Orientation Questions:
What can I expect in a Keely math online
class? How does it work?
Considering taking an online math class with Prof.
Keely? Wondering what to expect? Wondering how it works? See What to Expect.
Is taking an online class right for me?
Online classes don't work well for everyone. Some people learn
best through face-to-face interaction with instructors and fellow students. In
an online class all of the interaction takes place on a discussion board and
much of the learning is independent. While online classes provide you the
freedom to complete educational goals while working and taking care of family
responsibilities, they do require that you discipline yourself to meet course
requirements and participate regularly. Take the
eLeaning
Self-Assessment
to help you decide if online classes will work well for you.
Which math class is right for me? When is it offered
online?
Want to make sure that you are signing up for the right math
class? See Which Math Class is Right for Me?.
Need to know which math classes are offered online during which terms? See the
Annual Schedule of Online Math Offerings.
If I decide to take the class: Will I ever need to
come to campus? Will I need a textbook? How are the assignments submitted? How
are the tests conducted? Do I have to participate on the class discussion board?
Here is the nitty-gritty. You never need to come to campus. There
are NO required on-campus meetings. The entire class is conducted online.
MyMathLab access to the online text is required. The hard copy text is
completely optional. Assignments are submitted via posts to the class discussion
board and sometimes by email. All quizzes, tests, and the final exam are
conducted online in MyMathLab.
Regular participation in the
class discussion board in BlackBoard is required. This is a collaborative
learning class, not a self-paced independent study class. You
should plan to
participate in the discussions at least three times each week, preferably
daily. See
What are the class participation requirements?.
I'm on the waitlist. Is there anything I can do to
improve my chance of getting into class?
WAITLISTED STUDENTS: See
MathOL Syllabus -
Waitlisted Students for information about the waitlist procedure for this
class and how to complete the "modified class orientation" while you are still
waitlisted.
Where should I start? What is the mandatory
first-day class orientation?
The orientation is conducted online in Blackboard. It will walk you through
the course organization and introduce you to the important class documents
such as the syllabus. Essentially is it a guide that orients you to your
online math class. It takes about an hour to complete the orientation. You can
start it early on the first day of class and return later to complete it by
the deadline. To
access the orientation, logon to BlackBoard, enter your math class, and click
"Orientation" in the left side menu. You must complete the orientation by
11:59 pm on the first day of class. Failure to meet this deadline may result in your being withdrawn
from the class or replaced by a waitlisted student under
"Clark's first
week 'no-show' attendance policy". For more
information including an overview of the class requirements see
class orientation
information.
What can I do to get a head start on the class before it
starts?
Checking-in to class early and want to get a head start? See
How to Get a Head Start.
How should I proceed through the course?
The course calendar is your guide to the course. It
lists all the readings, assignments, and deadlines. It is updated each
weekend so check back regularly for updates. Also check the BlackBoard
CourseSite for announcements and new discussion board posts every day. It is
imperative that you participate on the boards frequently.
A typical day consists of reading a section in the text,
reading online lecture notes, working problems in the text, discussing homework
and other math related issues on the class discussion board, and possibly taking a
quick open-book open-note quiz online.
What is the difference between the various class
websites?
There are two main websites associated with the course,
BlackBoard and MyMathLab. BlackBoard.com is where class actually takes place
(see What is BlackBoard?). MyMathLab.com houses the
online text and is where you take the tests (see What is
MyMathLab?). Prof Keely stores her course materials on Clark College's
website, Clark.edu, and her own personal domain. Except Clark.edu, each of
these sites is password protected with a different password system.
What is BlackBoard?
BlackBoard is the course management system software Clark
College uses to conduct its online classes. Blackboard is where you "go to
class". After logging into BlackBoard you can access the course materials,
interact with the instructor and students on the class discussion board, and
complete assignments.
What is MyMathLab?
MyMathLab is an
online course delivery system provided by the textbook publisher. After
logging into MyMathLab you can read the online textbook, view video lectures
and other multimedia files created by the publisher, work interactive tutorial
exercises, and take quizzes and exams.
Can you tell me more about Prof. Keely's GOLDen Mathematics
e-books? Should I buy it?
Some of my courses have an optional book called GOLDen
Mathematics listed in the course materials. I wrote this series of books
available as downloadable e-books at
www.lulu.com/skeely. The Golden Math "texts" are written in a more
conversational style than a typical textbook - as if you were reading a
one-on-one class lecture. The lessons were written originally as webpages for my University
of Phoenix Online classes,
but I did pilot the materials in some online classes at
Clark too. GM is not as fancy as a regular textbook, but students report that
they are more readable than the text. GM includes extensive examples with
graphics and
some quick self-tests to check your progress, but they do not include exercise sets.
The audiences they serve are: online math students wanting to supplement their course,
independent learners wanting to learn or review algebra, and home-educated
students and their parents.
Some former Clark students have recommended the GOLDen Math book and MyMathLab access rather than the hard copy text itself. That way you have all
the material presented through the online text in MML, the supplemental GM, and
the interactive tracked tutorial
exercises in MML (and this combo usually costs at least $20 less than the hard
copy text). You can view a "preview" a few pages of the GM (see link
below) and then make your decision on which
materials would work best for you. BTW, some people choose to buy no text at all
but just use algebra sites on the internet instead as their source for content
and practice. You have lots of options. Choose what makes the most sense for
your learning style, lifestyle, and budget.
