The MLAC is usually open from 8 am to 7 pm weekdays and for three hours on Saturday mornings. Typically, the instructor will present a problem relating to a specific algebraic concepts and students will work in small groups on that problem. The instructor will facilitate the groups , as needed. The whole class will then come together while the solutions are presented and discussed by the class. Mathematical implications and algebraic skills will be emphasized as needed.
Students have the opportunity to raise questions and respond to questions.
All students are required to read the textbook, write about mathematics, actively participate in class discussions, and think critically about many different types of problems. Students are required to read the textbook and work out detailed solutions to approximately 20 to 50 algebra exercises for each assignment and at least two detailed solutions to problems from the problem solving text. Some instructors will require students to write detailed outlines of the textbook sections or to make up their own word problems. Not all the material required in the course is covered in the discussions so students must read the textbook to learn some of the new material. Students can expect to read about 20 pages per week.