FAQs for Students
This Page IS UNDER DEVELOPMENT as of the Start Date for Fall 2021. It contains a collection of “Frequently Asked Questions” (FAQ’s) previously submitted by students of my Developmental Mathematics courses. It is intended as a quick reference by my F2F and online students of LSCS Montgomery College Developmental Mathematics courses. This FAQs will be updated continually to reflect Summer II 2020 session. If you don’t find what you are looking for, Send Email to Instructor
Q: Where can I get more information about the course prior to the course start date?
A: Course information will be available in this Blog Posts and Pages, your Desire2Learn course, and in your MyLabsPlus course on your Math course scheduled Star Date. Very early on before course information for the coming session is available, students may access the syllabi and schedules of my previous courses by selecting a particular session from the list of syllabi in this Blog. Although there may be some differences, students can get a general idea of what to expect.
Q: I am new to Montgomery College, Developmental Mathematics, and I don’t have a clue how to get started. Will I be informed what to do before the course start date?
A:Until you have access to your D2L (Desire2Learn) course and your MyLabsPlus courses on the first day of class, this Blog provides as much course information as available prior to the course start date (in particular the course textbook and online package requirement information is provided). You can expect that the Course Syllabus, the Course Schedule of assignments, and “Handouts” for your course will be available in this Blog shortly prior to the course Start Date. “Getting Started” information for new and returning students is provided in the Course Syllabus. Course documents will be available in this Blog, in your Desire2Learn (D2L) course, and in your MyLabsPlus course on the course start date.
Q: Where and when will I have access to the Course Syllabus for my course?
A:The Course Syllabus will posted in this Blog, your MyLabsPlus course, your D2L course, and in My Lone Star very shortly prior to the start of the semester. To get a general idea about your course, the Course Syllabus from my previous courses may be viewed any time by searching for instructor “Caruso” in the Lone Store College website search field.
Q: Are all Developmental Mathematics F2F courses held at the Montgomery College campus on the second floor of “Building F”?
A: Most always, but depending on the availability of “Building F” class rooms, F2F courses may be held at the “University Center” building located on the Montgomery College campus.
Q: Will I be using D2L (Desire2Learn) for lessons, emails, and grades?
A: Your D2L course will contain only preliminary information and important course documents. D2L should not be used for emails. NO developmental mathematics course lessons will be done in D2L. All graded homework, exam reviews, exams and the final will be done online in MyLabsPlus, and your grades will be posted in the MyLabsPlus Gradebook. There will be NO graded assignments which attribute to 100% of your Overall Course Grade, outside of MyLabsPlus. Instructors may have student engagement policies or assignments for Overall Course Grade Extra Credit posted externally from D2L and/or MyLabsPlus.
Q: Is a textbook or are test books required for LSC Montgomery Developmental Mathematics courses (Math 0306, Math 0308 and Math 0310)?
A: A single custom LSC Montgomery online textbook (Beginning and Intermediate Algebra – Lial / Hornsby / McGinnis) is required and used for Montgomery and Conroe Center developmental mathematics in-class and online courses. The online textbook and online workbook are purchased only at the Lone Star Montgomery College bookstore only as a package which includes the Pearson online “MyLabsPlus” computer application access code for product registration. Select chapters of the three-ring format online textbook and workbook are assigned for Math 0308 and Math 0310 in-class and online courses. The workbook may be used in class activities and assignments at the instructor discretion. The online workbook may be printed or a paper version is available at the Montgomery for a reasonable price.
Q: Is a laptop or tablet required or recommended for LSC Montgomery Developmental Mathematics courses (Math 0306, Math 0308 and Math 0310)?
A: Electronic devices such as audio recorders/players, computers, tablets and telephones are NOT required for the course, and are may NOT be used in the classroom for non-course related activities. Computers, tablets, and telephones, and headsets MAY be used in class ONLY upon instructor approval for assigned classroom related activities. For online homework assignments, students may use general availability campus computers in any of the Building F Homework Labs, or any of the general availability LSCS Testing Center computers, or their properly configured personal computer, tablet or device with internet access (MyLabsPlus may be accessed from PC, Mac, OS and Android devices).
