Santa Fe College
Course Title: Intermediate Algebra
Contact: Steve Grosteffon
Santa Fe College ( SFC ) plans to redesign Intermediate Algebra, their largest math course, which enrolls ~2,760 students annually. The traditional course is predominantly lecture-based, meeting in either three 50-minute classes or two 75-minute classes each week. In its current format, the course is taught by both full-time faculty and adjunct instructors.
The traditional course faces a number of academic problems. First, students have a wide range of abilities, and the average success rate is ~50%. Second, there is a lack of consistency among sections. All sections use the same book and all students take the same common multiple-choice final exam. However, each instructor designs his or her own lesson plans, assessments, use of class time and part of the final exam. There is poor correlation between grades received on the final exam and grades in the course, as well as between grades received in the course and those received in subsequent courses for which Intermediate Algebra is a prerequisite. Third, initial lack of student success in and progression through their mathematics courses functions as an impenetrable barrier that keeps students from completing their program of study and graduating. Finally, the Community College Survey of Student Engagement has shown that 75% of Santa Fe students typically spend less than 10 hours per week preparing for classes, and they skip class more frequently than their peers at other Florida community colleges. The team wants to make the Intermediate Algebra course more engaging for students.
Santa Fe will use the Emporium Model to redesign the course. Each section will meet twice a week for 75 minutes. One meeting will be in the Math Studio where students will work on their online assignments using MyMathLab software. The second meeting will be in a classroom where the students will work in small groups, discuss concepts and receive the framework for the week’s materials. Students will also be required to schedule an additional 75-minute block each week in the Math Studio. All redesigned sections will follow the same course schedule and will assign the same homework, quizzes and tests created by the design team.
The redesigned course will enhance the students’ learning experience and improve the success rate by incorporating active learning through group work and practice time. The Math Studio will be staffed by instructors and tutors to provide individual assistance as needed, and the online assignments will provide immediate feedback. Progress will be closely monitored and students who do not pass the first test will be required to schedule a conference with their instructor to discuss the material and their approach to the course. The redesign will also achieve consistency across all sections, and all grades will be calculated in the same manner.
Santa Fe plans to assess student learning outcomes by comparing performance on a common comprehensive final exam given to both traditional and redesigned sections. In the fall 2009 pilot phase, eight redesigned sections of 40 students each and eight traditional sections of 30 students each will be compared. Each instructor teaching a redesigned section will also teach a traditional section. The team will also analyze the results question by question to determine if particular concepts or skills are better conveyed by either delivery method. Eventually, the college plans to track students through subsequent math courses to determine their success.
Santa Fe will reduce the cost of instruction by decreasing the number of sections from 92 to 69 and increasing section size from 30 to 40. The number of faculty teaching the course will decrease: full-time faculty will go from 21 to 10 and part-time faculty from 25 to 17. The cost-per-student will decrease from $117 to $86, a 26% reduction. These actions will enable full-time faculty to teach higher level courses. Savings will also be used to maintain the Math Studio, support other course redesigns and enhance and expand professional development opportunities.
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