Seeking an easier path for my math requirement

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by unixman, Jul 25, 2004.

Loading...
  1. unixman

    unixman New Member

    For my BSBA at TESC, I need to take a "pre-calculus" course, that covers both college algebra and trigonometry. Looking for the easiest possible path here. I haven't done this sort of math in 15 years ...

    I can take the CLEP College Algebra/Trig exam, but dunno how I would fare. TESC offers a course in "Pre-Calculus for Business", which would probably work - I am torn between these two options right now. Yes, I have math anxiety.

    Anyone know of any distance courses for credit that can be done lickity split and without homicidal tendencies?

    :)
     
  2. unixman

    unixman New Member

    I also wanted to add that I wouldn't mind the reading and the assignments part of such a course - but having a gun to my head on a timed math exam freaks me out (lol).

    I wish DANTES had an equivalent exam to the CLEP College Algebra & Trig exam, but sadly, they do not. As DANTES exams are not timed, that would be ideal for me.

    Cheers.
     
  3. rnfjr6950

    rnfjr6950 New Member

    TESC Pre-Calculus Course

    I was in the same spot your in a year ago!

    I was enrolled at TESC in the BSBA Accounting program and needed to pass two courses to graduate. Pass the pre-calculus for business and the capstone business stategy courses and I'd be finished.

    I hadn't taken a college algebra course since 1983 and never taken analit geometry or trig. I was scared to death. To get through this I started to take an algebra course at a local Community College, but after three classes I met with the professor, discussed my motivation and need to pass the TESC course. She suggested that I could save time and pass the course by engaging her as a tutor. I met with her twice a week for an hour and a half session. We covered examples of the home work and test prep. It cost me an extra $650, but the added confidence paid off. I passed the course with a high "C".

    The 16 videos were the most boring I have ever endured, but I had a great instructor at TESC. Professor Joesph Vocaturo was very effective at communicating what was needed to pass the course and his homework comments clairified my missed problems.

    I still have my notes and books from the course. If you do take the course, be sure to buy the student's solution manual. My copy got quite a work out.

    Good luck, and perhaps I'll see you at graduation. I passed the capstone course in April 2004, but because of delays, was not certified for graduation in time for the October 2004 ceremony. So, if I want to graduate off the stage, I'll have to wait till October 2005. Bummer!:rolleyes:
     
  4. Mary A

    Mary A Member

    Hi - University of North Carolina used to offer this course in a self-paced format - I don't know if they still do. Same with University of Wisconsin. I would check community colleges as this used to be and I suspect still is a high enrollment course for the exact same reason you are wanting to take it! Did try searching on correspondence pre-calculus course?

    Good luck!
     
  5. unixman

    unixman New Member

    Well, I can take the TESC Pre-Calc course, which is conducted via distance learning, but I am more interested in knowing if anyone has found a particular school who's final exam is, shall we say, more "forgiving", or easier to take. :)

    As it stands right now, I am prepping myself via some math software and a few books. As a last resort, if I get stuck, I am calling these guys:

    http://www.tech-tutors.com

    These folks are all GA Tech grads (mostly engineering, it would seem) that do tutoring for test prep, etc. If you are in Atlanta, give them a call or drop them an email. They quoted me $50 an hour (travel is on their dime), which is worth it if you need prepping for that one course or test.

    Hopefully, if I can get myself back to where I was in high school with this stuff, I can suffer through the course without spilling blood. :)

    Cheers.
     
  6. unixman

    unixman New Member

    I just found an unbelievable resource for prepping for Algebra through Calculus (even has a bit of statistics in there for good measure). Check this out:

    http://www.math911.com

    This is a downloadable program, free to use (although I would recommend registering this fine piece of software - $29.95).

    This is a fantastic program, written by a long time professor of mathematics. It is hard to describe, but basically it is a visual solver for nearly any sort of problem you will come up against, even word problems! Tracks your progress, and has varying skill levels.

    TRUST ME - take some time and install this thing - big download, but worth it. Try working through some of the problems, and use the "see solution - show next steps" option to watch the professor walk you through it.

    His feature list (from his web site):

    • Topics from Arithmetic through PreCalculus
    • New!! Introductory Statistics (in development)
    • Unlimited amount of different problems
    • All problems are randomly generated
    • Contains no multiple choice questions
    • Gives step by step solutions to wrong answers
    • All types of word problems
    • Graphing lines using the mouse
    • Freeform entry of answers
    • Natural entry of exponents and fractions
    • Extensive grade reports
    • Can be used with any text, or none at all
    • For all ages, middle school through college
    • Great for SAT, ACT, GED, CLEP, and other exams to test out of remedial courses
    • Refresher for math courses taken years ago
    • Develops self-esteem and builds confidence
    • Study where you want, at home or at the office
    • A must for home-schoolers
    • For adults returning to school
    • Your review before that next course
    • Saves money spent on costly tutors
    • Study when you want

    I spent about an hour last night going through several sections, and believe it or not, it is starting to come back to me now. :)

    Cheers.
     
