Spring Semester         2010

Welcome to
Online Elementary Algebra !

Math BA 

Starting date:   January 19, 2009      Ending date:   May 15, 2009 

I'll be your professor for this class. Feel free to visit my homepage: Rafael Espericueta, wherein you'll find my schedule.

You may contact me via email at: mathprof@pacbell.net

Be sure to read over the course syllabus carefully!     Spring 2010 Syllabus

Getting started

Learning math is much like learning to play a musical instrument, or learning to speak a foreign language.  Just like these other pursuits, learning math requires quite a lot of your time, and (seemingly) endless practice.  The only way to learn algebra is to DO algebra problems, and to do LOTS of them!!!   And there are lots of them for you to do in this class.   When you purchase the course you'll have access to the course and all the problem sets.   All homework is graded, and you may redo the homework to raise your grade.  There are no specific deadlines, but you must complete all the online coursework and take the final exam prior to the end-date of the course.   I highly recommend you stay ahead of the course calendar in the syllabus, so that you will be sure to finish the course on time.

Accessing the Course Website

There is no printed textbook associated with this online course and you do not need to visit the bookstore. Instead, you will purchase access to the required Web-based course material which you will use in an online course management system called Blackboard.   

Follow the steps below to access this material.  (You'll need your Bakersfield College student number, from the Office of Admissions & Records.)

1. First you need to purchase your access code ($69.95).  Follow the directions at   http://www.CoDcourses.com/students/Bb_BApin.html .

2. An email containing your course access code will be sent to you as soon as the purchase has been approved.  You'll need this access code later, keep it in a safe place!

3. AFTER you have your access code, try logging on at  http://coursesites.blackboard.com .   For your username, use your 2 initials followed by the last 6 digits of your

 student number (issued to you by Bakersfield College).

For example, if your name is Toshiro Hernandez and your student number is 00123456,
then your username would be TH123456.

 Your password will be the word, student  (you may change that if you wish, in the course website). 

 

IMPORTANT:  If you can't log on to BlackBoard with the above username and password, please create your own BlackBoard account.   Then email me your chosen username so I can link it to the course.  Then you'll see a link to the course when you log on to BlackBoard.    (DO NOT create a course, just set up an account)

 

 If you have any trouble with this, please email me  .

4. A link to the Beginning Algebra course should be visible when you log on to http://coursesites.blackboard.com .   When you attempt to access course materials, you'll be prompted for the access code you received via email after purchasing the course (step #3 above).   You'll only need to enter this access code this first time.

5. Read the announcements in the Beginning Algebra course, which will be visible when you enter the course website.

Please contact me with any questions or problems.

General Comments

Your success in this class depends upon you setting aside regular time each day to study, being motivated to study on your own, and having self-discipline.

THE EMAIL ADDRESS you entered when you updated your enrollment form (or filled out an application) is the one I use to send occasional email to the class, so if you haven't entered a currently valid email address, you may miss receiving important announcements about the class.  Make sure that Bakersfield College has your current email address. 

ALWAYS sign your full name in emails.

ALWAYS specify Math A (or "Elementary Algebra") and the semester in which you're enrolled in the subject line of emails.

ALWAYS ensure continuity in emails.  This means that you should include any message from me in the body of your email when you reply.  Certain providers, like AOL don't automatically have this facility.  You should then cut and paste my message into your response so that I know what we are talking about!

Please don't put my name onto your general email lists. I have enough email to deal with, without receiving any more virus alert warnings and funnies!

Be sure to ask questions if you ever get stuck on any of the course material. There is no such thing as a "dumb" question.  

I look forward to having you on-board this class, and will do everything I can to help you succeed in mastering algebra.  

Bon Voyage!

Rafael