Welcome to NCBM 0222/MATD 0485 –

Developing Mathematical Thinking with Foundations

Fall 2024 Syllabus

the Basics

About Your Instructor           

Name: Marylou Insisiengmay

The best way to reach me is: Email

Phone number:  (512) 256 - 0257

Email: marylou.insisiengmay@austincc.edu

Office location (and/or link if appropriate): In-person: SAC 1321 ; Virtual: Office Hour Link on Blackboard

Office hours: In-person Location: Monday & Wednesday from 1:00pm – 2:00pm 

Virtual (Office Hours Link on Blackboard): Monday – Thursday from 8:10pm – 8:45pm

To schedule a conference outside of office hours: Please email me to schedule an appointment.

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: 91341/91799                     Section: 008/023

Meeting location: SAC 1312              Meeting times: Mondays and Wednesdays from 2:15pm – 5:05pm

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

Supplemental Materials:  scientific calculator

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 – 89.9

C: 70 – 79.9

D: 60 – 69.9

F: < 59.9

Where can I find my grades?

Grades will be posted in Blackboard.

What will we do in this class?

Exams (67%): There will be four exams given in a proctored setting during class time or in the Testing Center. 

Quizzes (15%): 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 will be helpful in preparing for the exams.

Showing work is very important in the quizzes to get full points.

Homework (10%): You will be expected to complete homework problems for each section in the course. 

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.

You may need to use the help features in MyLab Stat or read the textbook to learn the concepts better. There is also a multimedia library you can search for additional help if you need it. Also, don’t forget in-person help – visit your instructor during office hours or go to the learning lab for tutoring.

Even if you are absent, you are expected to turn in all assignments on time. Due dates are shown in “MyLab Course” and “Course Calendar/ Due Dates”.

Group work/Participation (8%): 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.

You may earn points towards participation by attending class (for the whole session time) with active participation; submitting Participation Quizzes; AND Notebook Checks.

Participation can be earned via:

1. Attending Class (for the whole session time) and participating in class and group work for a Class Session (that is not an Exam Day) (5 points each).
   1. You will receive points for being in class and being an active participant in class and group work.
   2. You will start off with full points for the day, but will lose points if you:
      1. Are late to class, leave for part of class, or leave class early.
      2. Are not participating in class and group work.
      3. Not present for class.
      4. You are on your phone/devices for non-class related activities.
   3. There will be 25 “Class days” that are not “Exam days”.
2. End of Class Participation Quizzes (5 points each)
   1. Around the end of the hour (during random times), students will be given a Participation Quiz to complete and turn-in before leaving class the same day.
   2. The quiz will be graded based on completion, correctness, and being turned in on the same day.
3. Unit Notebook Checks (25 points each).
   1. You will turn this into your instructor at every Unit Exam Day and will receive it back after completing your test.
   2. If you forget to bring your Notebook, then you will need to submit it to the HYS Mailroom to Professor Insisiengmay before the end of any Exam Day. The staff will stamp and date your Notebook and leave it in my Mailbox.
   3. No Late Notebooks will be allowed after the Unit Exam Day has passed.
   4. This will be graded for completion and correctness.
   5. There will be 4 Notebook Checks.

Maximum participation points will be 300 points for full Participation Grade credit. If you exceed the 300 points, then you earn yourself extra points towards your overall grade. (Note: You can make up to 350 points. This is to account for illnesses, emergencies, or missed days.)

What happens if I miss something?

Dropped Grade Policy:

Even if you are absent, you are expected to turn in all assignments on time.  One quiz grade and three My Lab HW grades will be dropped from your average to account for the occasional week when other “life” things come up. 

Late Work Policy:

THQ and Participation Quizzes will not be accepted late. MyLab Homework will allow for partial credit on unfinished problems.

Missed Exam Policy:

No make-up exams will be given. Any missed exams will result in a zero for that exam grade.

Attendance:

Attendance is required in this course.  Being more than 10 minutes late will count as an absence.  Cutting out early without prior notification 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 Content

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.  

Course Rationale

This is a fast-pace, intensive review for MATD 0485, which prepares students for Non STEM college-level math courses MATH 1332 (Contemporary Math) or MATH 1342 (Elementary Statistics).

Course Description

Credit Hours: 4, Contact Hours: 4

MATD 0485 – Developing Mathematical Thinking (4-4-0). A course designed to develop the skills, including reading and critical thinking, and the understanding needed for non-math, non-science majors who take MATH 1332 and MATH 1342. Topics include: linear models, data interpretations including graphs and tables, percentage models, order of operations, logic of arguments, and an introduction to other models which may include exponential, logarithmic, quadratic and/or rational models. This course is not for college level credit. Students who need to prepare for MATH 1314, MATH 1324, MATH 1414, etc. should not take this course, but instead should take MATD 0370.

Course Rationale

This is an alternative course to Elementary Algebra for students who are going on to one of these college-credit math courses: MATH 1332 (Contemporary Math) or MATH 1342 (Elementary Statistics). Students who are mandated to take Developmental Math by the TSI rules may satisfy the TSI requirement by completing this course with a grade of C or better. Students who pass this course are not ready for MATH 1314 (College Algebra), MATH 1414 (College Algebra for Precalculus), or MATH 1324, (Math for Business and Economics).  If your degree plan requires MATH 1314, MATH 1414, or MATH 1324, then you will need to complete both MATD 0370 followed by NCBM-paired with MATH 1314, MATH 1414, or MATH 1324 (lecture-based courses).

The Details

First Day Access: To enhance your learning experience and provide affordable access to the right course material, this course is part of an inclusive access model called First Day™. You can easily access the required materials for this course through Blackboard, at a discounted price, and benefit from single sign-on access.  Austin Community College includes the discounted price as a course fee in your registration fees for this course.