More detailed information is available at
www.columbiaview.net/gm.htm.
Do I need any special software to access the course
materials?
Daily access to a high-speed internet connected computer and a
reliable e-mail account are necessary. A dial-up connection can be used but is
really insufficient and causes problems especially with dropped connections
during online tests/exams. You must be fairly competent with email,
your browser, and the internet including searches. An updated and current
anti-viral program is required for your own protection (and mine!). Clark
College's eLearning Department has listed specific
technical requirements
for elearning classes.
If your course requires MyMathLab and you have a MAC, see Will MML
work with MAC computers?
You will need the latest version of Java to access Blackboard.
See How do I know if I have the latest version of Java?
The lecture notes may contain mathematical expressions written in MathML, a language for displaying mathematics in a webpage. You should be sure
to use the most current version of your browser. To determine if your browser
will correctly display the mathematics, try the
test page.
If you use Mozilla Firefox or Netscape Browser, then the mathematics should
display fine. If you use MSIE, then you may need to download and install the
free MathPlayer plug-in from
Design Science.
Other software items:
*
Adobe Acrobat Reader (free) will be needed to print some of the course
materials (.pdf format).
* The professor may create audio and/or video files to present course material. They
will usually play in
QuickTime
but might also work in
Windows Media Player (both free downloads).
* Some of the online textbooks have video components which usually play in
QuickTime
but sometimes require
Real Player.
* Some supplemental sites include flash movies that require
Adobe Macromedia's
Shockwave Player or Flash Player. You likely already have these plugins
installed in your browser --
click here to test.
* Office programs: MS Word may be useful, but not mandatory. If you do have MS
Word, it is recommended that you install the equation editor component (which
allows you to type math symbols in Word). Some of the lectures have PowerPoint
presentations, so MS Powerpoint is useful, but not mandatory.
How do I know if I have the latest version of Java?
BlackBoard, the course management system, does require that
your browser be Java-enabled which it most likely is, but if not you can opt to
enable Java in your "tools" or "options" menu. Make sure you
have the latest version of Java installed. You can test your system at
www.java.com/en/download/help/testvm.xml and if you do not have the latest
version you can download it (free) at java.com/en/download.
Does Clark College provide student email address
accounts?
Yes, Clark students do have access to college-provided
web-based student email
accounts through MSN Hotmail hotmail.com. See Activating Clark College Student Email Account.
Clark admin recommends that "All students activate their college-provided email accounts even if they already
have other email accounts as this will ensure reliable and consistent
communication between the college and its valued students."
If having a hotmail account is useful to you, feel free to take advantage of it. But personally, JMHO, I'm not a Hotmail fan
(privacy concerns, use of web beacons, personal information collection/sharing,
etc.), so I cannot recommend and certainly will not require that you set up a
hotmail account.
What do I need to do if I change my email address
during the course?
If your email address changes during the course, be sure to
contact me privately with the new address so I can change my records. You will
also need to change your address on Blackboard, I
can't do that for you.
Can I use more than one email address for the course?
You can send me email from multiple accounts as long as you
use the proper subject line and include your full name in the body of the
message. However, I will send email to you at only one main class address, the
one you submitted to me in your class orientation form. Be sure your email
address in BlackBoard matches this main class address too. See
change BB email if you need to do that during the
course.
When sending me email from a friend's account, or somewhere
that you could not receive a reply, please include your main class email
address in the body of the message so I can reply to it rather than your
friend!
I have math anxiety. Do you have any
suggestions to help?
Math anxiety can be a dibilitating problem, but one that
you can work to overcome! It often comes from bad experiences with math in
the past, not having a positive attitude (e.g. saying to yourself that you
"can't do it" or that your "brain isn't wired for math" are real killers!),
and being ill-prepared / not practicing enough / not truly putting quality
study time in. There are several well researched things you can do to
relieve math anxiety. Here are a few suggestions:
* Clark math professor Mark Elliott wrote an
Academic
Success Guide with general recommendations for success in college.
* The Clark Mathematics Departments provides
The
Keys to Math Success pamphlet of resources.
* Clark math professor Paul Casillas runs an hour-long free Math Success
Seminar (MASS) usually a few times a quarter.
Watch the math department
website for announcements.
* Cuesta College in California provides some excellent
Math Study
Skills.
* Sheila Tobias, an internationally recognized math anxiety specialist,
wrote
Overcoming Math Anxiety which is worth borrowing from a library.
I have test anxiety. Do you have any
suggestions to help?
The Clark
College Career and Employment Services Center runs "Test Anxiety" and "Test-Taking Tips
and Strategies" workshops every quarter under their "Student
Success Workshops"
program. These are free seminars and well worth taking advantage! See
www.clark.edu/student_services/employment/student_workshops.php for
schedule.
In addition or instead you
can schedule a private meeting (again a free service) with a Clark
College counselor. The person who runs the test anxiety workshop is Tani McBeth.
You can call the Clark College Counseling Center to set up a 30 minute appointment with
her to assist you with test anxiety avoidance strategies. Any of the
counseling staff are available for appointments -- see
www.clark.edu/student_services/counseling/index.php for contact info.
Basic Questions about the Class:
What are the professor's office hours?
