About Your Course

Successfully completing NCBM 0222/MATD 0485 satisfies the prerequisites for Contemporary Math (MATH 1332) and Elementary Statistics (MATH 1342).  Successfully completing these courses do NOT make you eligible for any college-level algebra course (e.g., MATH 1314, MATH 1414 or MATH 1324).

Instructional Methodology: 

Classroom Section: This course is taught in the classroom primarily as a lecture/discussion course.

Synonym: NCBM 0222: 83548; MATD 0485: 83547 Section: NCBM 0222-003; MATD 0485-003

Meeting location: HLC2 2221 Meeting times: MW 1:00 pm - 3:40 pm

                                                                                                                          TTh: 1:00 pm - 2:20 pm

Prerequisites: Appropriate score on math TSI Assessment test.  Departmental approval is required for these courses. 

Required Materials  

This is a First Day™ class. The cost of required course materials, including an online version of the textbook and software access, has been added to your tuition and fees bill.   

Textbook: Developing Mathematical Thinking, 3rd Edition for ACC. Pearson Publishing (MyLab software) 
ISBN: 9780135352083 

Supplemental Materials:  A handheld scientific calculator is required for this course.  I recommend the TI-30 XS.  The TI-30 XIIS is more difficult to use, so I do not recommend that one.  Eligible students can check out required technology at https://www.austincc.edu/students/student-technology-services.

Other Technology: Access to a webcam and microphone are required for this course. Eligible students can check out required technology at https://www.austincc.edu/students/student-technology-services.

Course Calendar 

Note: Schedule changes may occur during the semester. Any changes will be announced in class and posted as a Blackboard Announcement. 

Important Dates

Last day to withdraw: Jul 22, 2024

Holidays: June 19, 2024 Juneteenth Holiday (college closed)

                  July 4, 2024     Independence Day Holiday (college closed)

(Please note these are the ONLY holidays this semester.)

Making Time to Learn

We learn math by thinking about and working on mathematical problems, which takes time. Practice is crucial in a math course. To ensure that you have adequate time, set aside 10-15 hours per week outside of class time to practice and study for this course.  Ask for help immediately when something isn’t clear.  

Getting Help

ACC provides several free resources for students who need help; descriptions and links are below:  

Office hours: Another name for office hours is “student hours.” This is the time your instructor has set aside to answer student questions, so feel free to drop by if you have questions. Office hours may be virtual or on campus; see information above. 

Instructional Associates: Instructional Associates specific to the course you are taking are available for tutoring. To make an appointment, go to https://sites.google.com/a/austincc.edu/math-students/meet/list and then click on your course. 

Learning Labs: The ACC Learning Labs provide tutoring in math and other subjects. To schedule an appointment, go to https://www.austincc.edu/students/learning-lab. This site includes information about in person and virtual tutoring options.

Academic Coaching: Academic coaches offer extra support to students with study strategies; they want to help you learn to be an active participant in your own learning process. For more information or to make an appointment with an academic coach, go to https://www.austincc.edu/students/academic-coaching. 

ACC Student Services: Services are offered in many areas, including Academic, Financial, Personal, and Technology Support.  For more information, go to https://www.austincc.edu/student-support

Expectations

The Nature of This Course

This course is very different from some of your other math courses in that you are asked to use complete sentences to explain your thinking process or justify your answers, which will prepare you for the next college-level course.  In these courses, how you are thinking about the mathematics is just as important as getting the “right answer.”   

Why use group activities?

When an instructor prepares a math lecture, they have questions in mind that they ask the class as they work through examples.  Because students process information in different ways and at different rates, it can be difficult for all students to follow a lecture.  To give students more processing time, we have written our lectures out in activities.  This way every student has time to really think about the question, form better connections between concepts, and practice writing out meaningful responses.   In-class activities allow students to practice these skills before they are expected to do it on their own on an assignment.  The more effort and thought you put into the activities, the more you will learn and be prepared for what is expected on assignments and exams.

How does working together help you learn Math?

Working together exposes you to other ideas you may not have considered.  Also, it gives you an opportunity to pose questions to other students and to the instructor.  Responding to questions from other students allows you an opportunity to express your explanations and justifications and check your own understanding of the content.  Your instructor is always available to help clarify as you are working through the activities, so don’t hesitate to ask for help.  

