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College Algebra Course Redesign Evolution or Revolution? The process of change….

College Algebra Course Redesign Evolution or Revolution? The process of change…. Tammy Muhs - University of Central Florida Orlando, Florida tmuhs@mail.ucf.edu. Motivation for Redesign. College Algebra: Annual enrollment approximately 4,000

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College Algebra Course Redesign Evolution or Revolution? The process of change….

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  1. College Algebra Course RedesignEvolution or Revolution?The process of change…. Tammy Muhs-University of Central Florida Orlando, Florida tmuhs@mail.ucf.edu

  2. Motivation for Redesign College Algebra: Annual enrollment approximately 4,000 Why did we consider a mathematics course redesign? • Success Rates: Pass rates were down, withdrawal rates were up • Space Concerns: Too many students, not enough classrooms • Budget Concerns: We needed to do more, with less

  3. Redesign Goals Increase learning outcomes and success rates while decreasing cost and withdrawal rates. • Create a student-centered learning environment • Students spend one hour in class where they review concepts from the previous week, highlight upcoming material, and receive administration information • Students spend a required three hours in the lab Mathematical Assistance and Learning Lab (MALL)

  4. Mathematical Assistance and Learning Lab (MALL)From Renovation to CompletionPhase I - 95 computers (Spring 2010)Phase II - 100 computers (Summer 2010)Phase III - 120 computers (Fall 2010)

  5. Instructional Assistance in the MALL • Peer tutors, undergraduate and graduate mathematics students work in the lab • Peer and undergraduate tutors paid $8 per hour • Graduate tutors (not GTAs) paid $12 per hour • Required to complete online homework • Become test proctors during testing weeks • Tutor training about 14 hours a semester • College Reading & Learning AssociationInternational Tutor Program Certification • Top GTAs are called Mentors • Meet with teaching team weekly • Communicate with students • Hold seminars and test reviews • Help with classroom management

  6. Online Testing in the MALL • Test Scheduling System (Testing Cal- Pearson Custom Product) • Scheduling is open for a week, students have multiple time and day options available, they receive automatically generated reminder emails • Intermediate Algebra, College Algebra, Trigonometry, Precalculus, Finite Math, and Explorations in Math (enrollment up to 4,500 per semester) • Testing is completed online in a proctored environment using a password system (MyMathLab) • Immediate feedback • Bluebook system to assign computers and scratch paper • Free response questions, multiple choice, or combination • Challenge week for formatting errors • Integrity violations almost non-existent • Print Cost savings (College Algebra tests in 2007-08 cost more than $7000)

  7. Redesign Pilot Fall 2008Decreased cost from $70 to $49 per studentFull implementation as of spring 2010

  8. Presidents Class Size Initiative (PCSI) • Provided support for Instructors and Lecturers to work in the MALL in addition to the peer tutors, graduate tutors, and GTAs • Created Small Within Large Class Environment • Students register in sections of 19 students • Between 16 and 20 of these sections meet together once per week in a large lecture hall • Sections form both an in-class and virtual community • Communication has been shown to have an important role in learning and understanding mathematics (Knuth & Peressini, 2001)

  9. Future Work and Conclusions • Producing favorable results • Increasing the number of students advised by mentors and faculty • Improving student learning outcomes • Increasing course offerings • Intermediate Algebra starting fall 2010 • Precalculus starting spring 2011 • Future studies • Look at retention and graduation rates • Look at success in later courses (STEM)

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