Veterans Upward Bound Mathematics Course Design
Veteran’s Upward Bound Mathematics
Purpose
This course is designed to be a remedial level mathematics review geared towards building basic study skills and independent learning while encouraging adult learners to pursue their goal of pursuing post-secondary education. This is a free, non-credit class offered to qualifying military veterans who, after taking a practice placement examination, do not qualify for post-secondary mathematics classes above the remedial level.
Objectives
Learners who complete this course and take the placement examination, will qualify for post-secondary mathematics classes above the remedial level.
Assessment
Pre and post tests will be delivered for the overall course to show any improvement on learners overall mathematical knowledge. Individual quizzes and homework assignments will be used to gauge mastery of individual lesson topics.
Strategies
This will be an instructor-led course following these steps:
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Independent Study – Learner driven study, multiple media options are available to deliver written instructions as well as audio and video demonstrations.
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Explanation – Instructor driven delivery method offering reinforcement of independent study.
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Demonstration – Learner driven examples worked out on the white-board.
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Practice – In-class practice worksheets, encouraging students to interact and help each other, also allowing additional time for questions as well as any one-on-one instruction as necessary.
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Reinforcement – Going back over the practice work as a group ensuring that each student feels comfortable with their new learned skill.
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Assessment – Take-home assignment to reinforce the new skill. Graded quizzes delivered at beginning of next class to measure each student’s mastery of the new skill. Intention behind quizzes is not to pass or fail students, but to measure who needs additional instruction.
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Feedback – continuous feedback will be implemented throughout each step focusing on positive reinforcement.
Media
Multiple technologies will be utilized throughout this course:
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White board and dry erase markers
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Paper worksheets for in-class and take-home practice
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Paper quizzes
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Math.com
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Webmath.com
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Khanacademy.com
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Additional printed resources as necessary
http://www.math.com/school/subject1/lessons/S1U1L5GL.html (math.com)
Example Class
Multiplying Decimals
Purpose
This class will familiarize learners with the principles of multiplying decimals.
Objectives
Learners who complete this class will be able to explain and demonstrate how to multiply numbers containing decimals.
Assessment
There will be a take-home practice assignment that will be used to assess each learner’s ability to implement independent study skills and reinforce their learning. A quiz will be given at the beginning of the following class to assess their mastery of the skills taught in the previous lesson.
Strategies
This will be an instructor-led class following these steps:
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Independent Study – Students will be assigned to visit math.com and complete steps 1-4 of multiplying decimals prior to arriving at class.
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Explanation – The instructor will begin the class by going over the principles of how to multiply decimals utilizing the white board.
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Demonstration – Using examples on the white board, the instructor will complete the problem allowing the students to guide what steps to take.
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Practice – In-class printed worksheets are utilized to allow each student to demonstrate and practice this new skill. Questions are encouraged and additional instruction can be delivered as needed.
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Reinforcement – As a class, the in-class practice will be gone over, questions are encouraged. This allows the instructor to measure the class’s understanding as a whole and to revisit any important concepts.
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Assessment
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A take-home practice worksheet will be assigned. The instructor will collect the take-home assignment each class to ensure the students are completing the self-study skills.
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A graded quiz will be delivered at the beginning on the following class to measure the learner’s mastery of multiplying decimals. Previous class content will also be included on these quizzes to keep the material fresh in the learner’s minds. The intention of the quizzes is not to pass or fail students, but is used to determine in any learner requires additional instruction.
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Feedback – continuous feedback will be implemented throughout each step.
Media specific to this class
Independent study address: http://www.math.com/school/subject1/lessons/S1U1L5GL.html