Post Secondary Teaching and Learning - PSTL

Description:  A second course in algebra taught using computer-mediated instruction. You learn new material using interactive multimedia computer software. There are no lectures. You will be on the computer 70% of each class period. The rest of the time you will be working on algebra problems, taking exams, and working individually with the instructor. This course is not self-paced; you must follow a set schedule for checkpoints, homework, and exams. Course covers concepts and procedures of intermediate algebra at a level of difficulty and abstraction geared for students enrolled at a research university. To be successful you must enter the course being able to work with expressions, equations, exponents, polynomials, factoring, rational expressions and equations, and graphs. Course content includes roots, radicals, linear, quadratic, exponential, and logarithmic functions, and word problems. Hourly time commitment per week: Class: 4, Reading: 1, Writing: 0, Studying: 2, Homework: 6. Homework assignments ask you to work 10-40 problems each class day. Testing includes daily mini-quizzes, four 50 minute closed-book exams and a two hour comprehensive final. Calculators are allowed. Course prepares you for Math 1031 College Algebra or Math 1051 Precalculus I, as well as PsTL 1004 Statistics and PsTL 1006 Mathematical Modeling and Prediction (both of which satisfy the CLE Mathematical Thinking requirement).

Class URL:  http://www.tc.umn.edu/%7Edroberts/

Class Time: 30% Discussion, 70% Web Based. Computer-mediated instruction, work individually, work one-on-one with instructor

Work Load: 20 pages reading per week, 4 exams, 20 homework assignments. 10-40 homework problems for each class period

Grade: 60% mid exam, 20% final exam, 10% quizzes, 10% written homework.

Exam Format: Exams are problem oriented (e.g., Solve this equation)

Instructor:  Robertson,Douglas Frederick (Morse Alumni Award; UC Outstanding Teaching Award) | Instructor Photo