1. College Algebra: Modeling the City
Cathy Evins and Mary Williams
Co-coordinators of Developmental and General Education
Roosevelt University

2. Engaging Mathematics
Funded through a National Science Foundation’s grant, the Engaging Mathematics project is a three-year initiative that aims to apply the already well-established SENCER approach to college-level mathematics courses, with the goal of using civic issues to make math more relevant to students. It also aims to create a national community of mathematics scholars capable of creating, implementing, and sustaining reforms in mathematics education. Engaging Mathematics is an initiative of the National Center for Science and Civic Engagement (NCSCE).
The Engaging Mathematics partners are Metropolitan State University, LaGuardia Community College, Augsburg College, Normandale Community College, Oglethorpe University, and Roosevelt University
Learn more at:
Science Education for New Civic Engagements and Responibilities

3. Roosevelt University’s College Algebra – Modeling the City
The new course addresses the issues of students’ attitude, behavior, and performance by creating a much more dynamic, relevant, and engaging course.

4. Examples of Chicago problems
Fare for a single ride on the CTA ‘L’ train is $ A one day pass, good for unlimited rides, costs $10. How many rides would need to be taken to make the one day pass a good deal? What about for the weekly pass that costs $28?
Chicago has one of the highest sales tax in the country. Stores charge 10.25% of the price of an item for sales tax. If the price of a textbook after the sales tax is $66.15, what was the price before tax?
Heritage bicycle company is based in Chicago. ( Assume that the company has a fixed cost of $100,000 and that it costs $100 to produce each bicycle. They sell their bikes for an average of $800 each. Write the total cost, C, as a function of the number of bicycles produced, x. Write the revenue, R, as a function of the number of bicycles sold, x. Now write the profit, P, as function of the number of bicycles produced and sold (assuming that is the same number).

5. Big Problems
End of chapter problems on topics such as Chicago Population, Chicago Homicide Rate, the privatization of Chicago Skyway. Each ends with an extra credit opportunity for which students research and write about a Chicago based issue. Example: Research and report on the heat wave in Chicago 1995 and the people who died as a result of the heat. Specifically comment on the inequity in the deaths in geographical, racial, and socioeconomic terms. (Earn up to 2 points on Test 2, based on thoroughness, accuracy, and quality of writing. Cite all sources used)

6. Flipped format and use of MyMathLab
Pre-class assignment = Learning Guide (textbook, video, and powerpoint) and Skills Homework
Post-class assignment = Problem Set

7. Frequent Feedback
Online assignments
Daily Quizzes
In-class work

8. Reflection and Metacognition
Writing in Mathematics
End of class reflection
Test Corrections
End of semester study guides

9. What grade did you expect to earn? __________
What grade did you earn?_________
Test Corrections: On your own paper, write up a correct solution to any problem on the test that was not correct. This is part of your test grade.
Do not collaborate with anybody else. You may use your notes, class notes, homework, and e-book, but cannot get help from another student or tutor or the internet.
For every correct solution you can earn back half of the points missed on the original test.
For example, if you missed 5 points on a question and you attach the correct solution here, you will earn 2.5 points back to your test grade.
Reflect on your preparation and performance in this class. Is there anything you'd like me to know? Is there anything else I can do support your learning?
I have been doing this consistently
I will do this for the rest of the semester
Arrive on time to each class session
Come to class prepared
Take thorough notes during class
Work with my neighbor when asked to
Ask questions (to instructor or tutor) during class
Complete the Learning Guide--text, videos, and PowerPoint before class
Take thorough notes while doing Learning Guide
Complete the Skills HW before class
Complete the Problem Sets on time
Complete any homework assignments I have missed so far
Come to the instructor's office hours with questions
Go to AUD 403 for assistance from the tutors
Other:

10. Students feedback from Student Assessment of Learning Gains (SALG) survey
“The big problems were very helpful in tying together ideas and thinking about math as a tool to solve real world problems instead of numbers on a page”
“I liked how we first encountered the new sections on our own and then we would go into class and expand on those concepts instead of the opposite.”
“I enjoyed the online learning and then doing the big problems in class. It helped me to take my own notes and participate more fully in my own education which helped to remember key ideas.”