Spring 2010

Dear Student,

Welcome to Algebra 2 online at Genesee Community College. I believe you’ll find this course to be an interesting, challenging, and rewarding experience.

Our main means of communicating this semester will be through the use of the Blackboard (My Courses) software at Genesee Community College. Please log on at http://genesis.genesee.edu , click the “My Courses” tab at the top of the page, and navigate your way to the “Algebra 2” link. This link, which connects you to the college’s Blackboard server, will be available by Monday of the first week of classes. If you want to get started earlier, go to http://faculty.genesee.edu/kjmead and select the “Algebra 2 Online” link.

Note: this semester I am going to assign homework ONLINE using WebAssign (at http://www.webassign.net). I will notify you shortly about how to connect up.

I suggest that you thoroughly read the syllabus and make notes of the important dates for the semester. Some key points to note:

• The course is broken up into six distinct modules.
• Each module will take about 2-2.5 weeks to complete.
• You will take one quiz for each module.
• Quizzes must be taken on or before the due date – no late quizzes will be accepted.
• Quizzes must be taken, in person, at one of the college’s testing centers.
• There will be a final exam that replaces one of the quiz grades. This final exam may be optional depending on your average at the end of the semester.

Our textbook, Intermediate Algebra - An Applied Approach, seventh edition by Aufmann, Barker and Lockwood does a nice job of presenting the course content in a clear and straightforward manner. In the study packet for each module you’ll see a precise listing of all the chapters, sections, objectives and problems you’ll need to examine to master the content.

In "My Courses" (a.k.a. Blackboard), I will post the learning objectives, timelines, and activity sets for each module. I'll attempt to highlight the most important material. Each module covers 6 to 7 chapter sections, consists of a list of suggested exercises, and culminates in a quiz. Your active participation in the suggested activities will ensure your success in this class. You must not fall behind in the work! I give no make ups for quizzes and do not accept late assignments. Once the deadline for a quiz has passed, a grade of zero will be recorded.

If you live in the Genesee region, you'll be taking exams at one of the local campus centers. It is your responsibility to know the testing hours for your local campus center. You may take exams any time on or before the exam deadline. If you live outside the Genesee region, you'll need to find a proctor willing to administer the six quizzes and final exam. For more information on the College's requirements for proctors, please look at the “exams and proctors” link at the Distance Learning Student Handbook at http://www.genesee.edu/DL/handbook or send an email requesting help to online@genesee.edu.

Good luck with the course! Please contact me at kjmead@genesee.edu if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Ken Mead
Professor of Mathematics and Computer Information Systems
Genesee Community College