My contact
page contains current schedule and office hour times. I am available to meet
online during online office hours or by appointment and I am available to meet
on campus during campus office hours or by appointment. I may also have hours
scheduled in math help sessions
(an on-campus drop-in math tutoring center).
Online office hours are held in Blackboard's "Faculty Office"
one evening per week. This is a real-time chat room with a whiteboard drawing
tool that is useful for adding visuals to the chat. If you can't make that time,
but would like to meet with me online in real-time,
email me
to arrange an online appointment time.
What subject line should I use when emailing the
professor?
When sending me email at my clark.edu address, please
include the course number in the subject line (e.g., "095 - assn 3")
and include your name in the body of the message. I teach several online
classes and can get hundreds of emails a day. I filter class messages into a
priority folder by course number. Including the course number in your subject
line will assist me greatly and assure you a quick response. I don't want to
miss a single one of your important messages!
Note that if you send me email via Blackboard's "Send
E-mail" feature (in "Tools" on your "My Clark Blackboard"
tab) this subject line info is automatically entered. However, if you don't
have your correct email address listed in Blackboard then I will not be able
to reply to you. See Should I change my email address in
Blackboard? and How do I change my email address in
Blackboard?.
All assignments have specified subject lines that must be
used. They are stated on the calendar and/or in the assignment. Using the
hyperlinks provided in the calendar to create the email will automatically
make the appropriate subject line, if your email program supports this
feature. When submitting assignments by email, you must use the exact
suggested subject line and include your full name in the body of the message
in order to get credit for your work! This will assure that you get the
credit you deserve for your work and will make my life easier :)
How can I obtain signatures such as on a financial aid
attendance form?
If you need the financial aid attendance form signed, simply
email me using
the subject line MathOL - FA attendance verification and include in the body of the
message: your full name, SID number, and course number. I will email verification of
your attendance to the financial aid office (and cc you) after you have logged into BB and made at least one post.
Many other forms required by the college can actually be submitted to the appropriate
department by email rather than in hard copy. Contact me by
email if you need
something signed. If you must have a hard copy, we can work this out (you can see me on campus
during a campus office hour, I can leave the signed form for you to pick-up
outside my office, we can use fax or snail mail, or we may be able to use a
scanned attachment to email).
To what time zone do the deadlines refer?
All deadline due times are pacific time. The BlackBoard
system is also set to pacific time.
What time is meant by a midnight
deadline?
A "midnight" deadline means 11:59 pm that evening. For
example, "due by midnight Friday" means "due by 11:59 pm Friday evening".
(I know technically this is imprecise, but I'm adopting the colloquial use of
"midnight" here.)
What day of the week is considered the end of the week?
When grading class participation the "week" is defined as
from midnight Saturday to the following Saturday at midnight. The "weekend" is
considered from midnight Friday to midnight Sunday.
What happens if I have technical difficulties and
miss a deadline? 
Late work earns zero credit!
Quizzes, DQs, and assignments, etc. cannot be made up even in the event of
technical difficulties. So, don't procrastinate just in case! If
BlackBoard.com goes down for a significant length of time, I might extend
deadlines, and if so, will inform you via private email, but that is extremely
rare.
Also refer to
What are my options for submitting assignments offline in
the case of internet problems? and What happens if I get
locked out of the quiz?
What are my options for submitting
assignments offline in the case of technical difficulties?
On rare occasions in an emergency, if you are unable
to access email or the internet for some technical reason and need to submit
an assignment, DQ, or quiz answers, you can phone in, FAX in, or drop off the
questions and answers (note that quizzes often have many versions so
the answers alone are upgradeable!). For credit it
must be received before the due date/time,
clearly identified and complete.
If you submit assignments or DQs by phone then you must follow up with the
appropriate posting or email as soon as your internet access resumes.
If you drop it off at my math dept mailbox, you must have a staff or faculty
member sign it and note the time received.
My phone and FAX numbers are available on the
contact page.
Write them down ... you'll need most them when you can't access the internet
;-}
Can I collaborate with my classmates on or post
questions about assessments?
Problems that are not being turned-in may be
discussed at any time in any forum. If you have questions or get stuck on
homework problems or non-graded worksheet problems, post to the discussion
board. If others post questions that you can help with, share your wisdom!
For assignments that are being turned-in, you are
free to collaborate with your classmates except that you may not post
complete solutions to the discussion board (but you may give "helpful
hints" to each other).
Quizzes and exams absolutely may NOT
be discussed with anyone (any human whatsoever) until after the due date/time!
Doing so will be considered cheating and all parties will be subject to
disciplinary action by the College.
How do I submit assignments?
It depends on the assignment. Assignments that are to be
submitted for a grade ("graded assignments") are listed on the course calendar
and/or in BB's "course docs / graded assns" folder. Some assignments
may be submitted to Prof. Keely by email, some may be posted to the
"assignments" board, some may be a group assignment conducted in a learning team. The key is just to watch the directions
as listed on the course calendar and/or in BB's "course docs / graded assns"
folder.
The daily recommended homework problems are not to be
turned-in. These do however provide an opportunity to earn participation
points. If one doesn't work out then post it to the "main" board so we can all
discuss it!
How can I be sure that emailed assignments were
received?
I will email a quick "received" note back to you usually
within 12 hours of receipt of an assignment submitted by email. If you don't
receive this message it is your responsibility to follow-up immediately via
email. Additionally, after the due date/time I will reply with your score
earned on the assignment.