Q: Do I need to purchase a graphing calculator or anything else for any of the Developmental Mathematics courses (Math 0306, Math 0308 and Math 0310)?
A: A graphing calculator is NOT required and may NOT be used for taking tests and the final exam. Only 4-function calculators with a square root function may be used for taking tests. Computers in the F215 Test Lab contain such a calculator on the computer screen. Online students should check with their course instructor and preferred LSCS Testing Center for the availability of the approved calculator.
F2F students must present a Bluebook for each of the two test attempts, (one for each of any two part test attempts) for all course exams and the final exam. Bluebooks may be purchased from the Montgomery bookstores or at off-campus supply stores. Note that Lone Star Collgeg bookstores may not be open on Saturday when the Testing Lab may be open.
Q: Can I use an older Montgomery College or another LSCS College textbook for my course? Can I purchase only the “MyLabsPlus” software on the internet?
A: The Montgomery College course online Textbook/MyLabsPlus and workbook are available only as a total package at the Montgomery College bookstore, the Conroe Center bookstore (the bookstore accepts telephone credit card orders). Other software packages or separate software versions will NOT work for the Montgomery College Developmental Math courses (0306, 0308, and 0310).
Q: What if I am unable to purchase the online textbook MyLabsPlus package by the course start date?
A: All course assignments must be completed using your MyLabsPlus course which is only available through purchase of the online textbook/workbook package. However, there is no reason that you cannot register and enroll in your MyLabsPlus course on the first day of class. You may use the “Temporary Access Code” provided by Pearson for a period of a number of days from the course start date. Instructions for registering and enrolling are included in the Course Syllabus.
Q: How and where do I take course lessons, exams and the final?
A: Course lessons are taken 100% online. However all course exams and the final are proctored. All course lessons are taken using the Pearson, “MyLabsPlus” online course management system. No course lessons are taken in D2L. All homework and exam reviews may be taken on any properly configured student personal computer or on any LSCS campus computer which is configured for “MyLabsPlus”. F2F students take their exams during class scheduled times in the Mathematics Dept. Math Lab during the course scheduled dates posted on the Course Schedule on Lab Day hours of operation of the Montgomery College Math Department MathLab, Room F 215. Online students take their exams during the Hours of Operation at any LSCS campus location Testing Center of their choice, or at an out-of-area instructor approved Testing Center.
Q: How many times can I take an exam, and what if I miss taking an exam or two by their due date?
A: You will be allowed to retake an exam a second time up to the due date. The better score will be used. Missed exams will be scored as a zero score, and neither the exam nor the retake exam can be taken after the due date unless there are student extenuating circumstances approved by the instructor. If one exam is missed, it is mathematically possible, with very high scores for all other assignments, to pass the course. If two exams are missed, it is very unlikely to achieve an overall passing grade for the course.
Q: What if I have worked and written the correct answer on my Bluebook, but entered an incorrect answer in MyLabsPlus?
A: Students must present a blank Bluebook (F2F students) or scratch paper (online students) for each of the two test attempts. On your second exam attempt only, you must show your Bluebook or scratch paper to the Lab proctor, and note the error your Bluebook or scratch paper. You must return each Bluebook (F2F) or scratch paper (online students) to the Lab Proctor prior to leaving the room. All F2F student Bluebooks are filed for return to your instructor. Online students must request that the Lab Proctor return their scratch paper for instructor review. Your instructor will review your Bluebook or scratch paper, and make a decision whether or not to approve a problem(s) correction. The Bluebook or scratch paper must show a step by step logical progression which clearly demonstrates a conclusion of the unaltered correct answer.
Q: Will I be dropped from the course if I miss exams or miss F2F classes, or dated assignments?
A: It is the Math Department and my goal that you are successful in this course. If you are having difficulty that might impact your ability to complete the course, it is vital that you contact me to discuss your options. If you feel that you need to withdraw from the course after speaking with me, it is your responsibility to do so before the final date to withdraw. Your Overall Course Score will be impacted for missed exams or missed classes. You may be dropped from the course for having missed in excess of 6 scheduled days. Visit the Course Syllabus for additional information.
