beg/inter algebra -Reply
Barb Gentry (bgentry@PARKLAND.CC.IL.US)
Thu, 26 Sep 1996 12:19:26 -0600
Here at Parkland we offer several combined courses, but they only last
one semester.
arithmetic/pre-alg
pre-alg/alg 1
alg1/alg2
These courses all startewd as pilots. Students are placed into the
courses placed on asdsessment test scores and instructor
recommendations in some special cases.
If a student scores at the high end of the lower portion (like high math in
the math/pre-alg) then he/she is placed in the pilot class. Regular
classes are also offered for each separate course. Students in the first
course use Bittenger and Ellenbogen's Prealgebra. The second course
uses Integrated arithmetic and algebra by Jordan and Palow. The third
course is currently not using a combined texdt because we couldn't find
one we liked. We are using the Hubbard book which is designed for the
second algebra course and are supplementing with handouts--not a fun
project. We anted to use the TI 83 calculator and needed to support that
use with a text and could find none that combined the two courses and
included extensive use of technology.
I have followed the classes for the past year or year and a half--the
length of time the courses have existed. The alg1/alg2 is new this
semester. Of the other courses, those students who have completed
the course with a grade of C or better have done as well as those
students who sent through the regular 2 courses. Since it is a pilot, we
have only one section each semester, so there are not a lot of students
to track since some leave the college, etc.
I'd be glad to answer further questions. Here we have two hour classes
that meet two or three times a week depending on the course. This
allows for lots of cooperative learning activities and much active
participation be the students. I like the combined classes since they save
the students time and money and I think that for the most part they are
interesting to teach and that the majority of students realize that they
have to work hard to be successful wince they are really getting two
courses at once.
Barb Gentry