Mathematics Online Syllabus

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Professor Information
   1. Contact information
   2. Availability
   3. Educational philosophy
2. Technical Information
   1. Class format
   2. Technology requirements
   3. Class websites
   4. Platform (MyMathLab, Knewton) registration
3. First Day Attendance, No-Show Drop, Waitlist, and Late Add
   1. First day attendance and first week no-show drop policy
   2. Waitlist and late add information
   3. Late add rules
4. Course Requirements and Assessment
1. Course overview
2. Canvas assignments
3. Platform assignment
4. Weekly quizzes
5. Final examination
6. Outcomes assessment
7. Pandemic related adjustments
5. Points and Grades
1. Points possible chart
2. Grade scale and grading policies
6. Course Policies and Guidelines
1. Classroom profile policy
2. Discussion board posting guidelines
3. Do your own work policy
4. References allowed on tests
5. Technical difficulties policy
6. Late work policy
7. Support Services
1. Tutoring and assistance
2. Student support services
3. ADA accommodations
8. Student Conduct and Obligations
1. Non-discrimination and harassment policy
2. Student code of conduct (inc. academic honesty and plagiarism policy)
3. Contractual obligation

Contact Information:

Professor: Sally Keely, M.S. (Certified Clark eLearning Professional; Internationally Certified Online Educator)
Preferred name: Prof. Keely (she/her/hers pronouns)
Faculty Website: contact.sallykeely.com includes complete contact info. Bookmark it in case Canvas is ever down and you need to reach me.

The best way to reach me privately or urgently is by email. I am available to students via email Monday through Saturday from at least 10 am through 10 pm. I'm quick to respond! So that your email filters to top priority, please follow these simple format rules:

Email format rules:
   TO: skeely@clark.edu
   FROM: Your Clark Student Email address (your @students.clark.edu address only, not a home/work address).
   SUBJECT LINE: Be descriptive and include the math course number (e.g. "Math 200 - Quiz 3").
   BODY OF MESSAGE: Include your full name, and if needed, your CTCLink ID.

Availability:

I am here to help you be successful. While not available 24/7, I am active in the online classroom and check email several times a day six days a week. I am available asynchronously via email, Canvas message, and discussion boards, and synchronously via text by appointment.

My Schedule provides a rough idea of when I am typically "in class". [ 4/9 7:09pm moved and updated sentance]

FAQ - When is the professor online/offline? When can I expect a reply?

Educational Philosophy:

I encourage you to read my Educational Philosophy statement and Statement of Commitment.

Class Format:

This is a fully online class, thus conducted completely asynchronously. This class is NOT a "remote learning" format, thus has no real-time class meetings (ie. NO Zoom). FAQ - What's the difference between online and remote class? What does "asynchronous" mean?

Technology Requirements:

Daily access to a computer with reliable internet connection is important. Being an online class, you should have a basic ability to use a computer, a browser, and the internet. For more details see FAQs - computer skills and FAQs - software and plug-ins.

It is important to have a back-up plan for internet access in case of an interruption with your primary service. Consider Clark campus labs or library, a local library, friends or family computers. A mobile device might be able to serve as your back-up access. Due to the pandemic, having a back-up computer becomes more difficult (eg. libraries maybe closed). Clark College offers a drive-up hotspot service in the orange 2 parking lot on the main campus. Ultimately it is your responsibility to have technology adequate to access all online class materials.

An electronic grapher is required. I recommend the free online Desmos Grapher. No need to buy a handheld graphing calculator. It is your choice to use a free online graphing program (eg. Desmos), graphing software on your computer, a graphing app on your mobile device, or a handheld graphing calculator. If desired see FAQs - graphers and FAQs - calculators for suggestions.

Access to your Clark Student Email (@students.clark.edu) is required because all email communications with the professor must be through this address not a home/work email address. To activate your account see FAQs - clark student email.

Class Websites:

(Required) CANVAS is where you will "go to class", technically it is our Course Management System (CMS). The weekly modules in CANVAS link to all readings, assignments, assessments, discussion boards, and resources. Grades are kept current in the CANVAS gradebook. CANVAS is the most popular course management system (CMS) at Clark.

(Required) A Digital Learning Platform (DLP) is an online course delivery system where you master objectives by working problems, complete homework, and take tests. Your DLP may also include e-textbook and videos. The modules in CANVAS link directly to your platform and guide you through what to study.

