Prealgebra
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Unit #1
Unit #2
Unit #3
Unit #4
Unit #5
Unit #6
Unit #7
Unit #8
Unit #9
Unit #10
Unit #11
Unit #12
Unit #14
Unit #13
Welcome!! This page is the beginning point for the class. Everything you need is right here (except the textbook and tests). All you need to do is click on a folder below to access lectures over the lesson, lectures of examples from the homework, homework assignments, test and quiz dates, when homework is due, etc., etc.
How to take the Quizzes:
~you will be taking one quiz for each chapter
~after you take the quiz, the computer will score it for you and put your grade in Blackboard
~when the week comes for the first quiz, there is a video available to watch to see exactly how to take the quiz
~ALL quizzes can be taken on your own computer with no password necessary
~I have been teaching long enough to know that it is really easy to cheat on the quizzes (i.e. a friend who is good in math can take it for you, you look up the problems on Google, etc)...but (there's always a big but), when you have to take the tests later in the course, you are really going to be happy you took the course seriously and did the work by yourself. Plus...there is something to be said for integrity and my respect for those who display it.
~if the computer messes things up for you while taking the quiz or if you have a question on an answer you thought was correct, but the computer counted it wrong...email me. I oftentimes go back and give points or allow you to retake the quiz.
~remember to look at the dates the quizzes are open (Thursday mornings through Sunday nights)
How to take the Tests:
~you will be taking 4 tests...one over the Review chapter and chapter 1, one over chapters 3, 4, & 5, one over chapters 6, 7, & 8 and the last test over chapters 9 & 10.
~the first two tests will be taken on your own computer just like the quizzes with no password necessary
~the third test (chapters 6, 7, & 8) and the last test (chapters 9 & 10) MUST be taken at a UAA learning center. If you live in the bush or in the lower 48, contact me about other options. These two tests are only available when a proctor at a learning center puts in the password so it opens for you.
~after you take the tests, the computer will score them for you and put your grade in Blackboard
~when the week comes for the first test, there is a video available to watch to see exactly how to take the test.
Important: On ALL quizzes and tests, you are allowed to use notes and a calculator
(homework due dates, test and quiz dates)
FAQ Prealgebra
So, when are homework/notes due for each lesson?
Homework/notes are always due the Friday AFTER the test over the chapters. So, if you have a test over chapters 3-5 one week, the homework/notes for chapters 3-5 are due the next Friday.
If I have a question over a problem in the lesson, how should I contact you?
Either by text or email. Since I don’t always carry my textbook (I’m a math nerd, but hey, c’mon, I’m not that bad), it is always good to take a picture of the problem for me…especially if you send a text since I can make a video of me solving the problem from my phone…which I always have
If I ask a question, how long until you respond?
If it is an email, then it is usually no more than a couple of hours. If you text me, it’s usually a few minutes
What if I have a family or work emergency and don’t get to take the quiz or test on time?
Let me know as soon as possible that there is a struggle and we will work it out. Please don’t email me 2 weeks after the emergency asking for me to give you special privileges…keep the communication coming.
What if I miss a quiz because I “spaced it”?
Beg and plead and buy me coffee and we will work something out. Seriously, you don’t have to buy me coffee. I will give you a break once in while, just don’t make it a regular thing.
Will you send me an email after each test and quiz and tell me what I did wrong on problems and then tell me what I need to learn to do better next time?
I would love to, but think about it…if I have 50 students (which I do), and the quiz is 20 problems, and if the average student missed 4 questions, I would have to write to each of the 50 students, talk to them about each of the 4 missed questions….you can see that this would really take a ton of time. After the quiz or test, the computer will tell you which problems you missed. I would suggest that you try to find your mistakes (that’s where the learning happens). If you just can’t figure it out, then ask me and I will be happy to help you. NEW: After each test, I will make a video available of me taking the test and explaining how to do each problem so you can see where you went wrong....and you get extra credit for watching this video if you email me that you watched it.
If I have a math question, how will you help me?
I have this really handy app on my phone and iPad called “Lensoo”. It gives me a whiteboard and records my voice, so I can do the work and explain what I am doing using my phone. Then I send the video to you to watch. I really try to do this right away since I know you would love to have the help right away.
It sounds like you really try to respond and help us out all day long…do you have a life?
Not really. I don’t sleep, eat, or ever take my eyes off my computer screen. I have given my life to each of you and am at your “beck and call” anytime day or night…You have me “in your pocket” to take out and get help anytime you want…In your dreams!! Of course I have a life, but I also take my teaching very seriously as well as helping each of you succeed.
Where can I get most of my questions answered?
The syllabus and website are a great place to start. I would go there and thoroughly read the syllabus first.
So, are you a nice guy? Or should I be afraid?
Well, my grandkids think I am nice…I buy them slushies all the time. But my 8 year old granddaughter said to me today, “PaPa (she calls me PaPa), I can always tell when you’re mad because you take your hat off, then put it back on, then take it off, then put it back on”…so, I bought her a slushie to show her I wasn’t mad.
I am actually a patient guy who really loves teaching and helping my students all I can. I do expect you to each do all you can to succeed in my course. If I know you are trying hard, I will do all I can to help you out…except buy you a ticket to Hawaii. That’s crossing the line. But I may suggest you go to Hawaii...and get a slushie.
What other tips can you give me?
Well, there is this cookie called “Lotus Biscoff” that is fantastic when dipped in coffee. You should buy some and dunk away especially when working on math.
What is this thing called RPNow for taking my tests?
RPNow is a program that allows you to take your tests at home. Before this semester, you would have to go to campus to take tests in order to make sure you didn’t cheat. It was a way to keep you accountable. Problem is…lots of my students live in the bush or work on the slope. I have even had students in the military stationed overseas. This makes it hard to get to a campus. Now I use RPNow…it’s really creepy. The way it works, is you turn on your computer (you must have a mic and camera), take the test and the program records you taking the test. If it notices that you are doing something weird like turning pages in a book off camera, it lets me know you may be accessing stuff you shouldn’t. It also knows if there is someone else in the room (I told you it’s creepy). Then, it sends the video to me to watch in all my spare time (like I am really going to do that…that would be totally creepy!!)
Anyway, we will give it a shot this semester to see how it goes.
Click Here if you don't have your textbook yet
