Taking to the Web


Moving portions of MTH 105 work online is a step in the right direction

The math department should adopt the innovative online program it's testing out on some of its MTH 105 students this semester.

Four of 25 intermediate algebra sections this semester are utilizing MathXL, a system that allows students to do their work online. What makes the program so beneficial is that it grades students' work right away, giving them immediate feedback.

The program will be used across the MTH 105 board next semester if student feedback is positive.

Using MathXL is a great idea because a large amount of students take MTH 105 to satisfy their general education math competency requirement.

The program serves as an excellent learning tool for students. Since work is graded right away, students can assess problems and try to figure out why they were wrong, instead of waiting one or two extra classes to find out.

MathXL can be helpful to faculty as well. Teachers can look at their classes' work online before coming to class the next day. That way the teachers can seek out which problems are troubling the most students, so they can be covered more in class.

The fact the program isn't available for Macintosh computers shouldn't be too big of an issue, as long as the university makes the program available at its many PC labs across campus.

Using the program for all MTH 105 classes next semester really is a win-win situation for both students and staff.

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