Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

This class is very different from a traditional algebra class you might have previously taken in high-school or college (in a way that most students really like)!  This is a class about exploring and discovering the math of things we can all relate to.  It is my goal that there will never be a day where you will wonder “where am I going to ever use this?”  Everything we do is learning the math of real world situations!  Here is a video made by PCC’s Math Department to highlight how different this class compared to what you might be used to (unless you have taken MTH 58 where it is just like that):  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8YYaZshf1Y  

The Math Literacy courses were not created to be internet or online classes. So I feel the in- person (or in-class) course that is being taught is the most effective and fun way to take the class (and learn). The courses are designed to be a very student centered ‘hands on’ learning experience. A majority of the work is working in groups discovering the math (with guidance and support from me).

I love teaching this class because it is so fun to see student’s entire mindset about math change.  This is a class that seems to do a great job of exiting students who like math and create confidence and excitement from those students who entered the class not so sure or confident about math.  I love watching students change from ‘hoping to pass’ to being disappointed because they missed something on an exam.   You can do math and have fun!  Please give us the chance to prove it.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JC82Il2cjqA

I think part of the reason this happens and why I really love teaching this class is that it is so applied and interactive.  I never hear the “where are we going to use this?” question in class. Almost everything we do is a very real scenario and often student’s experiences and curiosity has us solving problems and making discoveries that are very real. This makes every term a little different, which keeps the class fun and fresh. While we learn some tools that are really useful in day to day life, we try to keep a focus on the process. We focus on learning how to identify a situation, figure out what we want out of it (what question are we trying to answer), break it down, and piece together a solution.  I try to minimize the amount of memorization and focus on figuring things out.  This is why I love being a mathematician. I get paid for puzzle solving!

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This class is the fastest (and I think most fun and interesting) path to some college level mathematics classes. This is the best (and fastest) path in preparing students for Statistics (MTH 243), Math for Teaching (MTH 211), or College Math in Society (MTH 105) which are the math classes needed for over 90% of the 4 year bachelor degrees students get (but not for degrees like engineering or science degrees)!  Be sure to check with an academic or program advisor of the institution you are planning on transferring to.

This class satisfies the math requirement for most of the degrees and certificates offered at PCC…but not all! Be sure to check with an academic or program advisor or department chair for the degree or certificate you are seeking. 

This is not the class for you if for your certificate, degree, or goals you need:

• Intermediate algebra (MTH 95),
• Precalculus (MTH 111 -112), or
• Calculus (MTH 241, MTH 251-255).

          If you need one of these courses, then you will need to take the algebra track of MTH 60, 65, 95. This course is not a prerequisite for those courses and is not a path to those courses.

If this class works for your goals, I look forward to being in the classroom with you, doing my best to show you just how cool math is!

MTH 98 is a continuation of MTH 58 for those that have or are taking MTH 58. 
MTH 98 is also a stand-alone course that satisfies the math requirement for many degrees or certificates at PCC.  It is also usually the best option for those going on to MTH 243 (Statistics), MTH 211 (Math for Teachers), or MTH 105 (Math in Society – math for liberal arts majors)

IMPORTANT: MTH 98 is not a path to Intermediate Algebra (MTH 95), Precalculus (MTH 111-112), or calculus (MTH 241, MTH 251-255).  For those courses, you need to be in the traditional algebra track (MTH 60, 65, 95). 
MTH 98 is the best track for Statistics, math for teachers, and to satisfy many degree requirements where only general credits in math are required.  MTH 58 is the best track to satisfy the vast majority of degrees offered at PCC.  (I think it is also way more fun and interesting than MTH 60, 65 or 95! ☺ )  This class is probably for you if you need MTH 105 (Math in Society), MTH 211-213 (math for teachers), MTH 243-244 (Statistics), or do not need a 100 level math class (such as for most of PCC degrees and certificates).
For more help on determining which course you should be in, see the bottom of the Instructor Comments ↓ and talk to an advisor.

If this is the course for you, then welcome!

To successfully complete this IN PERSON MTH 98 class you will need:

• The ability and willingness to come to our class on the Sylvania campus and participate in ALL the class sessions. This is a live, very interactive in-person course.   You will spend most of your time in class learning in small groups (with my help and guidance).  Because of this, it is very for you and the members of your group to be there every class. 
• The ability and willingness to learn and use various online math software (we will be using D2L, PCC email, ALEKS, Google Sheets, Google Docs, Google Drive, and Desmos). You do NOT have to already know how to use these…. or even what they are!  That is part of why you should take this class!  Learning is the whole point of being in school!  You do need to be willing to learn as you are in college and we are here to teach.   These are all web based so there should be nothing to install on your computer or tablet (or purchase other than the work book with ALKES access code).  As a PCC student, you already have all of these except ALEKS and Desmos.  Desmos is a free (and safe app) or webpage and you will access ALEKS with the purchase of the book from the PCC bookstore (See the next item ↓ )
• IF you have taken MTH 58 using ALEKS Purchased from PCC in the last two terms and still have the book, you do not need to buy anything. We will be continuing in the same book.   You will not need to buy anything (except pencils or erasable pens)
• If you have not taken MTH 58 then you will need to purchase a NEW workbook with the ALEKS access code: 'Pathways to Math Literacy' with ACCESS code (2nd Edition, Sobecki, Mercer) ISBN:  Click on the link in the ‘Course Materials’ box to the right and above.  You will need a new book for two reasons:  This book is a workbook that you'll write in and turn in (see last item).   You will also need an ALEKS access code.  This code is on a small piece of paper that comes in the new book.  DO NOT LOSE THE SMALL PIECE OF PAPER WITH THE ACCESS CODE that comes with your workbook!  The piece of paper is apparently very easy to lose and is basically the price of the book.   Normally I tell my students to find the best price they can, but you really need to purchase this book from the PCC bookstore.  The book for this class that PCC’s bookstore offers comes with 1 year of ALEKS access.  Most other sellers have no access or a shorter subscription time that may not be long enough.  If you do not have you book and access code for the first two weeks of class, I can supply a temporary access code and materials.   Contact me in advance and come to class and we will take care of you until you get your stuff!
• We will be scanning work and uploading it into our digital class page (in D2L). This sounds a lot more involved and complicated than it is.  If you have a smart phone, tablet, laptop with a camera, or a document scanner then you have all you need to do this and I will show you how.  This is becoming really common in classes so it will be useful to know.  If you have an iPhone or Android phone you already have the tools to do this as there are also scanning tools built into Apple iOS, Android operating systems, and Gmail accounts.  There are also free PDF creator’s apps such as Adobe Scan, CamScanner, or Genius Scan for a smart phone (or any tablet or computer with a camera).  Don’t let this scare you off, using these is probably easier than you think and I am here to teach!  Adobe Scan seems to be the most popular.  It may be because another math instructor at PCC made this nice video on Adobe Scan (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SylTLUA9ZSE).  This video walks you through from the app store, to installing, to using, and getting it to where you can upload and turn in your PDF homework.
• A printer is NOT required, but it is sure nice to have and can make a few things seem easier. A digital pen on a tablet or touch screen can also work.

If you do not have you book and access code for the first two weeks, I can supply a temporary access code and materials.   Contact me in advance and come to class and we will take care of you until you get your stuff!