  7. unixman

    unixman New Member

    Just a note: if you install this product on a Windows sytem, and get an error about "comctl32.ocx", go to this page, and follow the manual install instructions for the comctl32.ocx module:

    http://www.imagedig.com/page6.html

    Just installed it on my laptop, and oddly enough, I'm having fun!
     
  8. Ultimale

    Ultimale New Member

    You 'da MAN! I wish I had this when i was prepping for my math! Great find!
     
  9. james_lankford

    james_lankford New Member

    this one seems the best

    MATH 111 — Trigonometry
    http://ce.byu.edu/is/site/catalog/description.dhtm?subject=42&course=MATH111Trigonometry

    MAT 130Y Applied Algebra & Trigonometry
    http://web.sunybroome.edu/~online/coursedescriptions.html#MAT130

    MATH 120: Trigonometry
    https://www.secure.dsu.edu/ees/springUndergradCourses.asp

    MATH 106 Basic Algebra and Trigonometry
    page 65
    http://www.erau.edu/ec/catalog/ec_catalog.pdf

    MA 1323 Trigonometry
    http://www.ce.msstate.edu/is/offline_courses.html

    MA 1323 Trigonometry Available on the World Wide Web
    http://www.ce.msstate.edu/is/online_courses.html

    MATH 1715A - College Algebra and Trigonometry
    http://uedb2.ue.okstate.edu/ics/cinfo.asp?area=MATH&number=1715A
     
  10. nosborne48

    nosborne48 Well-Known Member

    I wish there was a way for students to "get through" the anxiety around math. I often wonder where it comes from in the first place? Nasty junior high teachers? Elementary teachers using counting blocks as devices for corporal punishment?

    The fact is, math at the level you are worried about can actually be FUN. I mean it! Do you like puzzles or games of chance? Do you think logically? Are you curious about the world around you? Believe me, once you start to see how the world describes itself in math, it stops being dry and becomes wonderful. AND beautiful!
     
  11. lloyddobbler

    lloyddobbler New Member

    Some people just aren't math-minded I guess. I remember the exact day that my math anxiety kicked in... it was back in 1977 in either 2nd or 3rd grade when the teacher said it was time to move on from my beloved 2+4=6 to 3/6 + 2/3... yeah, easy now, but my 7 year old mind nearly imploded :)

    Luckily when my math grades really started hurting me a few years later my parents got a tutor at my junior high school to tutor me and he was great and I was a A/B math student all the way through high school (although unfortunately I didn't push myself to try calculus then like I should have).

    To this day if I have a good teacher or tutor and enough time to actually work at learning it then I can learn math just fine, but it always has and will take a bit of extra effort for me and people like me. ...and when I'm sitting in a classroom and just not getting what the teacher is saying/doing and some other students are picking it up right away, the old anxiety kicks right back in.

     
  12. unixman

    unixman New Member

    I don't have anxiety about math itself - given enough time, I can solve any problem.

    I just don't like being timed on math exams.
     
  13. james_lankford

    james_lankford New Member

  14. unixman

    unixman New Member

    Interesting! I will take a look.

    It won't satisfy my particular requirement directly, which has to be "College Algebra and Trig" together - but I do see that they offer a similar course on College Algebra - taking both courses would do the trick ...
     
  15. nosborne48

    nosborne48 Well-Known Member

    There is one thing about math around which one cannot get...the student MUST work dozens if not hundreds of problems in order to learn the techniques. Math is NOT a spectator sport!
     
  16. unixman

    unixman New Member

    I'm struggling to understand the motive of posting this. By taking a course, or using the software I mentioned above, the student *would* be working through scores of problems ... ?

    But yes, I agree ... :)
     
  17. nosborne48

    nosborne48 Well-Known Member

    It didn't mean anything...just a depressing observation. Sometimes I think "math anxiety" comes from not having intuitive understanding and therefore being afraid of failure. Sort of like how lots of people feel about dancing or making music. That's all.

    I never met a classical musician that didn't practice a lot. I never met a mathematician that didn't struggle to learn some part of his science.

    I dunno. Right now I am having to rediscover study habits of long ago in order to get through a mass of conflicting, densely worded material. I'm just depressed, I guess.
     
  18. spmoran

    spmoran Member

Share This Page