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Show The Signpost Page 4 Math Wednesday, December 8,2004 continued from front Lukken, this is not a predicament that is unique to WSU; other openenrollment schools in Utah and the United States are experiencing this problem as well. One difficulty the department has in fixing the problem is that it has so many different contributing factors. Blackintons team prepared a list of such factors, which includes 12 concepts. At the top of the list is the university's openenrollment policy, which, the list says, will insure a population of underprepared learners. Some of the other problems on the list are calculator IEICO. A 15-minute call could save you 15%. Local Office 1513 N. Hillfield Rd., Suite 3 (801) 775-8020 Ask for Student Discount dependent learners, a high ratio of adjunct teachers, low high school math standards and a society that condones and expects ignorance in math. "I used to think that I could teach anyone," Blackinton said. "I can't teach people that don't work, don't come to class and don't try very hard." Yet many do try hard and still fail. Orlene Ovard-Snyder hopes to one day teach elementary school and feels doubtful that she will pass 1010 this semester. She said she spends approximately six hours a week going to a private tutor and the drop-in math lab. "They save my bacon," OvardSnyder said about the math lab in the basement of the Student Service Center. "I know my best friend who was taking the same class with me got discouraged and dropped out." She said her class of 50 is down to about 12 people who still attend. "I took950 and 960 to prepare for 1010 because 1 hadn't been in a math class in so long," OvardSnyder said. "I have a 3.8 GPA and I'm going to have to repeat 1010; they just didn't prepare me for this class." Ovard-Snyder said she doesn't think it's the teachers, but the course itself. "it's too much," Ovard-Snyder said. "It needs to be divided into two sections." Another student who uses the math lab heavily, Albert Ncancer, said he agreed that Math 1010 should be split in two, "Maybe they don't have to have it that way for every class," Ncancer said. "But if we are going to have to take the class a second time anyway, it works better to split it." Ncancer said he knows the first half of the book but not the second half because it took all semester to understand the first seven chapters. Splitting the class would be more like some of the bio-med and chemistry classes he said he knows of. "They are taught in sections," Ncancer said. "Why cant they do that with Math 1010?" You can leave a message for reporter feff Christensen by calling 626-7655. Breathe continued from MEN'S & WOMEN'S BONFIRE JACKETS $99 ALLYANCE OUTERWEAR 30% OFF MEN'S & WOMEN'S CLOTHING FROM DC, NIKITA, MONIX, NIXON, FALLEN, AND INNES 20% OFF THROUGH CHRISTMAS '•f. if'- for riders by risers LINK TLLKOrL 1735 E. Skyline Dr. South Ogden, UT 84403 475-RIDE www.decadesnowandskate.com i u n r from 1996. Because he takes in no air through his nasal cavity, he has little sensory perception in that area. "I'd just like to smell anything," Howe said. "1 can't smell food, I can't smell perfume." Howe will return to WSU to finish his degree following his surgeries. He hopes to specialize in Web page design and to work in that field after graduation. "I can work on the computer with a dot that goes on my forehead, and 1 just use that,"' Howe said. "I can move the mouse - I just puff for left click and sip for right click. It's real amazing this semester because I'm in 2-D graphics with Miss McLeod. It's just amazing what you can do with normal tools." Howe has had much help along the way and is grateful toward the students and teachers at. WSU who have helped him. Many students, he said, go out of their way to help him. "They really help me," he said. "They just jog over and open the door. Once, a student held the door open for me and then went the other way down the hill." A number of professors have also been influential in helping Howe reach his goals. "There have been a few that really haven't cared," said Lindsay Howe, Bradens dad. "But he has to do his work like everybody else. It takes longer for him to communicate in taking tests and things, but most of his teachers are really understanding." Howe will be better able to function as a student after his surgeries. His diaphragm monitor will be only the size of a large television remote, and it will require much less electricity. This will help in many ways, but particularly in mobility. After the surgery, Howe will also be relieved of the constant noise the ventilator makes. This will allow for more effective communication. You can reach reporter Becky Palmer by calling 626-7655. |