What is the proper way to cite
resources (including electronic) in assignments?
A nice summary of the correct formats is available from the
Clark College Cannell Library at
www.clark.edu/Library/Instruction/citing_sources.html. You should follow
either MLA or APA style citation formats. The Citation Machine at
citationmachine.net/index.php
uses a simple web form to help you format MLA or APA style citations.
Is it allowable to cite Wikipedia as a source?
No, not as an exclusive source. WIkipedia.com and other
non-academic resources such as weblogs, Ask.com, Infoplease.com, etc. provide
good jumping off places for
your research, but you may not rely on these sites exclusively since the
authors are anonymous and the information posted does not come under a formal
oversight or peer-review process and thus may not be accurate. You are
responsible for the accuracy of any facts you present in your assignments and
you should confirm the veracity of information you find on non-academic
sources through further research and then include the corroborating site in
your research citations.
Can you tell me about the daily practice problems?
See
Math Online Syllabus
- Daily Practice Problems.
Do I earn homework points for working the daily
practice problems / tracked tutorial exercises?
To succeed in this class it is vital that you
practice problems every day (tracked tutorial exercises online or
end-of-section exercises in the hard copy text). However, these problems do
not earn points (directly). Success in mathematics requires regular
practice. Since the quizzes are conducted in MML using the same type of questions and
written in
the same format as the tracked tutorial exercises (TTEs), I strongly recommend
that you do at least every other TTE in MML as your daily practice problems. The more you practice the TTEs
the better you are likely to do on the quiz! That's where the time
invested working the TTEs daily pays off -- on the weekly quizzes and on the
final exam.
So, only the graded
assignments (as listed in COURSE MATS / GRADED ASSNS), weekly DQs, class
participation
(CPRs on "main classroom" board), quizzes, and exams count toward
your grade per the syllabus (see Math Online
Syllabus - Grades). Daily
practice problems (including TTEs or end-of-section text exercises) do not count
toward your grade. I figure that you are all adults and you know that in order to
succeed in a math class you have to actually work math problems on a regular
basis and I'm not going to "force" you to do that. Whether you do or not will
be evident on the quizzes!
Can you tell me about the worksheets? Do I have to do
them?
Worksheets with (sometimes challenging!) practice problems may be made available
approximately once per chapter (temporarily linked from COURSE MATS / WORKSHEETS). In most classes these are
optional practice problems that can be
discussed freely on the "main classroom" discussion board's
"worksheet # thread" (and thus provide opportunities for mathematically
substantive CPR points). In some classes worksheets may be used as a graded
assignment and then of course you would need to do them according to the
assignment directions. Some classes do not have worksheets at all.
Are there any extra credit points available?
No. Students are expected to complete the content as required
by the course curriculum and syllabus. It is considered “best practice”
to grade all students in the course on the same assessments. Therefore, I do
not offer nor accept formal extra credit assignments. Be consistent in your
work throughout the course, earn the points available, and you won't need
extra credit :)
What are the class participation requirements
(CPR) and what does substantive participation mean?
Class Participation is a major part of your overall
grade. The success of this course is reliant on the interactivity on the
"main classroom" discussion board. Much of the learning in our online
classroom occurs through discussions
on this board. For full participation points you must actively participate on
the "main classroom" discussion board throughout the week. Please refer to the
Math Online Syllabus - Participation for
details regarding the class participation requirements (CPRs).
A "substantive" message is one that is relevant
to the class,
thorough, well-thought out, professional, and articulate. To be
considered substantive your comments must advance the discussion
significantly. For a more detailed definition of substantive and one of
"mathematically substantive" please refer to the
Math Online Syllabus - Substantive.
How are posts categorized
as substantive or not?
Labeling a message as "substantive", "mathematically
substantive, "logistic", "technical", "social", or otherwise is solely at my
discretion. As I read the posts I record in my grade book an S for substantive
(a message that advances the thread significantly), M for mathematically
substantive (showing actual mathematical steps to a problem), L for logistical
posts ("where's the course id?"), T of technical ("How do I download"), C for
social ("I dig that band"), or a check mark (supportive messages, thank-you's,
other miscellaneous posts).
I'm looking for an S, an M, and a checkmark from everyone each
week for full CPR credit (assuming that you have posted on more than one day and
not just on the weekend). Remember that logistic, technical, or social messages
do not count toward class participation in any manner.
Why does this class require participation on the
main classroom discussion board?
As in a my on-campus classes which rely on daily group work,
my online classes are designed on a collaborative learning model. Working with
others actually discussing mathematics enhances your critical thinking skills,
a major goal of the College's quantitative requirement. Explaining a problem
to a colleague is the best way to clarify the process in your own head.
Furthermore, employers ask college faculty to provide opportunities to solve
quantitative problems in teams to prepare students for a changing work
environment where team work and shared workload are major components. This
online class provides great opportunities to practice those skills. Take
advantage of it!
I have nothing substantive to add. What should I post to
earn participation points?
The idea is for the "main classroom" board to be a true
discussion hall where you are discussing mathematics as you would in
collaborative learning math class, not just posting for the sake of posting.
