Orientation Part III_b: Checking DVDs

 Select the following option (you have only one choice):

Submitting Assignment: Orientation Part III b--Checking DVD's

Your course (e.g., Mth 151, Mth 173, Phy 121, Phy 232, etc. ):

If you have one, please provide your access code.  You may leave this part blank if you do not yet have an access code. 

If you have not already made the request, you need to immediately return to the menu heading "Part 1:  Establishing Communication" (you are currently on Part 3:  Startup and Orientation) and follow the simple instructions for submitting your request.  You should also complete the rest of Part 1.

Remember that it is crucial to enter your access code correctly.  As instructed, you need to copy the access code from another document rather than typing it.

Access Code
Confirm Access Code

Your Name:

Your VCCS email address.  This is the address you were instructed in Step 1 to obtain.  If you were not able to obtain that address, indicate this below.

Copy the document below into your word processor or text editor.  Complete each task, and respond as indicated:

Task 001.  Math XL is the package that accompanies the textbook.  It is strongly recommended but not required.  If you do not intend to use Math XL you need not complete these questions, and may simply indicate in your response at the end of the form that you do not intend to use Math XL.

On the homepage for your course, go to the link entitled 'Course Materials'.  You will see headings entitled 'Materials List for Mth 158' and 'Math XL (optional package) ... etc.'  Just a little ways below those headings you will see 'To access the MathXL page, if you have your access code:', followed by instructions for registering.  The instructions include the course ID.

Follow those instructions and confirm that you have been able to access your course.

Your response (insert your response beginning in the next line; the next line is blank and doesn't include the #$... prompt):

#$&*  (Note that your response was to go into 'the next line'; your response will therefore be inserted before this line, not after.  This is obvious when you're looking at the form, but if you've copied the form into a text editor it might be less obvious.  Hence this note.)

There is a tab entitled 'Calendar'.  There is currently no plan to use the Calendar provided by Math XL.  Your Due Dates page is your calendar.

Click on the 'Homework' tab and very briefly describe what you see.

Your response (insert your response beginning in the next line; the next line is blank and doesn't include the #$... prompt):

#$&*  (Note that your response was to go into 'the next line'; your response will therefore be inserted before this line, not after.  This is obvious when you're looking at the form, but if you've copied the form into a text editor it might be less obvious.  Hence this note.)

Task 002.  What appears in Math XL as 'Homework and Tests' is not really homework, nor are any tests administered through Math XL.  Your work is assigned in your Assignments Table and your tests will be paper tests on which you construct handwritten solutions to problems.  Math XL is potentially very useful for you, but it is to be regarded as strictly a supplementary resource.  The Math XL system doesn't allow your instructor to relable these tabs, so we're stuck with a tab labeled 'Homework' and doesn't really indicate homework.  Please demonstrate your understanding of this important point by restating this in your own words.

Your response (insert your response beginning in the next line; the next line is blank and doesn't include the #$... prompt):

#$&*  (Note that your response was to go into 'the next line'; your response will therefore be inserted before this line, not after.  This is obvious when you're looking at the form, but if you've copied the form into a text editor it might be less obvious.  Hence this note.)

Task 003.  Under the 'Homework and Tests' tab you will see the 'Trial Media Assignment'.   You will see the statement 'You must view all media files listed below to receive credit'.  While Math XL will provide your instructor with a record of your activity, there is no credit associated with this or any other assignment in Math XL, any more than credit for attending a regular class.  Math XL is used in this course strictly for your support.  However the media files are instructional files, and it is anticipated that just as students rely on class attendance for the resulting benefits, most students will to a greater or lesser extent rely on media files and other Math XL resources for verbal/visual explanations of the material.

In your own words explain the potential role of Math XL in the class.

Your response (insert your response beginning in the next line; the next line is blank and doesn't include the #$... prompt):

#$&*  (Note that your response was to go into 'the next line'; your response will therefore be inserted before this line, not after.  This is obvious when you're looking at the form, but if you've copied the form into a text editor it might be less obvious.  Hence this note.)

Task 004.  Click on the link entitled 'Trial Media Assignment' and play at least three or four randomly selected files, including at least one video and one powerpoint. 

Describe what you see.

Your response (insert your response beginning in the next line; the next line is blank and doesn't include the #$... prompt):

#$&*  (Note that your response was to go into 'the next line'; your response will therefore be inserted before this line, not after.  This is obvious when you're looking at the form, but if you've copied the form into a text editor it might be less obvious.  Hence this note.)

