@article{05813e9392e948da98297895b1cac519,
title = "All for the success of college algebra",
abstract = "An extensive support system placed at Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) for the success of students taking College Algebra course is quintessential, since this is the first mathematics course taken by those who were admitted or plan to seek admission to TAMIU. Additional focus has been given as this course is taken by the majority of students to meet the core mathematics requirement in the state of Texas. Apart from sections being taught by experienced faculty, the University Learning Center (ULC) provides walk-in tutoring for students, and each section has been assigned a supplemental instruction leader who provides additional sessions beyond the classroom teaching, on a weekly basis. The ALEKS software provides an online homework system. Furthermore, a marathon review session is planned for the final exam, an opportunity geared towards procrastinators. This paper elaborates on the extent of the involvement required for the success of this course.",
author = "Rohitha Goonatilake and Nguyen, {Teresa N.} and Bachnak, {Rafic A.} and Miguel, {Miguel San} and Garza, {Aida C.}",
note = "Funding Information: Table 1 depicts how these efforts have made this investment worthwhile since Fall 2010. Empty cells mean that there were no students enrolled in the categories. Diversity of these offerings has been extended to local high schools thanks to most part from the state of Texas House bill for HB-1 dual credit Initiative enacted in 2006 providing students to earn the equivalent of up to 12 hours of college credit while in their high school. There were instances, where high school students signed in for TAMIU sections to earn concurrence credits. Accordingly, offering of courses has extended to two nearby school districts, United Independent School District (UISD) (two high schools) and Laredo Independent School District (LISD) (one high school) in Spring 2011 and Spring 2012, respectively. Students in these ISDs have been provided supporting instruction (plan) during the days when classes meet, with their in-house school teachers along while they are enrolled in college courses. Early College High School (ECHS), a collaboration of between TAMIU and LISD that began in 2006, admits those high school freshmen who will later enroll in core courses offered by TAMIU as university freshmen. The success of this visionary program was imagined and funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Early College High School provides the dual-enrollment in College Algebra for students at their appropriate levels to meet mathematics core requirement in the curriculum. Funding Information: There are several factors to be credited for these accomplishments beyond excellent instructions provided by TAMIU faculty. The University Learning Center (ULC) provides walk-in tutorials and is open for tutoring 11 hours 4 days a week, 7 hours on Thursday and 4 hours on Sunday. Each of the courses has been assigned with a SI (Supplemental Instruction) leader who attends the classes weekly and provides follow-up sessions with supplemental instruction and reviews for exams and homework assistance. ALEKS software became part of instructional materials for students provided assessment tools, and unlimited hours of problem solving experience. In addition, before every final exam, a marathon review session is held usually from 3:00 pm to 8:30 pm covering a set of 60-80 review questions. This Fall the number of students attending this review session reached about 288. A Virtual Teaching Assistant System (ViTAS) is on the other hand, a web based homework grading system provides students, an interactive learning environment outside the class [12]. Using ViTAS, students are able to submit homework online, engage in anonymous homework peer review process and discussion with their peers. Some instructors that taught college algebra courses have been provided with the opportunity of using ViTAS for their students starting back in Summer 2011. This is a Minority Science and Engineering Improvement Program (MSEIP) Project funded by US Department of Education. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2012 City University of New York. All rights reserved.",
year = "2013",
language = "English (US)",
volume = "6",
pages = "21--31",
journal = "Mathematics Teaching-Research Journal",
issn = "2573-4377",
publisher = "City University of New York",
number = "1-2",
}