Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Course Materials

The textbook is an OER (see link above). A hardcopy is NOT required. If you want one, it can be purchased from the PCC bookstore. The book is periodically updated (do not purchase or print until close to the start of the term).

The Required Course Packet is required. This document has problems students will work on during the quarter starting the first day of class. This can be purchased at the Sylvania bookstore or students can print it from a link that will be provided in D2L.

We will use MyOpenMath for online homework -- it is free. Information about creating an account will be given the first week of class.

Class Structure

This course is "flipped." This means that the lecture by the instructor in a "non-flipped" class will be done for homework --- specifically, you will watch videos and complete a "class prep" assignment that is due at the start of class. The harder problems that are done as homework in a "non-flipped" class will be done in class where you have the guidance and help of classmates and the instructor.

Rationale for "flipping" the class:

1. Deeper Learning: Research on how humans learn shows that learning is strengthened when we engage with others. Unfortunately, learning math has been often been a very solitary experience for most people. This does work well for some, but not most.
2. High on List of Employer's Top Wants: Employers list "teamwork" as one of their top needs for employees. This is a skill to be developed. Working successfully with others in a team requires a deep awareness of self, knowledge about differences with others (which can be individual and culturally based), and the ability to manage frustration appropriately -- and as well as coming prepared to engage with others.

Students will need to have computer and internet access at least several times per week.

Students will need the following downloads and skills:

• Use a the toolbar in MyOpenMath to enter fractions, exponents, etc.
• A PDF reader (such as Adobe Acrobat Reader)
• Familiarity with file management, email, and uploading documents.
• Ability save documents to pdf format and upload to D2L. Options to create pdf documents: scanner, PCC copiers at the Library that can scan documents, phone apps that save as pdf (suggestions will be given).
• Use Google spreadsheets (instruction provided) which is free through your MyPCC account.