talk to me about your algebra class

butterfly135 · Jan 28, 2010

we were only allowed our calculators for tests

Sand_Dollar, BSN · Jan 28, 2010

I did my college algebra class online via ccconline and we were allowed two attempts at the exams and everything is open book. They were (if I remember right) 25 questions and 4 hours long, each. I would do the first test, print it out and then work each questions. Then when I had the second test the numbers were different but the techniques were still the same. Those questions were hard and that was the worst class for me EVER.

One website I found very useful was yourteacher.com. It's a paid site, but it really helped me, and my daughter is using it right now to skip past the lower classes and test into college algebra. You might find it helpful... and youtube is helpful too.

Good luck! I feel your pain - as Jimmy Buffet's song goes - MATH SUCKS!

FLDoula · Jan 28, 2010

I took Beginning Algebra last semester. We were not allowed to use calculators in class or on tests. Reason being is that we had to take an exit exam and were not allowed to use calculators on that exam. You could go through the class, get an A and still fail if you bombed the exit exam.

I liked not using the calculators because you are not allowed to use them on the nursing entrance exams from what I've heard...at least the NLN and the TEAS, not sure of the others.

I also found yourteacher.com very helpful but didn't pay for it. I accessed it through youtube.

I'm now in Intermediate Algebra and we can use calculators and he gives points for your work, if it's correct, even if you don't have the correct answer. I can actually understand word problems from this professor! And that's saying a lot!

The Bell Jar · Jan 29, 2010

I did my college algebra class online via ccconline and we were allowed two attempts at the exams and everything is open book. They were (if I remember right) 25 questions and 4 hours long, each. I would do the first test, print it out and then work each questions. Then when I had the second test the numbers were different but the techniques were still the same. Those questions were hard and that was the worst class for me EVER.
One website I found very useful was yourteacher.com. It's a paid site, but it really helped me, and my daughter is using it right now to skip past the lower classes and test into college algebra. You might find it helpful... and youtube is helpful too.
Good luck! I feel your pain - as Jimmy Buffet's song goes - MATH SUCKS!

def interested in this school! I sent you a pm :)

Anoetos, BSN, RN · Jan 29, 2010

Taking Intermediate Algebra currently.

Our instructor permits open notes and book for exams, but he does something odd with homework: he assigns between 25-40 questions per session, and we just keep it until exam day. Then, on exam day, he puts three homework questions from the preceding 4-5 weeks on the board. We high-lite these in our homework and turn them in. If ANY of the three homework questions are wrong, we receive no credit for homework. Homework represents 4% of grade per exam, or 12% of overall grade since there are three exams and a final.

On the other hand, he is an excellent and engaging instructor.

Soontobehope · Jan 30, 2010

I am taking Intermediate Algebra online. We are not supposed to use calculators. We have 3 tries at each section's quiz. We have to score at least 70% on the Unit Test Review before we can take the Unit Test.

I wasn't sure how I would like the online format but it working for the most part.

I plan checking out the website suggested. Thanks!

Nissan350z · Jan 30, 2010

it wont be to bad, just do all the hw!

peas&carrots · Jan 30, 2010

The school I'm applying to doesn't even require math as a prereq. It's ranked in the top of all programs in my area so they must be doing something right. I do know they lose alot of students along the way so maybe they need to make the prereqs a little bit harder. I've had a few semesters of Calculus and I think it's made me a much better problem solver. My math teacher told us to spend at least 2 hours at home working on problems for every hour of class time. So I totally agree the more problems you work the better off you are. Also, if I was you I would never use a calculator. My teacher never allowed us to use calculators. The more you work out all the calculations on scratch paper the faster you get. This will definitely help you if you have to take an admissions test to get into the nursing program. :)

Michaelxy · Jan 30, 2010

I hear your cry and I feel your pain as I am a math bone head. When I started school I had to take all sorts of remedial math, I started at math 20 (very remedial). When I got to intermediate Algebra I had such anxiety that I would throw up before a test. After many sick and empty stomachs and a tutor I hired, I ended up taking Math 251 (Calculus).

I now feel so empowered that I battled through this fear of math. So my suggestion to you is this. Learn your basics and learn them well. Understanding how to solve fractions will make intermediate algebra so much easier. when you get to factoring, become a factoring factory, so much of algebra requires factoring so know it like the back of your hand. Do as much practice that you can, even if you hate doing it. Eventually a light switch will go off in your head and you will say, "I get it". But get the basics first, math learning is a cumulative subject. No flash cards are needed if you learn the material. For formulas like the quadratic equations or difference of cubes, just commit them to memory, make 3x5 flash cards to study by (That always worked for me). So if you put in the effort and persevere you can do well, I did and I am the ultimate math bone head.

For my BSN program we have to have college Algebra and statistics. Do not freak out about statistics, it is far simpler than Algebra and is kinda cool.

Hope that helps

Michaelxy · Jan 30, 2010

One more thing that might be useful. Use rate my professor before taking a class. Many bad apples post there but you can get a feel how the teacher runs a class.

BTW, I am still a pre-nurse student so i am not an expert by any means :)

Anoetos, BSN, RN · Jan 30, 2010

For my BSN program we have to have college Algebra and statistics. Do not freak out about statistics, it is far simpler than Algebra and is kinda cool.
Hope that helps

First of all, Mike,

Your advice here is excellent. Getting over math-anxiety a preparation are the whole battle.

It's funny, my Algebra instructor said the same thing you are saying here, Statistics, even though it is a 200 level course, is actually easier than Algebra.