It is your option to earn the full participation points on
the main board each
week or not. If you truly feel that you don't have something substantive to
add to the discussions, then think about it as you read the postings. I'm sure
there is something relevant you can add. There is tons of material in the class
such as the readings, assignments, quiz problems, worksheets, posers, LQs, homework
problems, etc. I'm sure that you have significant comments
you can add to these discussions!
Some suggestions: Perhaps there is some problem from the text, a quiz, or a
worksheet that didn't work out for you - if so post the steps you took and ask
for help on the rest of the problem. Or perhaps you found a problem
challenging but eventually figured it out. Share your steps and thought process -
I'm sure others will benefit from your experience/solution. Maybe someone
posted a solution and you can provide the class with an
alternative approach. Or maybe in the readings you found something
particularly useful - reiterate it in your own words to the class. Others
might miss it or not see it the way you do so your interpretation will be very
useful and therefore substantive :) You can also post about the self-tests in
the GOLDen Mathematics e-book - even if you get them right it is good
to get feedback from others that you got them right for the right reason!
Again, it is your choice to post or not, but the effect of
not substantively posting regularly hurts the class collaborative learning
experience and your grade in the long run. Why not make the most of this
opportunity? You can do it!
What are the minimum number/type of posts I must make
to earn full participation points?
Making the full class participation points each week is not
hard and the level of activity required not only will help you be more
involved in the class but will increase the level of collaborative learning
which is the key to a successful online class!
The minimum expected of you is to post 3 messages to the "main classroom" board per the
CPRs. Here is an example that would earn the full
points: Monday post a mathematically substantive message (one where you show
the steps to a problem, perhaps a worksheet problem, homework problem, quiz
problem). Wednesday post a substantive message (perhaps one in reply to
someone else where you make a relevant comment that advances the discussion)
and another message (maybe a quick supportive or encouraging message to
someone else). That would fulfill your requirement for the full points!
Remember that "logistic" messages (like where to locate an
assignment, how to meet the participation requirement, or where to meet for a
study group) don't count toward class participation. The goal for
participation is for the discussions to be really talking about mathematics.
That's what employers ask colleges to provide you with opportunities to do and
this is a great place to practice that skill. You can do it!
Will the course materials be available throughout
the course or be taken down?
Quizzes posted on BlackBoard are only available for
viewing/printing during the window of access. Printing them off so you have a
copy to study later is strongly recommended!
Graded assignments and worksheets will be made available a
few days before their due date and remain available until their due date/time.
Worksheet answers will remain available for 24 hours following their due
date/time.
The discussion board will be cleaned regularly. Old
discussion board threads will be archived. You will
have access to reading the archived posts throughout the remainder of the
course.
If I drop the course can I still access the course
materials?
No. If you drop the course or stop attending the course your
access to the the BlackBoard coursesite and all course materials will be discontinued.
Access to the online textbook (but not the quizzes/exams) in MyMathLab might
be able to be arranged - contact Prof. Keely privately with your request.
Does this online class meet in the event of a Clark College
closure (such as for inclement weather)?
Yes, when Clark College is closed or "day classes cancelled"
(for instance due to inclement weather, electrical outage, or emergency
situation), the online classes generally still
run as usual and all due dates are maintained. However, if a test is due on a
day when Clark on-campus classes are cancelled, then the deadline might be
extended. It is your responsibility to always check the announcements page in
your online class for details. I will try to update it as soon as the
information is available. BTW, an excellent place to get updated college
closure information is www.pdxinfo.net.
What does "HTH" mean and other internet acronyms?
HTH = Hope That Helps. You will see this and other internet
acronyms come up sometimes in class postings and emails. A useful site for
looking up internet acronyms that you are unfamiliar with is
www.silmaril.ie/cgi-bin/uncgi/acronyms. Just type in the acronym like HTH and then
hit "search for an acronym".
BlackBoard Specific Questions:
Does Clark offer any BlackBoard training sessions?
Yes. The Clark College eLearning Department has BB Student
Orientation Tutorials at
www.clark.edu/elearning/orientation.php.
Who should I contact if I am having technical problems with BlackBoard?
Prof. Keely does not handle BB tech support issues.
Instead, contact the Clark College
eLearning Department at
elearning@clark.edu or 360-992-2654. Further support contact info is available by
clicking the "Help" button at the top of the page
in Blackboard or by visiting
www.clark.edu/eLearning/Bb_support.php.
What personal info am I required to provide in BlackBoard?
When your BB account is established by the college, they
enter your first and last name, a password, and a fake email address "user@clark.edu".
You must provide your full name else I cannot identify you
and give you credit for your work. You may want to change your password. BB does allow you to enter other
information like your home address and phone number, but I advise against it for privacy reasons.
To change your email addy or not: That is completely your
decision. If you want classmates to be able to email you (for instance when
working on a group assignment), or if you wish to send email to me using BB's
"send email system", then you must change it. But if you wish to maintain your anonymity in public
you may keep the fake email in BB and opt out of these email services.
What does the email address "user@clark.edu" mean in BB? Should I change
it?
<< UNDER CONSTRUCTION >>
How can I change my password and/or email address in BlackBoard?
In BB, click on "Course Tools" then "Personal
Information". From there you can change your password, email address, name,
etc. You can also set your privacy settings. Note that once you change your
password, I can't retrieve it for you if you forget it, but BB tech support
can help you with that if needed.
How can I check my grade? When are grades updated?
