New Electronic Instructor in Math 9

Fear of figures? Tired of notetaking and memorization? This fall the Math department will offer CSUS students an exciting new way to learn Math 9—intermediate algebra -- by using a computer program.

Forty new IBM computers have been installed in Room 205 of Brighton Hall, ready to take the place of an instructor and give students lectures, assignments and quizzes.

The new math 9 class has attracted a crowd of students.

Math 9 used to be a large class with about 300 students instructed by one professor. Even though the math department hired student assistants to provide additional help, students still demanded more individual attention.

Taking Math 9 at the new computer lab will trim down the class size to 35 students. "Students can have more individual attention and direct contact with the instructor," said Wallace Etterbeek, chair of the Math department. "Also, students can proceed at their own pace."

Although it is the first time the Math department has used a computer program for instruction, Etterbeek stressed that it is not a try out. Computer programs have been successful in several Learning Skills classes before.

"We just transfer the success to Math 9," he said.

The program used for instruction is Interactive Math Lesson Viewer by Academic System Corp, introduced James Gehrmann, the professor who will supervise the new computer lab.

"It’s a strong program and has been used on many campuses across the country," Gehrmann said.

A follow-up study by Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo has proven that electronic instructors do a good job. The technological effectiveness in teaching math appears to confirm that computers can raise student achievement.

"We looked at students who took our beginning and intermediate algebra courses via the Academic System computer program versus those who took it traditionally," said Sheryl O’Neill, the coordinator of ELM and Developmental Math at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. "Our survey showed those who took one or more of the computer courses fared better in college level courses than those who took just traditional lecture courses," O’Neill said.

"We will have two instructors consulting each other in class," said Gehrmann. "A student’s attendance is still required."

By taking Math 9 via the computer program, students are no longer bound to the traditional classroom setting. They can purchase the Internet version and work on their own at home or computer lab during open hours.