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Math My Way:A new approach to teaching pre-algebra.
Rachel Mudge
Sarah Delos SantosFoothill College Mathematics Department
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What is Math My Way? The Creation of MMW
Program Overview Preliminary Results
Next Steps
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The Creation of
Math My Way
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What led to MMW? An increase in basic skills students
A decrease in preparation levels
Our frustration with success rates
Foothill Campus Research
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Ouch! Tens of thousands of students are falling through
the cracks - we can debate the reasons why, claimthat students
arent as prepared as they used to be,etc - the bottom line,
however, is they still come to
our doors Good news?!? These numbers are very consistent
across campuses, which means that these aresystemic issues - not
the fault of individualcampuses, departments, or faculty
members.
-Rob Johnstone
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Success Rates & Prior Course Grade
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%60%
70%
80%
90%
Intro.Algebra
Inter.Algebra
CollegeLevel
Course
percentage
pa
ssing A in prior course
B in prior course
C in prior course
no prior course - 1stattempt
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What were we trying to fix?
Pacing
Mastery Success rates
Persistence through the
sequence.
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Math My Way
Program Overview(program started Fall 06)
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What do the students learn? Whole numbers
Fractions
Decimals Real Numbers
Equations and
Expressions I
Equations andExpressions II
Ratio and Proportion Percentages
Basic Geometry
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What happens in the
classroom? Mini-lectures (10 -20minutes)
Computer Drills (using
ALEKS*) Textbook Assignments
Review Worksheets
Students work alone
and in groups
*Software coupled with a custom McGraw-Hilltext
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How do the students gain
mastery? All written work must be satisfactorily completed
100% complete
100% correct
Correct use of mathematical notation
All computer drills must be completed
All module work is completed before taking an
exam 87% is required to pass the module A D exams
84% is required to pass the module E I exams
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Why do the students do it? Strict attendance policy
Strict classroom rules
They dont feel left behind
They see progress (retention rates are 90%+)
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What makes it a program
and not a regular course? 150 students, 5 classrooms, and
instructors.
Students are reassigned every 2-3 weeks
Students dont restart each quarter Faculty members meet
weekly
Faculty members share grading
Faculty members share outsideresponsibilities
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Preliminary Results
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What have we learned about
the students? Most students can master Arithmetic Concepts
Students are content to move slowly
Many students lack of self-awarenessimpedes their progress
Many students need to develop basic life skills
Accuracy is very difficult to learn Rewards work better than we
imagined
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Persistence* through the Math
Sequence by Preparation
0
1020
3040
5060
70
8090
100
Introductory
Algebra
Intermediate
Algebra
College Level
Traditional Pre-Algebra (n=373)
Math My Way(n=204)
Math My Way 3quarters (n=163)
*Percentage of students completing Pre-Algebra who enroll in
subsequent courses.
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Success rates and A/B grades
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Pre-Algebra Intro. Algebra
Success (Trad.)
Success (MMW)
Success(MMW3)
A/B Grades (Trad.)
A/B Grades (MMW)
A/B Grade (MMW3)
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Success rates and A/B grades
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
Inter. Algebra College Level
Success (Trad.)
Success (MMW)
Success (MMW3)
A/B Grades (Trad.)
A/B Grades (MMW)
A/B GradesMMW3
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Next Steps
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How has this influenced the
Foothill Math Sequence? Elementary Algebra Modifications (Fall
08)
Curriculum redesign
More contact hours
Online support for students and instructors
Combined Elementary and Intermediate Course
Statway is the next course currently finishing
its first year.
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Thank You!
[email protected]
[email protected]
