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. Some instructors will require students to write detailed outlines of the textbook sections or to make up their own word problems. There will be two short papers assigned in the course, one paper to focus on an aspect related to the history of algebra and the other on the development of an algebraic concept. There will be one small groups project assigned.