Which platform you use depends on your course. Register your DLP access code inside your Canvas class (details provided there).

• Math 110: Knewton Alta (KA) is where you will work practice problems, complete assignments (homework), and take tests.
• Math 103, 111, 151-153: MYMATHLAB (MML) is where you will read the e-textbook, watch tutorial videos, work practice problems, complete your Study Plan (homework), and take tests.

(Recommended) WAMAP houses Prof. Keely's mini-lectures and examples. Taking advantage of these materials is not required, but strongly recommended. Learning from them is like "attending lecture" asynchronously.

(Optional) Prof. Keely's Mathematics Online Web provides supplemental resources including FAQs. You never need to visit this site directly, but it does provide handy access to class information if you need it (eg., view class calendar without first having to login to CANVAS).

Platform Registration:

Specific directions to registering in MyMathLab (MML) or Knewton Alta (KA) are provided in your CANVAS classroom.

Regarding MML: Note that if you purchased an access code, the registration directions provided with it will not work. The access code will work, but not the directions. Since this class has the platform linked with Canvas (including grade syncing), you must conduct your MML registration using the "MyLab and Mastering" link provided in our Canvas classroom, not directly on Pearson's website.

First Day Attendance and First Week No-Show Drop Policy:

DAY #1: You must login to your class in CANVAS on the first day of the term to secure your day one attendance.
BY THE END OF DAY #2: Post your introduction (CANVAS orientation module >> "Mandatory Orientation Assignment: Introduce Yourself").

Failure to complete either of these orientation requirements properly and on time will result in your being dropped from class under Clark's "No-Show" Policy.

Waitlist and Late Add Information:

WAITLIST: The waitlist is operated by the registration department and faculty cannot override it. The waitlist ends 10-days prior to the term's start date. If you are on the waitlist and enough students drop by this date then you will be automatically moved from the waitlist into the class.

ADDING CLASS POST-WAITLIST / PRE-DAY 3: During the week before the term starts and Monday/Tuesday the first two days of the term you can add yourself to any open class without needing professor permission. Watch the class status carefully (in MyClark@CTCLink "Class Search and Enroll" lists class "status" as open or closed) during that time and jump on any opening! [ 4/5 12:09pm added link]

ADDING CLASS ON DAY 3 OR DAY 4: Starting on Wednesday day three of the term the college requires instructor permission to add. Although I will NOT overload the class, there are times a student drops or I know will be dropped (eg. unmet prerequisite) providing an opening. Adding late is not ideal, so to fill any open spots I will take students in the order I received a request-to-add email that includes: (1) full name, (2) CTCLink ID, (3) Clark Student Email address (your @students.clark.edu addy), and (4) class you wish to add (course number and ID code, eg. Math 103 #5656). If I am able to provide you permission to add, I'll email you to let you know and you will need to officially register at Clark right away before the permission expires, so watch your email closely.

Starting at noon on Thursday day four of the term (Wednesday day three in summer) for the benefit of the class as a whole and your own chance of success I am very unlikely to permit any further late adds.

Late Add Rules:

If you add a class on the first day of the term, then follow the day #1-2 attendance rules.

If you add a class after the first day of the term, then before midnight on the day you register in class you MUST:
(1) login to your math class in CANVAS (access is usually provided within hours of you registering), and
(2) post your introduction (CANVAS orientation module >> "Orientation Assignment: Introduce Yourself").

I reserve the right to drop late-added students if all requirements listed in the orientation module are not met in a timely manner.

Course Overview:

This course requires your daily attention. You will need to be self-disciplined to study the material. Don't procrastinate! The course activities and requirements are intended to provide you with ample opportunities to learn the material and for progress feedback. I expect you to work hard and to be successful. I too pledge to be active in the classroom, attentive to your questions, and help make the class a success.

A typical day/week in this class: Refer to the weekly modules in Canvas as they are your guide to the weekly schedule, readings, assignments, and deadlines. The material is broken into chunks called "units". For each unit you are directed to study specific sections the e-textbook and watch tutorial videos, read the lesson notes (which include supplemental resources), learn from the professor's mini-lectures and examples, master objectives by working problems in your platform, and take a quiz. Some units will also include an assignment (eg. discussion) in Canvas.

