More than 1,100 University of Alabama students are participating this semester in a computer-based instruction program for Math 100, intermediate algebra. Discouraged by low student performance in the traditional Math 100 classroom, instructors sought to find a better approach for teaching the course. A team of UA professors submitted a grant proposal to the Pew Grant Program in Course Redesign. Tsun-Zee Mai, course leader for Math 100, said that pilot studies conducted in the spring and summer semesters were quite successful. He also said that students scored higher on the first exam of this semester than they scored on the first exam of last fall.
Students complete assignments at their own pace.
She explained that students are required to pass four examinations and a final. They may take exams earlier than the scheduled date, and may finish the class early as well. Mai added that instructors and tutors are always available to assist students in the Math 100 computer lab. Glass said students are learning much more than math through this new approach.