Academic Affairs Office

Maria H. Andersen, Ph.D.

Math Instructor, Math & Physical Sciences, Muskegon Community College

Learning Futurist, The LIFT Institute of Muskegon Community College

Photo of Maria Andersen

Phone: 231-777-0682        Fax:  231-777-0487

Math Office: 143-4 in the Math/Physical Science wing of MCC

LIFT Office: 1109 in the Stevenson Higher Ed Center

Email: maria.andersen@muskegoncc.edu

 

 

 

Publications etc.

You can find a complete list of recent publications (with hyperlinks) on my professional website, TeachingCollegeMath.

My students and I have been featured in many articles and on many websites. You can find those here.

Classes for Fall 2011

  • Math 161: Calculus I  (Web-enhanced, Traditional classroom with Online Homework)
  • Math 105: Math for Elementary Teachers (Web-enhanced, Traditional classroom)

 Classes for Winter 2012

  • TBD

Classes for Summer 2012

  • Math 161: Calculus I  (Online)

If you are planning to take Calc I,

click here

to go to the review page for Calc I.  Also, go

read the advice from students past.

For Online Calculus Orientation, go here.

What to do if you're a transfer student and want to take Calc I or Calc II in the summer?

  • Apply for admission at MCC (you must be assigned a student number).
  • Send MCC a transcript showing the math classes you have passed so that you will be cleared to enroll in Calc I or Calc II. 
  • Register and pay for your summer class online  (registration does not begin until March 15, 2008).
  • Set up forwarding on your MCC email if you do not plan to check it regularly.
  • Log in to Blackboard when your course becomes available (you will receive an email from me, sent to your MCC email, when the course is available).
  • Obtain a book and WebAssign access code (both available from the bookstore).
  • Download the recommended Internet plugins for the course (these will be listed in the Blackboard course).
  • Review your math skills in preparation for the class.

What will it be like to take ONLINE CALCULUS?   I will use a mix of video mini-Lessons, concept activities with discussion board responses, and a homework management system called WebAssign.  Our learning management system will be Blackboard, with integrated WebAssign.  Tests must be taken at an approved testing center (like the MCC Testing Center).

Technical requirements for Online Calculus: You will need to have a way to submit handwritten work or typed mathematical work, including graphs.  The recommended software for this is MathType Lite and Jing (both are available free).  You can also do this with a digital pen, a scanner, a peripheral tablet, a tablet computer, or a camera (as long as you can reduce the file sizes to something reasonable).  You will also need to download the latest versions of several Internet Plugins (Java, Flash, Quicktime, etc.).

WARNING: Online calculus is intended for students with high-speed internet access.  You can use campus computers for high-speed internet access if you do not have it at home.  During a standard 15-week semester, online calculus requires a minimum time commitment of 12 hours per week (regular calculus requires a commitment of 4 hours of class time + 8-12 study hours per week).  If you do the math... 12 hours divided by 6 days (one day off for good behavior), you will see this works out to at least 2 hours per day.  If you do not have this time in your schedule, do not sign up for online calculus.

What does it mean if my math course is web-enhanced?  Material for the course will also be available in an online format - you will likely have access to notes, some video lectures, worksheets, etc.  This can be a great benefit to you if you fall ill or need to miss school due to outside obligations.  Also, you will complete your homework online.  You will have multiple tries at homework problems (to maximize your homework grade) and you will receive instant feedback on your homework submissions.  At the beginning of the semester, you will have access to every assignment for the entire semester - work ahead if you'd like. Learning (much of it active) and exams take place during normally scheduled class sessions.  Practically - you will need to make sure that you have access to decent Internet for a few hours per week (any computer lab on campus will do).