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Welcome to MATH 1130 College Algebra

Familiarize yourself with these requirements in order to maximize your opportunity for success in your distance learning course. After you review the course orientation, you can begin working with your distance learning course content on the first day of classes.

Click on any of the questions below:

Does this course cost the same as a regular course?
Does this course count the same as a regular course?
Does this course transfer?
How can I contact my professor?
How is this course taught without meetings?
Do I have to come to campus to complete this course?
How do I access the course content and materials?
What are the computer requirements?
How do I get started?
What do I do if I need assistance with technology or the course?
How is attendance taken in a distance course?
What is expected of me in this course?
Where do I find my assignments?
How do I know when assignments are due?
How do I communicate with other students?
How do I submit my assignments?
How do I take a test?
Can I finish the course early?
How do I find my grades?

Does this course cost the same as a regular course?

The tuition is the same for the web based course as a traditional college algebra class. Students with financial aid questions should call the Financial Aid Office.

Does this course count the same as a regular course?

The answer is yes.

Does this course transfer?

Yes, but you may wish to check the catalog for the school that you are transferring to, as with any other course.

How can I contact my professor?

Directions:
This is a WebCT based course and all communication will take place inside WebCT. If for some reason WebCT is down, you can contact me at the following:

Rita Sowell - Office phone number 615-230-3291

Vol State Email: rita.sowell@volstate.edu

Mailing Address: Volunteer State Community College, 1480 Nashville Pike, Gallatin, TN 37066

Make sure you put Attn: Rita Sowell if mailing me something

How is this course taught without meetings?

The first requirement of the course, is to go through an online orientation specifically for College Alegebra. This help you understand how the course works. All lectures notes are found inside WebCT and are organized by test number. This means you would click on Test 1 material to view information for test 1.

Do I have to come to campus to complete this course?

No. All homework, quizzes and tests are online.

How do I access the course content and materials?

Directions:
Once your log into WebCt. Click on your MATH 1130, click on Course Content, click on Test 1 Material and you will find your lecture notes. These will be organized by assignment number.

What are the computer requirements?

PC users…

	A minimum computer system that will help you access all the tools in the courses is a Pentium 166 or better
	64 Megabytes of RAM or better
	Windows 98 (or higher if possible)
	A modem (56k minimum; Cable or DSL will give you best performance)
	And a dependable internet service provider (ISP). Any provider will do as long as you get an email account, have access to the World Wide Web, and don’t have serious problems connecting.

For Mac users…

	Minimum system requirements for Mac users are a 604 PowerPC processor Preferably a G3 (iMac are included) or G4 processor computer running Mac OS 9.x or above.
	Your Macintosh should have a minimum or 64 MB RAM, preferably 128 with at least 25 MB assigned to your browser. If you need assistance in adjusting memory please refer to your Apple Help file searching under the header Memory - Adjusting your memory usage. It is advised that you not have multiple applications open while working in your browser within the Online Degree Program . This requires more RAM and will cause the browser to run very slowly.
	A modem (56k minimum; Cable or DSL will give you best performance)
	And a dependable internet service provider (ISP). Any provider will do as long as you get an email account, have access to the World Wide Web, and don’t have serious problems connecting or maintaining a connection.

Remember! The above specifications are minimal, and you'll get by with them, but more sophisticated systems are better.

Browser Recommendations

Netscape 4.76, 6.2.1, 6.2.2, and 6.2.3 (PC & Mac)

Internet Explorer 5.0 to 6.0, except 5.5 Service Pack 1 (PC)

Internet Explorer 5.0 and 5.1 (Mac OS 9.x)

Internet Explorer 5.1 (Mac OS 10.1)

AOL 7.0 (PC & Mac)

JavaScript must be enabled.
Cookies must be enabled.
Java must be enabled in courses which use the Whiteboard and/or Chat tools.

WebCT maintains a browser tune-up page with complete directions on making your browser work well with WebCT.

General Software Recommendations

	Microsoft Word

How do I get started?

What do I do if I need assistance with technology or the course?

Call me or email me first. If I cannot help you we will go elsewhere for help.

How is attendance taken in a distance course?

Participation is required for the class. There is not a particular time you have to log in. But there will be discussion postings to answers and also online office hours for you to come to if you have questions.

What is expected of me in this course?

Directions:
Go through the lecture notes for given for each assignment. Take notes like you would if you were in course. Re-work all examples given. Do the homework assignment, submit answers for the homework. You will be prompted for which answers to enter in. Turn homework in on time, do quizzes and tests by the deadline. Make sure you rework any missed homework problems or quiz problems before you take the test.

Where do I find my assignments?

Log into WebCt and click on the Assignment link found on the Navigation Menu (left hand side of screen).

How do I know when assignments are due?

The deadlines are given on the assignment sheet and also the calendar. To find the calendar click on the calendar link found on the homepage.

How do I communicate with other students?

You can email each other inside WebCt, meet in the chatroom or ask questions on the discussion board.

How do I submit my assignments?

After you complete an assignment, click on Homework/Quiz/Test, find the assignment you want to submit and click on it. Have your completed homework in front of you. You will be prompted to enter in five answers from your homework assignment.

How do I take a test?

Tests are online. Set aside two hours when you will not be disturbed. Click on Homework/Quiz/Test, find the test you want to take and click on it.

Can I finish the course early?

Yes

How do I find my grades?

Click on Homework/Quiz/Test from the Navigation Menu

Scroll down to find the Homework/Quiz/Test you are interested in and click on View
Scores

Look for column heading, "Attempts", look for the column heading "Number" and click on
the number 1.

Student Pages | Classes & Schedules | Faculty Pages | RODP | Contents

Orientation | Resources | Research