To access your grades from inside your BB class, click COURSE TOOLS
/ MY GRADES. Each assignment's grade is updated usually within 48 hours of its
due date. Each grade must be entered manually so please be patient.
Quizzes will not be added to BB's gradebook weekly, but they
are available in MyMathLab's gradebook. A total of "quizzes to date" will be added to BB's
gradebook only at midterm and pre-final.
Note: Grades are kept confidential between student and instructor.
For legal reasons, Clark College will not allow grades to be discussed over
the phone, email, or publicly posted. However, if in your "mandatory
first-day class
orientation" you granted permission for grades and feedback to be sent via
email then we can discuss grades via email to some degree. To discuss grades
in person please attend a campus office hour or make an appointment to
meet with me in my online "faculty office" for a real-time chat.
Can you explain my score and the comments for "CPR
wk #" in Blackboard's gradebook?
At the end of each week class participation points will be
entered into BB's gradebook.
If you did not earn the full six points nor zero points then you can click on
"comments" in the gradebook and see a score that explains the total
participation points. This score is comprised of 3 numbers and refers to the
Class Participation Requirements
(CPRs).
For example, if the score reads 1-2-0 then that means 1 point for the
"quality" component, 2 points for the "quantity" component, and 0 points for
the "frequency" component.
Can you explain the gradebook
categories?
"Last Submitted, Modified or Graded" date often reports the date
the category was originally established not the date the grade was updated, so
it is usually useless. "Calculated Grade" is the vital category. This column
accurately lists your current points earned in the class so far. "Points Possible" lists the total points possible in the
class in the long run, not necessarily at the point the grades are posted. "Average Score" is supposed to
give you the average score on that assessment item across the class. However,
when students drop, stop attending, or don't take every assessment, then those
zeros are included in BB's calculations making the "average score"
inaccurate (likely reporting lower than the actual class average). "Weight" is not used in this class since all points carry
the same weight independent of how they were earned. Unfortunately there is no way to disable the
useless/inaccurate categories so you will just have to ignore all but the
"calculated grade" and "points possible" column.
How can I calculate my current percent in class?
In BB's gradebook add-up all your points earned in the
"calculated grade" column and add to that all your quiz scores from MML (click
here to learn how to access these scores). In BB's
gradebook add-up all the points possible for those assignments in the "points
possible" column and add to that the points possible from quizzes (e.g. 3
quizzes at 15 pts each is 45 pts). Divide the first number, your earned
points, by the second number, points possible. That is your current percent as
a decimal.
If you have a quiz that is going to be one of the ones
eliminated in the long run (if lowest quiz/quizzes are eliminated in your
class per the class syllabus), then only include those quizzes that are not to
be eliminated.
A total of "quizzes to date" will be added to BB's gradebook
at midterm and pre-final so you don't have to do this calculation yourself if
you can wait for those grade updates which will be announced in BB.
How can I discuss my grade and/or progress in class with the Professor?
In order to protect your private information, per
FERPA regulations
it is illegal for faculty to discuss grades in insecure environments such as
email, phone, or fax. Grades can be discussed in very general terms via email,
but discussions involving your specific course grade and/or progress in the
class must be conducted in person (such as in an on-campus office hour) or
online in a secure environment (such as in an online virtual office hour or in
a by-appointment private chat room session).
Where did the posts go? What are hidden posts? How do I access the archives?
The discussion boards have an archive feature where old
posts are stored. The discussion boards may be cleaned every few days (at
least once per week) and old
posts will be "hidden" effectively archiving them.
You can still view these hidden archived posts for the
remainder of the class, you just
can't reply to them. To access them, enter the specific discussion board, make
sure the messages are displayed in "list view" not "tree view", at the bottom
of that page where it says "display" choose "hidden" then click "go". Now the
archived posts are shown. To return to the current posts choose "published".
When you do a "search" in a discussion board the results
will include the currently published posts and the archived messages.
Am I allowed to post an attachment to a discussion
board message in Blackboard?
The "discussion question", "assignments", and "homework
central" discussion boards may not allow for any attachments, that depends on
the set up of the class. The "main classroom" board does allow attachments.
However, please do not attach .doc, .xls, or .ppt files since many people may
not be able to open or choose not to risk opening these files in class
(including me due to their vulnerability to viruses). Graphics such as .gif or
.jpg files are fine to attach or better yet embed in the message using the
"attach an image" feature in BB. Attached files tend to disrupt the flow of
the conversation, but an embedded graphic can greatly enhance the content of
the discussion. Embedded graphics are fine, but attached files may not earn
class participation points at my discretion.
MyMathLab and Other Non-Blackboard Software Questions:
Where can I find the MyMathLab course
ID?
It is listed in your class syllabus under "course
materials". You will need it along with your student access code ($$) to
register in MyMathLab.
Will MyMathLab work with MAC computers?
Currently MyMathLab is not compatible with MAC
computers. See
www.mymathlab.com/system.html
for MML system requirements. (MML has announced MAC compatibility for the end of
July
2008.)
If your MAC is fairly recent, it may have the ability to boot
up using Windows which would then allow you to access all components of
MyMathLab (thus no need to buy the hard copy text).
If you don't have a Windows boot ability on your MAC, then you
need to buy the hard copy text for studying/practice problems. And on test day
(the quizzes and exams are conducted in MML - that is really the only thing that
you need MML for if you have the hard copy text) you will need to borrow a PC
from a friend (see Can I access MML on any PC computer?)
or take the test in a MML equipped lab on campus (see
Can I take the MML quizzes on campus in Clark's computer labs?).
