ArizMATYC Fall 2011ArizMATYC Fall 2011ArizMATYC Fall 2011ArizMATYC Fall 2011Avoiding Curriculum WhiplashAvoiding Curriculum Whiplash

Objectives1. Discuss the “typical” order of topics for MAT121

2. Discuss the order I have been using for a few semesters.

3. Discuss some results.

Review – Multiplying PolynomialsFactoring & QuadraticsCommon FactorFactor by GroupingFactoring TrinomialsFactoring Special ProductsSolving Quadratic Equations by FactoringApplications to Quadratic Equations

Rational Expressions & EquationsSimplify Rational Expressions & DomainMultiply & Divide Rational ExpressionsAdd Like Rational Expressions & LCDAdd Unlike Rational ExpressionsSolve Rational EquationsApplications to Rational Equations.

Radical Expression & EquationsIntroduction to RadicalsRational ExponentsSimplifying RadicalsAdding & Subtracting RadicalsMultiplying RadicalsDividing Radicals (Rationalizing DenominatorsSolving Radical EquationsComplex Numbers

Quadratic FunctionsSolve Quad Equations by Square Root MethodSolve Quad Equations by Completing the SquareSolve Quads by Quadratic FormulaSolve Quadratics in FormGraph Quadratics by Using TransformationsVertex Formula (Graphing & Applications)

Exponential & Logarithmic FunctionsIntroduce Exponential FunctionsIntroduce Logarithmic FunctionsUse Logarithm Rules

Typical Topic Order for MAT121

Review – Multiplying PolynomialsFactoringCommon FactorFactor by GroupingFactoring Special ProductsFactoring TrinomialsRational ExpressionsSimplify & Multiply Rational ExpressionsDivide Rational Expressions & LCDAdd Rational ExpressionsRadical Expression & EquationsIntroduction to RadicalsRational ExponentsSimplifying & Add/Sub RadicalsMultiplying & Divide RadicalsComplex NumbersVery Important Expression (Quad Formula

Solving EquationsSolving Quadratic Equations by FactoringSolve Quad Equations by Square Root MethodSolve Quads by Quadratic FormulaSolve Quad Equations by Completing the SquareSolve Rational EquationsSolving Radical EquationsSolve Quadratics in Form

ApplicationsApplications to Quadratic EquationsApplications to Rational Equations.

Graphing QuadraticGraph Quadratics by Using TransformationsVertex Formula (Graphing & Applications)

Exponential & Logarithmic FunctionsIntroduce Exponential FunctionsIntroduce Logarithmic FunctionsUse Logarithm Rules

New Topic Order for MAT121

What has this new order meant?

Anecdotally

Students have a better grasp on solving equations.

Don’t really have much data yet to compare pass rates and such

Class Grades Fall 2011 F2F

Median 79.5

Average 80.2

Std Dev 12.1

22 students

Class Grades Fall 2011 Hybrid

Median 90.5

Average 88.2

Std Dev 10.3

12 students