AE109 - Introductory Algebra
Tutoring and Academic Help
If at any time you find the presentation confusing, or if you have an idea on how to improve it, please feel free to e-mail your instructor with your suggestions.
Each lesson should take only a few hours to complete. It is usually easier to complete a lesson if you set aside - three uninterrupted hours. If you have difficulty with the lessons, you can email your instructor for help, and he will usually respond within 24 hours. Alternately you can contact the Smarthinking tutorial service. This service has a live tutor available for immediate interaction and uses a "whiteboard." It is available during the hours of 1:00 - 3:00 pm and 9:00 pm - 1:00 am daily. The whiteboard allows you and your tutor to actually write on each other's computer screens. This service is fantastic and should definitely be used if you run in to any difficulties.
Help is available throughout the course in a number of ways.
ONLINE RESOURCES - Look for an Icon of the globe with www on top of it.
Whenever you see an icon that looks like a globe (world), you can go online and see motivating chapter photos and captions. They illustrate and reference a specific application from the chapter. To access this online resource, go to Publisher's online Resources.
PRACTICE TESTS
Practice tests are available on line by visiting the publisher's website at Ace Practice Tests. These tests help you check your understanding of the material in the chapter, but do not count towards your grade at BMCC.
SOLUTIONS MANUAL
The publisher has solutions available for all odd numbered questions at Solutions.
VIDEO TUTORIAL AND CD ROM
Every student who enrolls in the course will get a state of the art CD Rom tutorial software along with the textbook. Next to each objective head in the text is an icon looking like a CD Rom reminding you that there is a tutorial lesson corresponding to that lesson. This CD contains many helpful tips and examples to help you understand the course better.
Text-specific videos are also available (for purchase) from the publishers of the text.
TUTORS AVAILABLE THROUGH SMARTTHINKING - AN ONLINE TUTUORIAL SERVICE
The publisher of the textbook also provides tutorial assistance to all registered students as part of the purchase price of the textbook. There are real live tutors available either on a 24 hour email response, or live between 1:00 - 4:00 every weekday, and between seven:00 - 11:00 every weekday evening. The tutor will allow you to connect directly to his computer using a "Whiteboard" so that you can have immediate live help. Connect to them through their website at smarthinking.com. Technicians are available to help you download and install the required software.
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To connect with an e-structor, follow these directions
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------Log on to their website at smarthinking.com. You will be given a login the first time you attempt to access the smarthinking website. It comes at no extra charge when you purchase your new textbook, and is valid for one year from the date of purchase of the textbook.
Choose HM Basic/Math from the pull-down menu.
The pull-down menu displays only currently available subjects. Search the schedule for available times for Basic College Mathematics. Mathematics is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Wait for your whiteboard to open. The first time you use the service, you may have to download the whiteboard.
Click on "Ask a Question."
Type your question in the whiteboard and click on "Submit a Question" (Hint: If your question is already typed somewhere else, you may copy it on the whiteboard by using the paste text function under the Edit Menu).
When the e-structor is ready to help you, you will hear a cowbell ring. You may now communicate with the e-structor by typing on the whiteboard area. Feel free to ask your e-structors questions about how the whiteboard works. You may also learn more about the whiteboard tools by visiting the practice whiteboard area under Customer Support. Use the red Exit button when you are done. Your work with the e-structor will be available from your inbox within the next 24 hours.
THROUGH YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Sometimes, even all these resources don't seem to clarify a problem. If you feel you are experiencing difficulty with the course objectives, then please contact the instructor for additional help. He can be reached by phone at (705) 759-9127 or by e-mail at mturco@bmcc.edu.
BAY MILLS MATH TUTORIAL
Tutorials on basic math skills are available at BMCC Math Tutorials . Topics covered include Numbers, Fractions, Decimals, Percents and Percentages and Equations. This is an excellent opportunity for you to review these basic skills in these areas.
BAY MILLS CHAT ROOM
This resource is available for those who wish to seek conversations with other students. In the past almost all students e-mail the instructor directly for any questions or problems. For Math, the Chat Room doesn't seem to work very well. Enter it by clicking on
CHAT on BMCC's home page. OBJECTIVES
Each lesson has one or more objectives. After completing the lesson you should be able to perform each objective. As with any other academic course, some objectives will seem very easy and elementary, while others will require more effort to master. It is very important that you master each objective before moving on to the next. If you experience difficulty, please get extra help from any or all of the resources above.
Your successful completion of this course depends on your mastery each of these course objectives. You will be the best judge of whether or not you understand the concepts and can perform the objectives. Your instructor will also be monitoring your progress and will offer suggestions based on each lesson quiz. By proceeding methodically through each lesson one objective at a time and through each chapter one lesson at a time, you will gain the understanding necessary to pass the final exam.