, Ph.D.
E-mail: joe.champion@tamucc.edu
Webpage: http://faculty.tamucc.edu/jchampion
Office location: Center for Instruction #359
Office phone: 361-825-3165
Office hours: Mon -Thurs 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.; also by appointment
Meeting place: Center for Sciences 110
Meeting times: 8:30-11:30 on June 11-14, June 18-22, & June 25
8:30-4 on June 15
COURSE DESCRIPTION
As suggested by the catalog description (below), this course provides an advanced perspective on the concepts in school algebra. Content focuses on problem solving in an algebraic context.
Algebraic reasoning incorporating the use of technology. This course includes investigations of patterns, relations, functions, and analysis, with a focus on representations and the relationships among them.
Note: This section is specially designed to leverage connections to high school mathematics.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon successful completion, students in the class will:
- Algebraic Reasoning: Be able to describe the three habits of algebraic thinking and recognize examples of each in multiple contexts.
- Algebraic Structures: Perform computations and analyze properties of operations in previously unfamiliar algebraic structures.
- Patterns: Translate patterns and sequences among multiple representations, including pictures, tables, words, numbers, and algebraic symbols.
- Functions: Recognize and describe the processes of doing and undoing functions, relations, and algorithms in a variety of contexts.
- Linear Change: Recognize linear change in multiple forms and be able to find the equation of a linear relationship presented in numerical, graphical, verbal, or symbolic form.
- Families of Functions: Identify linear, quadratic, exponential, and other common families of functions when represented in patterns, graphs, equations, and tables.
MAJOR COURSE REQUIREMENTS and ASSESSMENTS
Final course grades will be a weighted average of mean scores using the following weights:
Classwork 20%
Project 30%
Homework & Quizzes 20%
Final Exam 30%
Final weighted grades exceeding 90% will result in a letter grade of A. Those exceeding 80% will result in at least a B; ≥ 70% will result in at least a C; ≥ 60% will result in at least a D; below 60% will result in an F.
Classwork– participate in inquiry tasks, whole-class discussion, and group work activities during regularly scheduled class time.
Projects – First, select a challenging concept in school algebra and describe an approach from educational literature for teaching the concept. Then, create an inquiry-based activity for you to teach the concept. See the project guidelines for assessment details.
Homework & Quizzes – demonstrate your mastery of student learning outcomes through 30-45 minute assessments during the course. Homework may require high speed internet access and word processing software.
Final Exam – complete a comprehensive summative evaluation of your knowledge through a post-test. The final exam cannot be made-up if missed. If you have a conflict with the scheduled final exam time, please contact me at least one week prior to discuss scheduling options.
» The final exam is scheduled for Monday, June 25 at 8:30 – 11:30am.