Task 005.  Click again on the 'Homework and Tests' tab.  Directly below the 'Trial Media Assignment' is an Orientation to Math XL.  You don't need to complete that Orientation right now but before you begin using Math XL to support your regular assignments you will want to complete the Math XL Orientation.

Please state this in your own words.

Your response (insert your response beginning in the next line; the next line is blank and doesn't include the #$... prompt):

#$&*  (Note that your response was to go into 'the next line'; your response will therefore be inserted before this line, not after.  This is obvious when you're looking at the form, but if you've copied the form into a text editor it might be less obvious.  Hence this note.)

Task 006.  Now under the 'Homework and Tests' tab click on the link to Section R.1.  You will see a list of homework problems which parallels the problems in your text.  You will be able to use these problems, in the interactive format of Math XL, to help you understand things you might have difficulty with when solving the problems in the text.  However it is expected that to complete your homework you will construct actual solutions to the assigned text problems on paper.  It is a fundamental premise of this course that mathematics, at the level of this course, is to be constructed on paper, not imitated by filling in blanks on a computer program.  However it can be useful to fill in some blanks in preparation for constructing written solutions.  So while these exercises do not constitute the ultimate process of working out and solving problems, they can be beneficial in developing concepts and procedures that make it possible to construct solutions.

Please state this in your own words.

Your response (insert your response beginning in the next line; the next line is blank and doesn't include the #$... prompt):

#$&*  (Note that your response was to go into 'the next line'; your response will therefore be inserted before this line, not after.  This is obvious when you're looking at the form, but if you've copied the form into a text editor it might be less obvious.  Hence this note.)

Task 007.  Click on a sampling of about half a dozen problems.  You might not know how to correctly use the system (you are of course welcome to complete the Math XL Orientation at any point), but you should still be able to get an idea how these problems work.

Please describe what you have seen, how you think it might be useful and what some of the limits of this system might be.

Your response (insert your response beginning in the next line; the next line is blank and doesn't include the #$... prompt):

#$&*  (Note that your response was to go into 'the next line'; your response will therefore be inserted before this line, not after.  This is obvious when you're looking at the form, but if you've copied the form into a text editor it might be less obvious.  Hence this note.)

Task 008.  Once more, under the 'Homework and Tests' tab, you will see a series of pre- and post-tests, which you can use to assess your preliminary knowledge (using the pre-test) and your knowledge at the end of the chapter. These 'tests' are limited in that they do not ask you to construct solutions, unlike the tests you will actually take for the course.

It is recommended, but not required, that you complete the Chapter R pre-test.  Whether you complete it or not, you should go through a few of the problems to become further acquainted with the system.  Click on Chapter R pre-test.  You will see a link to a short tutorial on 'how to enter your answers'.  You may choose either to go through that tutorial or skip it, but if you are going to use the system you will want to eventually go through that tutorial.  Either way, go into the pre-test and work a few problems.  There are about 40 problems on the pre-test, so you aren't expected to take the time right now to work more than a few.  Your results will be shown on the system, but your instructor will know that this is part of your Initial Activities and the inevitable low score won't reflect on the instructor's opinion of your work.

Please describe what you have seen and how (and whether) you think it might be useful to you.

Your response (insert your response beginning in the next line; the next line is blank and doesn't include the #$... prompt):

#$&*  (Note that your response was to go into 'the next line'; your response will therefore be inserted before this line, not after.  This is obvious when you're looking at the form, but if you've copied the form into a text editor it might be less obvious.  Hence this note.)

Task 009.  Following the pre- and post-tests is a series of apparent assignments on each covered section of the text. Again these are here for your use, should you find them helpful, but they are not actually assigned.

There are aspects of this site the instructor is not particularly enthusiastic about (e.g., do you really have to see the word 'Fantastic' when you get a problem right? Isn't this more appropriate to elementary school?), but most of it is well constructed.  If it helps you achieve course goals then your instructor will be pleased with the site. The instructor is enthusiastic about the textbook, which is excellent, as is the actual set of problems.

It is suggested that you continue to investigate what is available at this site and use it as you deem appropriate.

Actual course assignments are on the homepage for your course, to which you have been introduced during the Initial Activities.

Please include any additional comments you might have below:

Your response (insert your response beginning in the next line; the next line is blank and doesn't include the #$... prompt):

#$&*  (Note that your response was to go into 'the next line'; your response will therefore be inserted before this line, not after.  This is obvious when you're looking at the form, but if you've copied the form into a text editor it might be less obvious.  Hence this note.)

Now highlight and copy your document, paste your copy into the box below. 

Double-check to be sure you have accurately filled in the information at the beginning of this form.

Then click on Submit Form. 

It is suggested that you save a copy of your document as a backup.