Canvas Assignments:

Some weeks will include an assignment in Canvas, worth 3-5 points each. See Class Calendar for deadlines and Canvas modules for details. Roughly, in Co-Requisite (CoRe) courses there are weekly assignments (discussions) in Canvas. In non-CoRe Pre-Calculus courses there are two mandatory assignments in Canvas: (1) post your introduction and (2) submit a self-assessment. In Calculus courses there are five assignments in Canvas, one due in each of the odd weeks, most involving a discussion.

Platform Assignment:

Your course's Digital Learning Platform (DLP) provides problems you work online throughout the course instead of traditional weekly handwritten homework. The set of problems you will work and objectives you will master are called the "Study Plan" in MyMathLab (MML) and called "Assignments" in Knewton Alta (KA). The platform problems are "adaptive" meaning that they learn what you know and what you need to practice. Your goal is to “master” the included objectives for each section we cover in the e-textbook. You may discuss platform assignment problems with each other, a friend or tutor, or post about them on class discussion boards. These are meant to be learning exercises. You do not have to work them independently. Take advantage of resources.

You have all term to work the problems and master the included objectives. Although the platform assignments are not due until near the end of the term (see your Class Calendar for deadline), you should work the problems in the week those objectives are covered. It is expected that you put several hours working the problems and mastering the objectives every week throughout the course. It will not be possible to "catch-up" all the objectives at the end of the course (there are simply not enough hours in the day). Don’t procrastinate!

The Platform Assignment is worth a TOTAL of 40 points. The percent of objectives that you master by the deadline (see Class Calendar for date/time) is the percent of 40 points you earn for the assignment. As a bonus/incentive if you master 80% (or higher) of the objectives by deadline, you will earn the full 40 points possible. (For example: 50% of objectives complete = 20 points, 75% of objectives complete = 30 points, 80% of objectives complete = the full 40 points.)

If your course uses MML, the MyMathLab Study Plan - How To Get Started document has specific details on how to work your study plan. If your course uses KA you can watch the video Introduction to Knewton Alta for Students with an LMS.

Weekly Quizzes:

Weekly quizzes are conducted online in your digital learning platform. Quizzes are timed and expected to be completed in one sitting, meaning that once you click the link to access the quiz you must work through it and may not save your progress and return to it later. I reserve the right to submit “as is” any quiz that has been open for the maximum amount of time allowed. Quizzes will only be accessible for a 60-hour window (noon Thursday to 11:59 pm Saturday evening) and cannot, under any circumstances, be taken outside that window of accessibility. You may start the quiz anytime during its 60-hour window, but once you start it you only have 1 hour to complete it (1 hour and 15 minutes in Math 110 only) and you must submit the completed quiz by its midnight deadline.

You may take the quiz twice and the best of the two scores counts. There will be 10 weekly quizzes total and your lowest three quiz scores get eliminated.

After taking it once, you may study more and take it again. I recommend that you leave at least a day for additional study in between the two attempts which may contain different questions. Immediately after submitting your quiz online you will be able to see your score in the gradebook. This assures that the quiz submitted properly. It is your responsibility to be sure that the quiz is completed by the deadline and submitted properly. Try to take every quiz, but the lowest scores eliminated provide some flexibility in case you miss a quiz, have technical difficulties, or simply have a bad week.

Each quiz covers a few sections of material in the e-textbook (per schedule in Class Calendar). Quiz questions will be short answer or multiple choice. Some questions may require work be typed in a text box or a graph produced inside the online quiz. In some classes quizzes may include an untimed "take-home" portion where work will need to be handwritten and then scanned or photographed for electronic submission.

Final Examination:

A mandatory comprehensive final exam is required in all Clark College mathematics classes. In this class it is conducted online in your digital learning platform in a format similar to the quizzes. The final exam is timed (2 hours), expected to be completed in one sitting, and can only be taken once. It will be accessible for 60-hours and cannot be taken outside that window of accessibility. You will automatically fail the course if you neglect to take the final exam. See Class Calendar for dates and deadlines. The Final Exam Info Sheet for MML Exam or Final Exam Info Sheet for KA Exam contain logistical details and tips-for-success.

If you stop attending class prior to the final exam, or if it is impossible for you to earn higher than an F in the class even if you score 100% on the final exam, then you will not be given access to the final exam.

If you have a dire emergency that prohibits you from taking the final as scheduled, contact me promptly. Refer "Emergencies" clause in the Final Exam Information Sheet for details.