It is NOT recommended that you Opt Out, as these materials are required to complete the course. You can choose to Opt Out on the first day of class, but you will be responsible for purchasing your course materials at the full retail price and access to your materials may be suspended. See your course in Blackboard for details.

Importance of Completing Developmental Course Requirements:  The first steps to achieving any college academic goal are completing developmental course requirements and TSI requirements. The first priority for students who are required to take developmental courses must be the developmental courses. TSI rules state that students are allowed to take college credit courses, if they are fulfilling their developmental requirements. Because successful completion of developmental courses is so important, ACC will intervene with any student who is not successfully completing developmental requirements. This intervention can mean a hold on records, requiring developmental lab classes, working with the Instructional Associate, and monitoring during the semester.

Withdrawal Policy: It is the responsibility of each student to ensure that his or her name is removed from the roll should he or she decide to withdraw from the class. The instructor does, however, reserve the right to drop a student should he or she feel it is necessary. If a student decides to withdraw, he or she should also verify that the withdrawal is submitted before the Final Withdrawal Date. The student is also strongly encouraged to retain their copy of the withdrawal form for their records.

Students who enroll for the third or subsequent time in a course taken since Fall 2002 may be charged a higher tuition rate for that course.  State law permits students to withdraw from no more than six courses during their entire undergraduate career at Texas public colleges or universities. With certain exceptions, all course withdrawals automatically count towards this limit. Details regarding this policy can be found in the ACC college catalog.

Reinstatement Policy: Students who withdrew or were withdrawn will not be reinstated unless they have completed all coursework, projects, and exams necessary to place them at the same level of course completion as the rest of the class. Reinstatement is up to the instructor’s approval.

In-Progress Grade: A student who is regularly attending, doing all assigned work but is still not earning a grade of C or higher, might be eligible for the IP (in progress) grade. An IP is a neutral grade with respect to the student’s GPA (it is not counted), but it might be treated like a W (non-completion) for the purposes of financial aid. Students who receive an IP grade are expected to retake (register and pay for) the course in the next semester they are enrolled at ACC.  Students may not receive more than 2 IPs in this course (or in any given developmental course.)

Incomplete Grade Policy: Incomplete grades (I) will be given only in very rare circumstances. Generally, to receive a grade of "I", a student must be up to date on coursework and have a passing grade, and after the last date to withdraw, have a legitimate reason that prevents course completion. An incomplete grade cannot be carried beyond the established date in the following semester. The completion date is determined by the instructor but may not be later than the final deadline for withdrawal in the subsequent semester.

Communication with Your Instructor: All e-mail communication to students will be sent solely to the student’s ACCmail account or math software if applicable, with the expectation that such communications will be read in a timely fashion.  Likewise, students should use their ACCmail account or math software when communicating with instructors.  Instructors will respond to student emails within 3 business days, if no response has been received by the student at the end of that time, then the student should send a reminder to the instructor.

Name Change Information: If you want to change how your name appears online at ACC, go to https://www.austincc.edu/admissions/update-student-information/chosen-name.

General College Policies: Policies that apply to all courses at ACC can be found here: https://www.austincc.edu/offices/academic-outcomes-assessment/master-syllabi/college-policies.

Student Technology Support

Austin Community College provides free, secure drive-up WiFi to students and employees in the parking lots of all campus locations. WiFi can be accessed seven days a week, 7 am to 11 pm. Additional details are available at https://www.austincc.edu/sts.

Students who do not have the necessary technology to complete their ACC courses can request to borrow devices from Student Technology Services. Available devices include iPads, webcams, headsets, calculators, etc. Students must be registered for a credit course, Adult Education, or Continuing Education course to be eligible. For more information, including how to request a device, visit http://www.austincc.edu/sts.

Student Technology Services offers phone, live-chat, and email-based technical support for students and can provide support on topics such as password resets, accessing or using Blackboard, access to technology, etc. To view hours of operation and ways to request support, visit http://www.austincc.edu/sts.

Required Materials 

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

Statistics Textbook: Introductory Statistics: Exploring the World Through Data, 3rd Edition, by Gould, Ryan, & Wong. Pearson Publishing (with MyLab software) 

Additional Textbook:  Developing Mathematical Thinking.  This is a free textbook compiled by the math faculty at Austin Community College using various Open Educational Resources (OER).
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KHU1MneAXFuqIuRCv2QYBRW0o8aluB8m/view

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 for 70% Refund: September 16 (Monday)

Last day to withdraw: November 21 (Thursday)

Holidays: September 2 – Labor Day (Monday); November 11 – Veteran’s Day (Monday);

November 28-29 – Thanksgiving Holiday (Thursday-Friday) 

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

MATD 0485 Course Objectives/Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, a student should be able to:

1. Use formulas and/or order of operations to solve problems for a variety of models, such as temperature, regression, exponential, or finance models.
2. Explain and justify answers based on an understanding of mathematical properties and rules.
3. Estimate answers and evaluate the reasonableness of answers to application problems. 
4. Solve problems involving fractions, decimals, and percents, including percents based in two-way tables.
5. Apply fundamental probability/counting techniques to solve problems.
6. Convert between various units of measurement. 
7. Use patterns and diagrams to count objects in a set.
8. Analyze statistical studies.
9. Describe, graph, organize, and analyze quantitative and categorical data.  
10. Calculate and interpret measures of center and variation for statistical data.
11. Analyze relationships and make predictions with statistical data.
12. Identify and interpret linear and exponential patterns of change for multiple representations.

These course objectives illustrate that this course is not an algebra course as are most developmental mathematics courses. It is a course about thinking and using mathematics. There is some algebra in the course, but algebra is not the predominant topic or the focus of the course.

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.