What is MyMathLab's installation wizard and when
should I run it?
Immediately after you register for MML you must run the
"installation wizard" linked from the announcements page in your MML course.
Note: you do not need to install "test gen" software, just skip this
part of the installation process. The "installation wizard" should also be run
after a MML upgrade or anytime that MML is acting odd on your computer.
When running the installation wizard to I need to install TestGen?
NO! TestGen will not be used in this class. Please SKIP that
step of the installation wizard.
Who should I contact if I am having technical
problems with MyMathLab?
- Are you having trouble installing or running MyMathLab? MyMathLab must be run in MSIE (unfortunately). Be sure
you have all pop-up blockers turned off completely. It may not be sufficient
to just "allow" the MyMathLab site to have pop-ups. Be sure you have
run the MyMathLab Installation Wizard
completely and successfully (it is linked from the "announcements" page in
your MyMathLab course). Sometimes you have to re-run it to be sure
everything took properly. If you are still having trouble, visit the "MyMathLab
Student Help Center" linked from the "announcements" page in your MyMathLab
course. MML has student support FAQs at
mymathlab.com/contactus_stu.html.
- For more ideas or to contact MyMathLab Tech Support, click the "Support" tab in the upper right corner of the window
inside your MyMathLab course. MyMathLab Technical Support contact info
(phone and email) are available at the bottom of that page or see
info.coursecompass.com/website/support.html#contact.
- If you want to know how to complete tests and tutorial
exercises or work with other features of MyMath Lab, on the "announcements"
page in your MyMathLab course click on "MyMathLab Student Help". Online help
lets you browse a table of contents or search by topic to find the
information you need. Also linked from the announcements page are "Tip
Sheets" that describe how to enter answers in quizzes and tutorial
exercises.
Can I access MyMathLab on any PC computer?
Once you have registered with MML and enrolled in my MML
course, you can access MML (the online
textbook, tracked tutorial exercises, and weekly quizzes) from any PC
computer as long as it has had the "MML installation wizard" run on it to be
sure that it has the required plugins (MathXL to be able to see the
mathematical equations inside the tests, QuickTime to be able to view the videos
inside the textbook, etc.). Most computers already have these plugins, but not
all.
Note: Many public computers (e.g. at a public library) will not
allow you to run the installation wizard so you will not be able to access MML
on them!
Can I
access MyMathLab and take MML quizzes on campus in Clark's computer labs?
Yes, the computer labs in BHL 105 and LIB 203 (see
hours) have
MyMathLab installed. Here you can access your MML account, read the online
textbook, work the tracked tutorial exercises, and take the quizzes. To my
knowledge these are the only Clark computer labs set-up for MML access.
Can I access MyMathLab when CourseCompass is down for
maintenance?
Yes. Refer to the CourseCompass
login page for more current information, but generally the message posted says
something like, "MyMathLab registered users can continue to log in using the
special link
www.mathxl.com/login_mml.htm. This alternate login page provides
access to course materials powered by MathXL®, including tests, homework, and
tutorials."
However, when MyMathLab goes down for maintenance or any reason
during the course, access to tests, homework, and the online text may be
disrupted. If a quiz deadline occurs during this down time refer to the
BlackBoard announcements page for any extension notices.
What is the MyMathLab alternate login page and when should I use it?
If you are temporarily unable to login via the usual
portal.coursecompass.com/cclogin.jsp
or if MML is acting strangely (e.g., you can access the online text but not
the exercises) then try logging in via the alternate login page at
mathxl.com/login_mml.htm. The
class will look different, but hopefully you can access everything until the
temporary glitch passes. You can access the tracked tutorial exercises and
quizzes via the "Homework and Tests" menu item. You can review an old quiz via
"Results". The online textbook however is not available via this alternate
login.
Of course if your login problems persist you should
contact MML tech support for assistance
info.coursecompass.com/website/support.html#contact.
How do I access the online textbook in MyMathLab?
I recommend that you use MyMathLab to read
the e-text and work practice problems online. MyMathLab provides the full text
online, multimedia files (videos), and interactive tutorial exercises.
The interactive multimedia online text provides
everything that the hard copy does and more!
Here is a typical study session in MyMathLab:
- Click "Online
Textbook" (on the left side menu) then the specific chapter and section.
-
Watch the "Video Lecture" if one is available then click on the "Multimedia Textbook".
-
As you read the section, view any accompanying videos or other multimedia files,
and work the "You Try Its".
-
For practice problems, work at least every other problem in the "Tracked Tutorial
Exercises".
(See What are the tracked tutorial exercises
and where do I find them in MyMathLab? for directions.)
What are the tracked tutorial exercises and where do
I find them in
MyMathLab?
The tracked tutorial exercises (TTEs) in MML are online
tutorial practice problems. They are like working traditional textbook
end-of-section exercises but you work them online and have tools to help you
such as such as "View and Example", "Help Me Solve This" (which is like having a
personal electronic tutor), and "Check Answer". Although the TTEs are optional, I recommend that you use MyMathLab to read
the e-text and work the "tracked tutorial exercises" as daily practice problems. Since the quizzes and exams are conducted in MML and contain problems
very similar in content and format to the TTEs, the more TTEs you work, the
better you are likely to do on the quizzes and exams :) By working the TTEs as
daily practice problems rather than the traditional end-of-section problems in
the hard copy text, you become accustomed to the format of answers entered in
MML before the quiz!
