The Algebra I course that will be delivered for this study was developed by Class.com and was selected because it is a high-quality online course. The Class.com content was originally developed by teams from the University of Nebraska, who were funded by a 1996 U.S. Department of Education Star Schools grant. Class.com was created to make these courses available on an ongoing basis and has been a self-sustaining business since 1999. Class.com is a privately-held small business that currently partners with more than 4,400 schools across the country. Class.com’s courses meet all the guidelines in the Southern Regional Education Board’s Essential Elements for Web-Based Courses for High School Students, which is widely used as the benchmark for quality assurance by states for online education.
Students who take the Virtual Algebra course as part of the study will take Class.com’s Algebra IA and Algebra IB during the school year in which they are participating. The sections below describe what they will learn in these two parts of the full course.
Course Description: In this course offered via the Web, students learn about algebraic concepts such as integers, linear equations, linear inequalities, and factoring. As students work through each interactive lesson, they will have the opportunity to complete several self-check activities, participate in newsgroup discussions, and complete journal entries. Basic computer skills are recommended.
- Develop the following fundamental algebraic skills:
- Simplify and evaluate expressions
- Manipulate polynomials
- Solve and graph linear functions
- Factor polynomials
- Apply algebraic problem solving strategies to real-world situations
- Use graphing technology to solve, interpret, analyze, compare linear functions, inequalities, and absolute value graphs
- Communicate mathematically by expressing ideas, analyzing situations, explaining procedures for correct computation, and describing results numerically and graphically
- Use the Internet to gain useful information
- Develop a sense of class membership, using newsgroups and e-mail to communicate with teacher and classmates
- Develop the following fundamental algebraic skills:
- Factoring polynomials
- Simplifying and evaluating expressions
- Solving equations
- Apply algebraic problem-solving strategies to real-world situations.
- Use graphing technology to interpret and solve equations and inequalities.
- Communicate mathematical ideas, analyze mathematics situations, explain procedures for correct computation, and describe results using graphical, numerical, or algebraic representations.
- Use the Internet to gain useful information.
- Develop a sense of class membership, using newsgroups and e-mail to communicate with teacher and classmates.
Number/Description of Projects, Exams, Activities, etc:
- 13 Quizzes - At the end of each lesson in the course, students will take a computer-graded quiz covering all the topics in that lesson. Students will have one chance to take each quiz (as opposed to the many practice opportunities provided throughout the course). Students’ grades will be automatically sent to your Grade Report.
- 5 Unit Tests - At the end of each unit in the course, students will take a computer-graded test covering all the lessons in that unit. Students will have one chance to take the test. Your grade will be automatically sent to the Grade Report.
- 1 Final Exam - At the end of the course, students will take a computer-graded final exam which covers all topics in the entire course. Students will have one chance to take the exam. Your grade will be automatically sent to your Grade Report.
- 3 Journal Assignments - At the end of each of the five units, students will be given an option for a journal assignment. Students must complete three of the five journal assignments offered throughout the course. Students' journal assignments will be submitted using the Digital Drop Box, and they will be graded by the online teacher. When the online teacher has graded students' assignments, student grades will be posted to the Grade Report.
- 6 Discussion Group Assignments - At the end of each of the five units, students will be given the topic for a Discussion Group assignment. There is an additional activity at the end of Unit 5 focusing on using the graphing calculator. Students are required to complete all of the Discussion Group assignments.
Materials: Graphing Calculator required
Credit Hours: 5 Credits - 1/2 Carnegie Unit
For an outline of this course, click here.
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Course Description: Algebra 1B is the second semester of a traditional middle/high school Algebra I course. In this course, offered via the Web, students continue their progression through algebraic concepts, expanding their knowledge of functions and relations, solving systems of equations and inequalities, simplifying rational and radical expressions, and solving quadratic equations. A unit on probability and statistics is also included helping students to analyze data and make predictions about real-world situations utilizing a variety of visual representations.
Each interactive lesson has self-check activities built into each topic, quizzes are provided at the end of each lesson, and tests are found at the end of each unit. The course framework is designed so that students need not necessarily start at the beginning, rather they may easily be placed within the course at their knowledge level. The Pre and Post Tests, within the course, aid in the placement of each student by assessing their individual skill mastery.
Students are exposed to the use of a graphing calculator to solve algebra problems. In addition, "Real World Connection" and "Geometry Infusion" problems are integrated throughout the course to help students apply their knowledge of algebra to real life situations and across curriculums. Reading and writing mathematics is incorporated throughout the course as students participate in discussion groups, complete journal activities, and explore mathematical websites.
The prerequisite for this course is the first half of an Algebra I course. Successful completion provides students with the foundation to continue their study of mathematics to Geometry.
- Unit 1-Linear Equations
- Functions and Relations
- Graphs and Linear Equations
- Introduction to Linear Equations
- Variation
- Unit 2-Graphing
- Solutions by Graphing
- Solving Systems of Equations
- Problem Solving
- Unit 3-Rational Expressions
- Working with Rational Expressions
- More Operations on Rational Expressions
- Unit 4-Radicals
- Rational and Irrational Numbers
- Radicals and Right Triangles
- Operations with Radicals
- Unit 5-Quadratics
- Quadratic Equations
- Quadratic Equations and Problem Solving
- Operations with Radicals
- Unit 6-Statistical Analysis
- Organizing Data
- Measures of Variability
- Probability
- Add, subtract, multiply and divide rational expressions
- Solve and graph linear functions
- Solve systems of equations and inequalities
- Perform operations with radicals
- Solve radical equations
- Solve quadratic equations
- Analyze and interpret data represented in various real-world situations
- Apply algebraic problem solving strategies to real-world situations
- Use graphing technology to solve, interpret, analyze, compare linear functions and relations, inequalities, absolute value graphs, and quadratics
- Communicate mathematically by expressing ideas, analyzing situations, explaining procedures for correct computation, and describing results numerically and graphically
- Use the internet to gain useful information
- Develop a sense of class membership, using newsgroups and e-mail to communicate with teacher and classmates
Number of Projects, Exams, Activities, etc.:
- 6 Discussion Group Activities - At the end of each of the six units, students must complete a discussion group activity. The student's choice whether or not to complete these activities affects his or her grade accordingly. The teacher determines if the student has put forth an honest effort in his/her newsgroup activity.
- 6 Journal Assignments - At the end of each of the six units, students will complete a journal assignment. The teacher reads each journal assignment and provides grading and feedback.
- 18 Quizzes - There is a quiz at the end of each of the 18 lessons in the course. These computer-graded quizzes provide students with instant feedback on their work.
- 6 Evaluations - There is an evaluation at the end of each of the six units. These computer-graded evaluations provide students with instant feedback on their work.
- 1 Final Exam/Post Test - Upon completion of the course, the student will need to complete an online comprehensive evaluation. The student will be given one opportunity to take the evaluation and submit it for computer-automated grading. The student will receive instant feedback regarding his or her grade on the final evaluation.
Materials: Graphing Calculator required
Credit Hours: 5 Credits - 1/2 Carnegie Unit
For an outline of this course, click here.
You will need Acrobat Reader to view the outline. Click below to get Acrobat Reader.
