Lillian Seese responds to a Montage article
After reading the Sept. 29, 2011 issue of the Montage, the Meramec Mathematics Department would like to offer the following:
A college degree from a state school in Missouri requires a course with a significant amount of college algebra material in it. The state of Missouri defines what this means. In order for your college algebra class to transfer, we follow the state guidelines rigorously.
We would love to design and offer a college algebra level class that has more “relevant real-life” math, but transfer issues have made this a very difficult undertaking. College students need to understand that reaching this level of mathematical maturity means that, as Kavahn Mansouri, Montage Editor-in-Chief, says, “…it all comes down to putting in the work.” As he correctly says, “College is about working hard to get a proper education.”
As was stated in the Montage, more and more students come to Meramec unprepared for college level math courses. Students who place below College Algebra need to spend a good deal of time acquiring the pre-requisite math knowledge and skills needed to proceed to classes that will transfer. The following advice may be helpful.
How to Pass Your Math Class – Be sure you are taking the appropriate class:
• Some students may not be in the correct math course because they barely met the minimum qualification through the placement test or they transferred from a school where the math curriculum may not match that of STLCC.
• If you are really struggling in your math course, move to a lower level math course to re-enforce your prerequisite skills.
Decide which delivery method is best for you. Students in developmental classes (MTH:020 and 030) have two choices:
• Computer delivered instruction in a lab with multiple instructors available to help you.
• A traditional classroom lecture section for students who prefer to not work on a computer.
Master basic arithmetic operations before starting an algebra class:
• National studies show that to be prepared to learn algebra it is important to understand the basics of pre-algebra (usually taught in middle school) without depending on calculators.
• The math department requires 80% mastery in MTH:020 (Pre-algebra) without the use of calculators. MTH:020 is the only Meramec math course that requires 80% mastery and has a “no calculator” policy.
Be an active learner:
• Come to class on time and be prepared to work.
• When you are in class, don’t let your mind wander – stay focused.
• Take notes and ask questions.
• Put your cell phone away – no texting.
• While doing your homework, self-assess to be sure you really understand the material.
• If necessary, do more practice problems than are assigned.
Reach out to your teacher and/or the math tutors:
• If you need more individual help than you can get during your class meetings, see your teacher during office hours. Faculty members have office hours so that students can get extra help.
• The Math Department provides free tutoring in SW 211, CN 102 and at the South County campus. We provide math tutoring as early as 7 a.m. and as late as 9 p.m. depending on the tutoring center you choose.
• Remember that for a three credit hour class students need to spend at least six hours a week studying and practicing math outside of class.
We hope you do well in your math class this semester, and urge you to visit your math teacher and/or a math tutor if you need help!
-Lillian Seese, tutors and staff of the math department
