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Volunteer State Community College

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    Distance Learning at Volunteer State
 

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DSPM 0850

Intermediate 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?

 

The tuition for this course is the same as a traditional class.

 

Does this course count the same as a regular course?

Yes, this is a three credit hour course.

 

Does this course transfer?

This is a developmental course to prepare you for college level mathematics.  This course will not transfer as a college class.  It will transfer as a developmental course.

How can I contact my professor?

This course is managed by WebCt.  Communication should always take place inside WebCT using email.  If WebCt is down, you may use the following information to reach me:

Rita Sowell

Volunteer State Community College

1480 Nashville Pike

Gallatin, TN  37066

Office Phone - 615 230-3291

Fax - 615 230-3292

email address - rita.sowell@volstate.edu

How is this course taught without meetings?

Inside WebCt you will find text based lecture notes for each section.  Sometimes there are more than one set of notes for you to go through for each section.  Steps are given and several examples are given in each set of notes.  In some topics, power point presentations are available.

After you have gone through the notes and worked each example, it will be time for you to do your homework.  Homework assignments are submitted through webct.  After you have completed the entire assignment, you will be asked to enter in four answers from the assignment.

There are online quizzes and online practice quizzes.

There are six tests and a cumulative final exam.  Test 3 is a cumulative midterm.  Test 3 and the Final Exam are taken at Volunteer State in a proctored environment in the College At Home area on the second

The material for this class starts with Test 2.  Test 1 covers material from Elementary Algebra.  You are allowed to take Test 1 three times.  You are also given a longer period to complete Test 1. 

 

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

 

You must come to campus to take Test 3 and the Final Exam.

How do I access the course content and materials?

All materials are available through WebCT.

What are the computer requirements?

Hardware 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. 

 

Software Requirements:
Microsoft Word

 

 

How do I get started?

On the first day of class, go to www.volstate.edu and click on WebCT.

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

If you have any technical problems, contact me first.  If I cannot help you I will direct you the Computer Help Desk at 230-3302.

How is attendance taken in a distance course?

Deadlines are given for homework assignments, quizzes and tests.  You should log into the course at the minimum 5 days a week to check for emails and discussion postings.

What is expected of me in this course?

Go through each set of lectures

Do the homework assignments

Submit homework and quizzes by the deadline given.

If you have questions, please contact me.  I can answer questions through email, I can meet you online in the chatroom or in my office.

Where do I find my assignments?

Once you have logged into WebCt, from the menu on the left, click on assignments.

How do I know when assignments are due?

The assignment sheet lists the lesson number, section from the book and the problems to be completed.  It also gives the deadline for the assignment.

Homework, Quiz and Test deadlines are also listed on the WebCT calendar.

How do I communicate with other students?

Inside WebCt, students can communicate through email or the discussion board.  I encourage students to post homework questions on the discussion board and classmates to help each other.

How do I submit my assignments?

Homework assignment and quizzes are submitted through WebCT.

How do I take a test?

Test 3 and the Final exam are taken at Vol State.  Test 1, 2,4,5 and 6 are taken online inside WebCt.

Can I finish the course early?

Yes, you can.  But I do not encourage this.  I believe it is best for the all the students to be working on the same material and the same time.

How do I find my grades?

All grades are listed in WebCt.

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

Orientation  |  Resources  |  Research