This posting provides details on how the online math system work. Note, this NOT a traditional self-paced course. Rather it is a mastery learning or competency based course designed to be completed in one term. However, it can be completed sooner. This depends on a number of factors including your beginning level of math skills, motivation, learning rate, and how much time you can actually devote to learning math. Plan on spending at least 15 to 20 hours per week on the course to complete it in a four month term.

Once you have registered for the course at the college, proceed to the online classroom at http://mathxl.com. Once you have completed the website registration, contact your instructor for the enrollment code for his classroom instructor. When you have followed these steps and have logged into the classroom, click on the Homework and Tests button on the left of the screen. You will see links to all your assignments and their due dates. Seventy-five per cent (75%) is required to demonstrate mastery and move on to the next assignment. For each unit, work through the following steps:

1. Complete the pre-test. This is NOT a formal test so please take your time with it. You may exit out of the pre-test at any time by clicking on the X button on the top right of the screen. As long as you do NOT hit the Submit button, you can return to where you left off later. To the right of each question, you will find a series of resources to help you understand and complete each question. The pre-test is a tool to help you figure out what needs to be ‘fixed’. Use all the resources at your disposal to master each question. Once you have mastered all the questions on the pre-test, submit the quiz for grading. The system will grade it for you immediately. You can review it by clicking on the Results button on the left and then choosing the Review hyperlink. This will let you know what topics you need more review. Based on your pre-test results, the system will assign exercises you need to practice to fully master this unit. You will find these assignments under the Study Plan button on the left of the screen. The assigned exercises are the ones with the pencil icon beside them. To see just the assigned exercises, click on the Show What I Need to Study link.
2. When you have completed all the assigned Study Plan exercises, verify you have mastered the concepts by completing the post-test assignment. If you have scored less than the mastery level of 75% on the pre-test AND you have completed the assigned Study Plan exercises, contact your instructor who will open up the post-test. NOTE: You will not see any resources beside the post-test without any help. However, you may exit out of the test and return to it later, as long as you do not hit the Submit button. When you have completed the post-test, submit it for grading. You will then have access to the help resources. Repeat the Study Plan process outlined above.
3. With the post-test and subsequent Review and Study Plan completed, move on to the formal unit test. The unit test must be completed in ONE SITTING. You will not be allowed to close down the test and return to it later. While the unit tests are designed to be completed in an hour or less, you will have a maximum of two hours. They will also be done without reference to your text or other resources. NOTE: The unit test must be completed from a wired rather than wireless or wi-fi connection to ensure you can complete the test without interruption. If you score less than 75%, you will rewrite the unit test. Only two attempts are allowed, so be sure to complete the newly (re-)assigned Study Plan exercises. Contact your instructor when you have done that and are ready to re-write the unit test.

You will want to work well ahead of the schedule to complete in one term. If you missed a due date for a Study Plan assignment, you will be awarded a zero grade for that assignment. A 10% penalty may apply to pre, post and unit test late assignments. It is important to allow yourself lots of time for each assignment to ensure a score of 75% or higher. That way you can move on through the course without impediment and perhaps even complete more than one course per term. From Math 034 through 073, as soon as you complete one course I can move you on right away to the next level.