student

To the Student

This course is designed to help you discover and express mathematical relationships found in the world around you. As you work through the activities, we hope that you will:

see connections between mathematics and other areas,
become adept in using some technological tools such as calculators, computers, or microcomputer-based labs (MBL's),
become self-directed, independent, and persistent in pursuing solutions to problems,
develop a variety of problem-solving strategies,
perform cooperatively and effectively in small goup work,
gain success in solving non-routine problems, and
become skillful in explaining and justifying your reasoning.

Because learning is an active and constructive process, be engaged, persistent, and imaginative in approaching the challenges presented in the activities and exercises. Since the objectives of the activities are best achieved in a cooperative learning environment, it is intended that you work on the activities with a few of your classmates. To clarify your thinking about the ideas involved in the activities, work together in explaining and justifying your perceptions, strategies, and procedures.

Also, use other resources in working on the activities and exercises. Your text, or other reference works, might provide needed information. In addition to your classmates, other friends could offer appropriate guidance. A calculator is essential in working the activities. Graphing calculators and spreadsheets will be particularly useful.

Your instructor will provide some suggestions and guidance. Questions concerning the activities will be discussed. Although you may have forgotten some of the mathematical knowledge used in these materials, if you have taken two years of algebra you can regain the knowledge necessary to successfully complete the activities and exercises. Time and determination promote effective learning. You will find there is no substitute for time on task. Learning to use your time well is critical. Four to six hours per week should be a realsitic minimum amount of time to allocate for out-of-class study and preparation for this course.

Enjoy the effort.

Look at the course syllabus.
Look at the MATH 115 home page.
Look at Don Cathcart's home page.