If you have technical difficulties or inadvertently get locked out from the final exam, you must email me immediately per the rules at FAQs - locked exam and be prepared to finish it up right away. The exam will auto-submit "as is" if it is open too long.

Outcomes Assessment:

Clark's mathematics courses support the division's program level quantitative outcomes which for the AA-Transfer Degree are:
1. Analyze and interpret quantitative information presented verbally, graphically, numerically, and/or symbolically.
2. Demonstrate an effective strategy to solve a quantitative problem.

Upon successful completion of the course you should be proficient in the Mathematics Department's course level outcomes that are listed in your specific class syllabus. I break these down further to topic level objectives listed in my Lesson Notes for each course. Each of these outcomes and objectives will be evaluated through your progress in assignments, frequent quizzes, and a comprehensive final examination.

Pandemic Related Adjustments:

Built-in to this syllabus are several adjustments made to ease student burdens during the pandemic while maintaining the quality and rigor of the course. They include but are not limited to: orientation assignment 1 deadline moved to day 2, weekly discussion board participation requirement reduced, 3 of the lowest quiz scores eliminated rather than 2, quiz deadline moved from 9pm to midnight, 33% longer time to take the quiz, platform assignment due at end of term not weekly, final exam worth 25% fewer points.

Points Possible Chart:

The total points possible are listed below by course. All assignments and assessments conducted via your course's platform except the “Canvas Assignments".

Grade Scale and Grading Policies:

Your course grade will be determined by the percentage of the total possible points that you accumulate throughout the class. Course grades are calculated by dividing your total points accumulated by the total points possible, rounding decimals down to the nearest whole percent, and letter grades assigned according to the following scale:

NOTES:

1. There is no extra credit available per FAQs - no extra credit.
2. If this course is a prerequisite to another mathematics course you want/need to take, you need at least a "'C" to continue onto that course and any grade lower than "C" will require you to repeat this course first.
3. Grades are kept confidential between student (even minors) and professor only. For legal reasons to protect your privacy under FERPA, Washington State will not allow grades or progress in class to be discussed by phone.
4. I take my responsibility in assigning grades seriously. Your course grade is determined by the points you accumulate. Grade inflation would not benefit the reputation of the College nor your degree from this institution.

Classroom Profile Policy:

You are encouraged to add a profile to your account in CANVAS. Keep your profile bio and profile photo academically appropriate. If any profile information or photo is deemed inappropriate by the professor for any reason you may be blocked from the online classroom and associated websites until it is fixed and you may not make-up any consequentially lost points.

Discussion Board Posting Guidelines:

When posting to the class discussion board you must write in the English language, avoid profanity, and use appropriate etiquette per FAQs - DB etiquette.

Clear written communication in an online mathematics course depends on properly formatted math expressions. Math expressions can be typed online in a number of ways including plain text, ASCII, HTML, or using a built-in equation editor tool. For tips see FAQs - How do I type mathematics notation online?.

Do Your Own Work Policy:

You are expected to do your own work. If I feel (or it is reported to me) that the work you submitted was not done by you or was not from your own understanding, then you will earn zero credit at my discretion. 

If there is any unusual discrepancy between your ongoing daily work/scores and your test work/scores (eg., not contributing to the discussions yet acing the tests), at my discretion I may: (1) replace one (or more) quiz or exam with a comparable but different version without notice, or (2) require you to take (without notes/text but with government-issued photo ID) either a proctored written assessment or an oral examination or a combination thereof. I will use this information and my professional evaluation to determine your level of competency of the course objectives and understanding of the course content and assign a course letter grade accordingly.

References Allowed on Tests:

When taking a test (weekly quiz or final exam), you may refer to your notes, the e-text, any other printed resources, and use a grapher/calculator, but you absolutely may NOT discuss quiz questions or answers with any human, robot, or AI software until after the due time! See Code of Student Conduct for ramifications of cheating and disciplinary action that can be taken.

Technical Difficulties Policy:

If you are having trouble accessing any of the class materials, get help immediately as every day you delay may cost you points. For technical assistance email or "message" the professor. Technical difficulties do sometimes occur, so this class has some flexibility (eg. being able to take quiz twice, low quiz score(s) eliminated) built-in to help. That being said ...