To get to the tracked tutorial exercises in MML: click "Online
Textbook", then the specific chapter, then the specific section, then "tracked
tutorial exercises". You should aim to work at least every other problem
listed. After working a problem, click "Check Answer" to see if you got it right
or not. If you are having difficulty working a problem, take advantage of "Help Me Solve This"
to have the software help you work through the problem one step at a time. Click "View an Example"
to see a similar problem completely worked out. The TTEs truly are like having a private tutor right on your
computer :)
You may also want to read Must I do the tracked tutorial exercises as
daily practice problems?, Do I earn homework points for
working the TTE in MML?, and What does it mean
to do "every other" TTE?
What does it mean to do "every other" tracked tutorial exercise?
Let's say the TTE are listed as # 1, 3, 5, 9, 13, 15, 19, 25, ... then you
should do at least every other one of these, i.e. # 1, 5, 13, 19, ... I don't
prescribe which of the listed problems to do, but work enough that you are
comfortable with the material and have seen a good variety of the problems in
that section. Remember that the MML quiz questions are very similar to the TTE
so if you have time to do all the TTE then you will likely see the benefits at
quiz time!
Must I do the tracked tutorial exercises as
daily practice problems?
No. You do have to practice problems on a daily basis, but you
are welcome to work the traditional end-of-section exercises from the textbook
instead of the tracked tutorial exercises online. See Can you
tell me about the daily practice problems?.
Where are the answers to the checkpoints and
end-of-section exercises in MyMathLab's online text?
To see the answers to the checkpoints and the end-of-section
exercises, go into the "online textbook" in MML, then scroll down
to the bottom of that page to "answers to selected exercises".
Can you tell me more about the sample quizzes available in MyMathLab?
Some publishers provide generic "sample quizzes" in their
MML content. If so I will make them available to the class as optional
no-credit practice quizzes. Although the questions on the sample quizzes give
some indication of what might be on the "real quiz", the questions the
publisher includes on the sample quizzes may not be exactly the same ones that
are included on the real quiz. CAUTION: The sample quizzes are more of a
chapter review test and may cover topics that we have not covered yet or will
not cover at all in class.
Can I have MyMathLab's quiz and online text open at the
same time?
Yes, but only if you open the online textbook in a new
tab or in a new window (right click on "online textbook" and choose
"new tab" or "new window"). Do not replace the quiz tab/window with the
textbook (or any other page) because you will get locked out of the quiz! So,
you can have the online textbook open in one tab/window and the quiz open in a
second tab/window so that you can reference the online textbook while taking
the quiz.
What happens if I get locked out of the MyMathLab
quiz?
Always try to take the quiz from a
reliable internet connection to minimize the possibility of a technical
problem. When taking an online test don't navigate away from the test, don't close the
test
window/tab, and don't use the browser’s back button! Doing so will cause the
test to lock up.
If you do get locked out of a MML quiz or exam,
email me
at once to let me know so I can unlock your test and you can complete it by the due time. This
email must be sent immediately after you get locked out. Include your
course number in the subject line. Please realize that although I check email
regularly, there is a turn around time, so this
may not work if you get locked out of a test that you are taking late in the
night or during the last few hours! I reserve the right to refuse your request at
my discretion.
If worse comes to worse at least I have tried to build-in a
safety guard with regard to the quizzes (e.g. eliminate lowest scores or allow
multiple attempts -- see your class syllabus for more details). Also refer to What happens if I have
technical difficulties and miss a deadline?
After completing a MyMathLab quiz, how do I review the quiz and see the correct answers?
After the due date/time, click "Online Textbook", click the
chapter you were being tested over, click "Chapter Gradebook", click
"Entire Course to Date" if needed, and next to the
quiz you wish to look over click "Review". You should then be able to review
the quiz, obtain the correct answers, and print the quiz.
What can I do if I think MyMathLab mis-marked a
question on my quiz?
I would be glad to review it for you and determine if credit
should be awarded at
my discretion. Note that if you have a mathematical error or omission, credit is unlikely
to be granted. But if the intent of your answer is clearly correct and you
merely mis-formatted the answer in a way that MML did not recognize, then
credit may be granted.
Here is the process you must follow: After the due date/time, review the
test and correct answers in MML, then simply
email me with the
quiz number, question number, and the reason you believe you deserve the
credit. To be considered this request for credit must be submitted within
one week of the due date of the quiz and have an appropriate
subject line.
Can I get partial credit for
my answers in MyMathLab quizzes?
On multi-part test questions, MML will grade each part
separately and automatically award partial credit for any correct parts of the
problem.
On any test question, if you feel that you deserve partial
credit then I would be glad to review it for you and determine if partial
credit should be awarded at my discretion. Partial credit may be awarded in
some instances.
Here is the process you must follow: After the due
date/time, review the
test and correct answers in MML, then simply
email me with the
quiz number, question number, and the reason you believe you deserve the
credit. To be considered this request for credit must be submitted within
one week of the due date of the quiz and have an appropriate
subject line.
Why isn't the time available for the quiz longer?
There are three possible questions here