Class Expectations

• You are expected to struggle through some complicated ideas with classmates and on your own to make more meaningful connections and synthesize ideas.  
• You are expected to work with real-world scenarios and data, which means the numbers get messy.  
• You are expected to talk with other students about your ideas and listen carefully to their ideas so you can learn to think through all kinds of different math problems.  
• You are expected to spend a lot of time thinking more deeply about mathematical ideas, and to write about your thought process.  
• You are expected to think through a problem and apply your knowledge to problems that you have never seen before.

Grades

Grade Components

Grading Scale

A: 90 - 100

B: 80 – 89

C: 70 – 79

D: 60 – 69

F: < 60

Where can I find my grades? 

Grades will be posted in Blackboard. 

What will we do in this class? 

Exams: There will be four exams, each of which will count equally towards your grade. They will be given in a proctored setting during class time.  Final exam is not comprehensive.

Quizzes: You will be expected to complete take-home quizzes that will include questions over several sections we covered in class.  The purpose of these assignments is to assess your understanding of the material and to provide you feedback on your use of mathematical language and notation BEFORE you take an Exam. The questions on the quizzes are the same format as the exams.

Projects: There will be 2 projects. 

Homework: You will be expected to complete online homework in this course.  Your experience with MyLab Stat will depend on the effort you put into it.  Because how you are thinking about the mathematics is just as important as getting the “right answer,” there are several questions in MyLab Stat that model the language we expect to see on your written work.  Rather than focusing on getting the "right answer", you will get the most benefit from your MyLab Stat HW if you pay careful attention to the language used in the fill-in-the-blanks and multiple-choice items so you know how to explain processes and justify answers on your take-home quizzes and exams.

MyLab Stat is very helpful because it provides help features on each question in a homework assignment.  The Question Help drop-down menu provides a variety of help options, such as examples and videos. There is in-person help if you need it– visit your instructor during office hours or go to the learning lab for tutoring.  

Group work/Participation: You are going to interact with each other quite a bit and talk to each other about math. There will be group activities every day in class.  You are expected to be an active participant and contribute to the discussion of the problems on the group activities.  Though you will be working with other students, everyone will record the work on their own paper.  These will be your notes you will use to complete homework assignments, so you need to ask questions and make sure you understand the ideas in the activity.  

I know that some of you do not like to talk in class and others of you like to talk a lot. So, we will follow a couple of easy rules. We give everyone a chance to talk. We respond to whatever anyone says with respect. We are concerned here about concepts that will help you succeed in your college-level math courses and ultimately achieve your academic goals. You are all in the same boat; I expect that students in this class will support each other and be respectful when working together.

To grade participation, your attendance, participation, group work notes will be assessed. Your group work notes will be checked during each of the four tests. The grade for participation will be based on the completion of your notes.

What happens if I miss something? 

Dropped Grade Policy: Even if you are absent, you are expected to turn in all assignments on time.  To account for the occasional week when other “life” things come up, the following will be dropped from your average at the end of the semester:

• 1 quiz grade
• 1 participation assignment
• 1 MyLab Stat homework

Late Work Policy: Any MyLab Stat homework completed late will be subject to a 10% grade penalty.  The last day that I will accept late MyLab Stat homework is on the last day that our class meets.

Late Project Policy:  Email me within 24 hours of the project due date to discuss the possibility of an extension.  There’s no guarantee that an extension can be given, but please email me to discuss.  

Missed Exam Policy: Email me within 24 hours of a missed exam to discuss the possibility of a make-up exam. There’s no guarantee that you can make up an exam, but please email me to discuss.  

Attendance: Attendance is required in this course.  Being more than 10 minutes late will count as an absence. Leaving more than 10 minutes early, even with prior notification, will count as an absence. Students who miss 3 or more classes may be withdrawn without warning. TSI-mandated students who have excessive absences will be withdrawn.

In the event the college or campus closes due to unforeseen circumstances (for example, severe weather or other emergency), the student is responsible for communicating with their professor during the closure and completing any assignments or other activities designated by their professor as a result of class sessions being missed. 

Class Participation Expectations: You are expected to come to class on time and participate in class activities and discussions.  

Course Description

Credit Hours: 2, Contact Hours: 2

NCBM 0222 – Math Thinking Foundations (2-2-0). This course prepares students to take MATD 0485 Developing Mathematical Thinking in the same semester. This course is not for college-level credit.  

NCBM 0222 Course Objectives/Student Learning Outcomes

1. Provide an opportunity to increase/improve quantitative literacy.
2. Provide an opportunity to communicate mathematical ideas in a small group setting.
3. Provide just-in-time review of prerequisite topics.