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Show -- 2- WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, DIXIESUNNEWS.COM 2014 Read about Lauren Davisons experience with the new math classes on Page 8. number of years, and what happened is I would notice students would do pretty well at the beginning of the class, and then a significant number of them would tail off and not do well for the rest of the course, she said. As a department, we were concerned about that. The new classes are now only offered online. There is a video lecture, study guide, homework, quiz and test for each chapter. The Edward H. and Idonna E. Snow Science Building provides a lab for students to complete their work and receive help. Instructors are required to meet with students during scheduled hours. BY EMILY BILLS News Editor The math department sprung yet another change on Dixie State University students this semester. DSU previously offered Math 920, Math 990 and Math 1010. Math 920 and 990 weie remedial courses that refreshed students on information they were expected to have learned in high school. Math 1010, also somewhat of a remedial course, was the next entry-levmath course. The math department introduced e a restructure of the n courses for spring semester. Students no longer enroll for 920, 990 or 1010; the courses are now called Math 900 and Math 000. The remedial course is 900, and 000 is a combination of 990 and 1010. After some students expressed issues with the course a few weeks into the semester, the math department decided to remove deadlines on assignments and quizzes and let students move at their own pace. The changes were originally brought on by the state requesting high schools to step it up, and colleges needed to support them in doing so, said Kathie Ott, a math lecturer and adviser. The state came and told us that they were tired of paying for things twice, she said. They felt like we needed to do better. Ott said some students were taking 1010 numerous times, and the new courses are designed for student success on the first tiy. Ive taught Math 1010 for a el O O rr v $f i face-to-fa- changes force her to spend more time on the class than anything else. She said the new classes are horrible. I had to drop another class to do this one, Thompson said. I work on math every day. It takes e up as much time as a job at least. After the deadlines on assignments and quizzes were removed, Scott Mortensen, an associate professor of math and eLab coordinator, sent an email to his students that cautioned them to stay on top of it regardless. The motivation of finishing this course is now your responsibility, Mortensen wrote in the email. Scott Holhngshead, a junior business major from St. George, said he was grateful the deadlines were removed. Alien I got the email, it was 4:30 a.m., he said. I was finishing up my math that was due on the next day. It was a relief. 1 1 i 2 Traci Thompson, a junior nursing major from St. George, said the large-scal- lower-divisio- if t tr j r ' The math department changed the entry-levmath classes this semester, hoping to improve and with from the state. Some students feel the changes in the competency comply requests math classes require them to devote too much time to their class work. el The math department took special care in trying to figure out exactly what system should be implemented that would be the best fit for the university, Ott said. Representatives from the department traveled to other schools and adapted the new courses from what they observed. Ott said there was a particular institution that implemented a system that was similar to what DSU developed. They have a 95 percent pass rate up there, Ott said. We are implementing some of their stuff, but weve also looked at what would work well here. Thompson said while the course works well by forcing students to understand the material fully, the part-tim- class requires too much effort. There shouldn't be so much to do for one chapter, she said. With the video lecture, homework and quiz, it's so much work. So far, the numbers are back up, Ott said. An instructor told her out of 1 8 students who took a recent test, the average score was 90 percent. She said the key to the new system is working hard, and the best way to learn math is to do the work. Ott said advisers have experienced some complaints from the students. She said most of the time the reason for students struggle was because some of them were putting off the work until the last minute. Thats very human nature, but if you wait until three days before the test and you try to do everything at once, its not going to work very well for you, she said. The department believes the change will be a good thing, Ott said. Students need to be patient while faculty and staff work out the kinks, but she said if people stick through it, they will come oat of the courses with a much higher mastery level than what was happening before. Students who are having issues with the courses are encouraged to bring their concerns to the instructor first. Students can also visit the math lab in the Snow building for help with homework. udtenfi eSeciisoinis wrap up February BY HAYLIE GREENHALGH Staff Writer The Dixie State University Student Association is holding elections for its new members at the end of the month, and voting can be done online or on campus. Members of the DSUSA agree that voting for student body officers is important. It helps create a more united campus and gives students a chance to have a say in who will be representing the university. Students running for Student Body President are Greg Layton, Samuel Jamison and Clint Post. 4 f f L - t O CAREER Cueei Posticns Pait-Tim- c Seasonal Positions CENTER PRESENTS - Summer Sales Positions Only' THURSDAY A ' ; r- NO SUMMER SALES POSI HONS ATTHiS EVENT Jared n. Internships Gardner Cerner Billioom . informed and be sure Positions WEDNESDAY Broad said. Keep informed and be sure to vote. It's going to be a great election. Primary elections begin Feb. 25 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and final elections will occur Feb. 28. The campus campaign will be held at the Encampment Mall Feb. 17, which is an event intended to persuade voters to vote for specific candidates. Also, candidates will be representing their opinions during the debate Feb. 26. Carlos Morgan, Student Keep Body President and a senior to communication major from Candidates running vote. Santa Clara, said participatfor Vice President of ing in student government Broad, Academics are DAndre has been satisfying. Mathews and Alex Lamb-soBeing student body The candidate runpresident has been a great ning for Vice President of experience, Morgan said. Clubs is McKell Price. Its driven me to have to Chief Justice and Elecwork out a balance between tion Committee Chair school, student government Jared Broad, a senior business major from and personal life, which has been difficult St. said DSU will be in m - u , Gardnei Centei Baliioom B ONLY SUMMER SALES POSITIONS ATTHIS EVENT chief justice and election committee chair George, good hands no matter which candidates win the election. He has gotten to know all of the candidates and said each student running is more than qualified. Each candidate is distinct, and that's why I cannot advocate for student involvement enough during this election, but fulfilling. Working on both the administrative side and the student side, Morgan said he has learned a lot and has been provided with a unique perspective on higher education. I know I m going to be sad when its all over but maybe a little relieved as well, Morgan said. |