Late Work Policy:

All deadlines are strict. No late work will be accepted and no missed work can be "made-up" even in the event of technical difficulties. I stand by this "no late work" policy to be consistent and fair to all. Technology and the internet do fail sometimes, so don't procrastinate and do have a back-up plan for computer and internet access.

Tutoring and Assistance:

Your #1 source of help is each other! Posting questions to the "Q&A Discussion Board" in Canvas is a great way to get questions about the material answered (asynchronously) by me and by your fellow classmates. Please check it regularly and post help/support to those asking questions if you can. Many students find it helpful to form ongoing study groups. Groups can meet online (eg. Discord, Zoom) or in person (if safe: outdoors, masks, distance).

Free drop-in tutoring is available (1) in the Clark Virtual Tutoring Center held online in Zoom (Math Tutoring Schedule) and (2) online 24/7 at eTutoringOnline.org.

If you ever need help with anything in this course please contact me. I truly am here to help you be successful!

Student Support Services:

Clark Student Support Services provides a complete list of academic, social, financial, and health resources, including food and housing assistance and mental health support services.

Join Canvas community Clark College Resources & Opportunities to access a good collection of student resources. Supplemental Syllabi Information lists college-wide student support info including emergency management. You may also want to sign-up for emergency RAVE alert. [ 4/10 wording update]

ADA Accommodations:

Clark College supports reasonable accommodations for students who have a documented disability. Disability Support Services (DSS) coordinates accommodations for students with disabilities and/or health conditions (could include a temporary injury or pregnancy). Any student who may require accommodation in order to fully participate in this class should contact Disability Support Services as soon as possible.

For software specific accessibility information see:

• Is MyMathLab ADA compliant? What accessibility features does MyMathLab provide? If you use a screen reader and the e-textbook in MyMathLab is not cooperating, please contact me as there may be an HTML or alternative version available.
• Is Knewton Alta accessible to students with disabilities?
• Are OpenStax e-textbooks fully accessible?
• Is WAMAP ADA compliant? What accessibility features does WAMAP provide?

Non-discrimination and Harassment Policy:

Discriminatory or harassing speech or behavior will not be tolerated. The online classroom strictly abides by Title IX and Sexual Misconduct Policy and Non-discrimination and Harassment Policy. Any student violating either of these policies will be referred to the Dean of Students for disciplinary action. You are expected to keep your academic communications polite and professional and to treat your classmates, your professor, and all college employees with respect and civility.

Code of Student Conduct (including Academic Honesty and Plagiarism Policy):

As a member of the Clark College student body, you are expected to conduct yourself honestly and with integrity. You must comply with the Clark College Code of Student Conduct. If you cheat, or aid someone else in cheating, you violate a trust, do yourself and the College a disservice, and undermine the credibility of the degrees Clark College confers. Anyone interfering with the educational process is subject to removal from the class and referral to the Dean of Students for disciplinary or other action. 

In this class you WILL NOT:

1. Discuss or post about quizzes or exams in any capacity with anyone until after the deadline.
2. Plagiarize work or violate copyrights.
3. Cheat in any manner. Cheating includes, but is not limited to, plagiarizing work, copying/swapping/sharing answers on tests, or illicitly giving or receiving help on tests.
4. Use professor or classmate email addresses / profile information for any non-class related use.

In this class you WILL:

1. Keep all your class login information confidential.
2. Take all online quizzes and exams by yourself without assistance from any other human or any robot and you may NOT submit problems into any AI software (eg. photomath).
3. Contact me at once with details, anonymously if you prefer, if a classmate asks you to cheat or help them cheat, or if you are in any way aware of someone cheating. Failure to do so is considered cheating in itself.

Failure to abide by these rules or any suspicion of cheating will result in the following actions:

1. You will earn zero credit on the work (test, assignment, etc.) where the cheating occurred. This grade cannot be dropped. The second incidence of cheating will result in an "F" in the class and possibly permanent removal from the classroom.
2. A report of the incident may be sent to the Dean of Students who may file the report in your permanent record or take further disciplinary action such as suspension or expulsion from the college.

Contractual Obligation:

I consider this mathematics online syllabus to be a contract between you and me. I agree to abide by all the policies and procedures contained herein, and by staying in the class, so too do you. If there is anything in this document with which you cannot or will not abide, you should discuss it with me at once and/or withdraw. This syllabus is the ruling document in the event of a conflict with college policies.