Math 111 continues to be slippery slope for OSU students
Problems with Math 111 are believed to stem from students' inadequate grade school teaching in math
Shanna Woodruff
Issue date: 4/20/09 Section: News
Another difficult part for students tends to be the class size and how quickly the class moves.
With more than 280 students in the classroom, it can be very overwhelming for many students.
"This is a sign of under-funding, because if they put more money into it, they'd hire more people to teach the class," Argyres said. "We almost lost our phones one year because they were looking for cutbacks."
With budget cuts still continuing, there is little hope that the classes will get any smaller.
Unlike many other departments, the math department also is not getting many additional graduate students or math majors to help fund the program.
"With four hours, there's not enough time to write in any comments of any sort [on the homework]," said college algebra TA Chris Jennings-Schaffer, a first-year grad student in math.
Jennings-Schaffer mentioned that with more 200 homework papers, there just isn't enough time to grade every individual question and verify the students' answers. "A lot of students don't really understand that if they don't complete all of the homework, they probably won't figure out the exams," Jennings-Schaffer said.
To help students work in smaller groups, the math department offers study tables, the math learning center and required recitations where each TA additionally has his or her own office hours for one on one time.
However, many students, such as Stockhoff and Zimmer, do not use these programs when in need of help, which may be the cause for the difficulty in understanding basic concepts.
The textbook froze about five years ago to get the price down for students, but this has caused the class to lose online support.
"Now, we're re-looking at the text, trying to see if we can get a better text that moves in a more linear fashion as far as the structure of the course, along with online support," Argyres said.
This may cost more money for students, so the math department is looking at doing an "e-text" where students can download homework in PDF form, but nothing has been determined yet.
The math department is aware of the difficulties for students in college algebra and can only recommend that students turn in the homework, go to class, work on math daily and to get help the moment they don't understand.
Zimmer failed the first test, and had to work to maintain a C in the class. "[After the first test] I just spent hours studying and asked the TA lots of questions."
"Go to every lecture, take notes and get tutoring or work in groups to help with the class," Stockhoff said. Stockhoff is currently looking at retaking the class since he did not pass it the first time.
Shanna Woodruff, staff writer
news@dailybarometer.com, 737-2231
With more than 280 students in the classroom, it can be very overwhelming for many students.
"This is a sign of under-funding, because if they put more money into it, they'd hire more people to teach the class," Argyres said. "We almost lost our phones one year because they were looking for cutbacks."
With budget cuts still continuing, there is little hope that the classes will get any smaller.
Unlike many other departments, the math department also is not getting many additional graduate students or math majors to help fund the program.
"With four hours, there's not enough time to write in any comments of any sort [on the homework]," said college algebra TA Chris Jennings-Schaffer, a first-year grad student in math.
Jennings-Schaffer mentioned that with more 200 homework papers, there just isn't enough time to grade every individual question and verify the students' answers. "A lot of students don't really understand that if they don't complete all of the homework, they probably won't figure out the exams," Jennings-Schaffer said.
To help students work in smaller groups, the math department offers study tables, the math learning center and required recitations where each TA additionally has his or her own office hours for one on one time.
However, many students, such as Stockhoff and Zimmer, do not use these programs when in need of help, which may be the cause for the difficulty in understanding basic concepts.
The textbook froze about five years ago to get the price down for students, but this has caused the class to lose online support.
"Now, we're re-looking at the text, trying to see if we can get a better text that moves in a more linear fashion as far as the structure of the course, along with online support," Argyres said.
This may cost more money for students, so the math department is looking at doing an "e-text" where students can download homework in PDF form, but nothing has been determined yet.
The math department is aware of the difficulties for students in college algebra and can only recommend that students turn in the homework, go to class, work on math daily and to get help the moment they don't understand.
Zimmer failed the first test, and had to work to maintain a C in the class. "[After the first test] I just spent hours studying and asked the TA lots of questions."
"Go to every lecture, take notes and get tutoring or work in groups to help with the class," Stockhoff said. Stockhoff is currently looking at retaking the class since he did not pass it the first time.
Shanna Woodruff, staff writer
news@dailybarometer.com, 737-2231
Note: writers will not reply to comments.
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 5
Patricia Santangelo
posted 4/21/09 @ 2:29 PM PST
It is unfortunate to see that so many have failed this course, but I am glad I am not alone. I took the class in 1991 and failed miserably. I took it again and received a D. (Continued…)
Katt
posted 4/21/09 @ 9:22 PM PST
I mentioned to the head advisor for Fisheries and Wildlife that I was taking Math 111 and she laughed and said "good luck - it is THE most failed class OSU offers". (Continued…)
Jami
posted 4/22/09 @ 8:24 PM PST
If people struggle that much taking Math 111 at OSU, I would encourage them to take it at LBCC instead. The course is without a doubt, easier and more enjoyable at LB, and more worthwhile in preparing you for other math courses, all without making you feel stupid, or breaking the bank. (Continued…)
Gunnar Leffler
posted 4/24/09 @ 9:47 PM PST
Math 111 is a slippery slope indeed (punny!). Something of a gateway drug which can lead you to harder stuff like calculus.
The only reason why I took math was because of peer pressure. (Continued…)
David Allen
posted 4/26/09 @ 7:49 AM PST
I'm glad to see that some things never change! I took this class in the mid-70's and failed the first time around...then struggled to barely get a "C. (Continued…)
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