Q:When can I take my exams? Do I take my exams during class time for F2F courses? Can I work ahead of the schedule?
A: All Chapter Exams and the Final Exam are proctored. F2F course exams must be taken in the Montgomery College Math Department Math Lab in room F215. Online course exams must be taken at any area LSCS campus Testing Center, or in an instructor approved out-of-area Testing Center. You may take your exams upon their being made “Available” in MyLabsPlus, and you have met the homework and exam review prerequisites . F2F students may take their exams as specific scheduled dates and times in Building F, room F215 . Online students may take their exams as scheduled at any time during the LSCS Testing Center operating hours. You must arrive according to the Lab operating requirements in order to be permitted to take your exams. All LSCS Testing Centers and Math Testing Lab provide the necessary secure course access information. Unless pre-approved by your instructor, F2F students who miss a Math Lab day, will be marked absent. Requests for extension of test due dates will not be granted unless there are extenuating family circumstances, or a Mathematics Department policy revision.
Q: What will I need to show the testing lab proctor to be able to take my exams?
A: Students will need to show a photo ID (such as an LSCS Student ID or a Driver’s License) to the testing lab proctor in order to get access to exams which do not have expired due dates. Students in F2F courses must present a blank Bluebook for each exam. Online students may present a blank Bluebook or blank scratch paper. Students must follow the posted testing lab procedures. Only the 4-function calculators with a square root function on the Lab PC may be used in the testing lab (the Math Lab, room F215 PC’s are fitted with a valid calculator). Students should check with their instructor for any additional testing restrictions.
Q: Why do I need a Blue Book for each exam I attempt?
A: F2F students use a Blue Book to work problems during exams. All F2F student exam blue books are returned to your instructor for filing and review as needed. The Blue Book is an exam document, and it is not returned to the student. The Lab Proctor will inspect your Blue Book prior to authorizing you to take each exam attempt, and you must return your Blue Book to the Lab Proctor prior to leaving the Math Lab. Blue Books are easy to manage for filing and retrieval by the Lab Proctor and your instructor, and they are preferred over scratch paper. Blue Books are used to validate exceptions for possible exam grade change for MyLabsPlus entry errors on second attempt exams, and may be used by instructors for student requests to review their exam. Students must complete Blue Book cover page information.
Q: Do I have to take the MyLabsPlus Practice Tests, and do they count toward my Overall Course Grade?
A: Practice tests are offered as additional test preparation for students. Practice tests are not proctored, and they are taken outside of the Math Lab or Testing Centers. Although the expectation is that your performance will be improved by taking practice tests, they are not a requirement and do not account for determining your Overall Course Grade.
Q: Are there generally available free online resources available for learning and practicing like course content?
A: Yes, there are many free resources available for each of the course specific lessons. Check out Khan Academy that offers free sign in and access, and IXL that offers free guest use for a maximum of 20 problems per day for course specific content .
Q: How can I determine my course Overall Average at any time during the course?
A: The MyLabsPlus Gradebook Overall Average tab will display your to-date overall course average based on pre-assigned grading weights as defined in the Course Syllabus and the to-date scheduled and submitted assignments. Past due assignments not submitted will be scored as a zero shortly after each test to accurately reflect your course average for all to-date assignments. Note that your displlayed MyLabsPlus Overall Score is determined by all scored homework, reviews, and tests whether or not they are done before or after there due date. Also, past due assignments are automatically set to zero the day following the most recent scheduled test.
Q: How can I project my course Overall Average at any time during the course?
A: The Grade Planner may be used to project an estimated overall course numerical and letter grades. A “Grade Planner” tab appears on the MyLabsPlus left-side Navigation Panel. Upon opening the Grade Planner file, enter all fields for actual and projected numerical grades to view your approximate projected resulting overall course average and letter grade.
Q: How is my course letter grade determined?
A: Course letter grades (A, B, C, IP, F, I, W) are determined by assigned score ranges of your course Overall Average and by certain requirements and restrictions stated in the Course Syllabus. An Overall Average of below 70% reflects that the student has not met the passing requirements of the course. A course letter grade (F, IP, W) is assigned based on requirements and restrictions stated in the Course Syllabus.
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