Getting Started Check List

Last Update: Jan. 13, 2010

Day 1
  1. Please look over the Course Information pages first. You will find them on the home page in the syllabus or by clicking here.
  2. After or while looking over these pages you can then take the Orientation Quiz which is considered your first activity. This quiz can be found in the Introductory Materials folder. Click here for a copy of the questions so you can begin finding the answers before you open the quiz or even when you are not in Angel. Most of the answers can be found in the Course Infomation pages. The majority of the answers will be in our section syllabus. A few answers are just common sense. If you don't get a perfect score on your first attempt, please try again. Click here for a video that demos the easiest way to submit all quizzes in this course. Using the method of this video, will save you lots of time since you don't have to redo the whole quiz if you make a mistake!
  3. If you will be taking your tests somewhere other than the main campus (you must live more than 60 miles away to do this), please make your proctoring arrangements right away. Check out the Assessment Center's website for how to set up a proctor.
  4. Consider getting a tutor. Most students who have struggled with math in the past, struggle a lot with this course. Many students who have never struggled before, find that this is their first difficult math class. Free tutoring by weekly appointment is available at Tutorial Services, but sign up early, they often run out of tutors.
  5. Use your favorite drawing program to create a small image with your name or nickname written in it. Alternately, you can make a hand drawn image and scan it. You can use a small photo if you wish, but edit it, to add your name or nickname to it. Either way, please make sure your image is no larger than 600 by 600 pixels. Save the image to post it on the discussion board after you get into the course.
  6. Optional: Set up your Course Compass access. Information on how to do that for this class is located here: http://laurashears.info/math122/courseinfo/CourseCompass.htm
Day 2
  1. Select a cartoon character from the Wiki that is set up to do so. Just find a character where above the image it says: 'not claimed yet', edit it and replace the 'not claimed yet' with your name. Please do not edit out anyone else's name.
  2. Next, fill out the essential information survey which gives me important information that I need to know.
  3. Look over the instructions on how to use the equation editor in Angel and on how to insert an image.
  4. Next introduce yourself on the discussion board, insert your image that you made in day 1, and use the equation editor. See the discussion board instructions for specific requirements to get full credit.
  5. Using regular math notation is not always possible in the online environment, thus often times we need one-line notation. Please take a look at the documents on One-Line Notation.
Day 3
  1. Oftentimes, I have found that by the time I meet a student in person, they have taught themselves the wrong way to pronounce things and it is a hard habit to break. Please review the Pronunciation Guide to avoid these bad habits.
  2. Do the One-Line Notation activity and pronunciation activity in Angel to check your skills. These are simple multiple choice and matching problems, so you can repeat this and easily get a perfect score.
  3. I like to teach this course using the Unit Circle Approach, but I have given you the option to learn it with either method (unit circle or right triangle). I must warn you that most of my explanations will be based on the unit circle. I have rewritten most of chapter 6 of your textbook to go along with my way of teaching. You will probably want to download and possibly print the Rearranged Text to go along with this approach. Whichever approach you choose, by the time you get to the unit 1 test, you should be proficient with both right triangles and the unit circle. All the assignments will be the same, but the order in which they are assigned will be different depending on the approach. You can find a copy of the Rearranged Text in both Course Compass and in our Angel site.
  4. After getting all of this introductory stuff out of the way, go on to the Unit One Materials folder, so you can get started with learning the math. Good luck, and please don't be shy about posting questions on the discussion boards.

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