Pre-Calculus and Pre-Statistics Modules

Up to five bonus marks can be earned for course credit in MA102 by successfully completing these supplementary modules. One half-mark is granted when a minimum of 80% is obtained on a module's test for credit. If all nine modules are successfully completed by Sunday October 22, then an additional half-mark is awarded, to earn the maximum 5% in bonus marks.

Before a module's test for credit may be attempted, you must have successfully completed (obtained a minimum score of 80%) on all of the module's assignments. Start at the module's Assignment 1 - complete the assignment any number of times needed until a score of at least 80% is obtained. Then progress to Assignment 2. Continue in this manner until all assignments have been completed to the 80% mastery level. You are then eligible to attempt the module's test for credit.

A test for credit is timed and must be completed in one sitting, but may be attempted any number of times (though having achieved 80% or better on the prerequisite work should result in being able to pass the test on the first or second try). In order to obtain a module's bonus mark, a passing score of 80% or better must be attained on the test by the following dates:

Note that the modules are independent of one another; for example, you do not have to have completed Module B before attempting Module C, etc. Thus, if you miss completing a module before its due date, you can still access and complete any remaining modules to earn their bonus marks.

MapleTA site

Please read the User Guide (see tab below) to learn how to access the modules and how to use correct syntax for entering answers.

Go to the MapleTA login screen after you've read the "how to" user guide; access will open around 4 p.m. on Friday September 8.

The Pre-Calculus Modules Program for all introductory calculus courses is coordinated by Mathematics & Statistics Learning Support. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the module program, please contact Tina Balfour.

Up to five bonus marks can be earned for course credit in MA103 by successfully completing these supplementary modules. One half-mark is granted for each module completed. If all eight modules are successfully completed, then an additional one mark is awarded, to earn the maximum 5% in bonus marks.

To complete a module: start at the module's Assignment 1 - complete the assignment any number of times needed until at least an 80% score is obtained. Then progress to Assignment 2. Continue in this manner until all assignments have been completed to the 80% mastery level.

You are then eligible to attempt the module's test for credit.  A test for credit is timed and must be completed in one sitting, but may be attempted any number of times (though having achieved 80% or better on the prerequisite work should result in being able to pass the test on the first or second try). Once you have obtained a score of 80% or better on the test, you have completed that module and earned the associated bonus credit.

Each module must be completed by the date given below:

Note that the modules are independent of one another; for example, you do not have to have completed Module B before attempting Module C, etc. Thus, if you miss completing a module before its due date, you can still access and complete any remaining modules to earn their bonus marks.

If you need some help with the content covered by any of the modules, you can use our Drop-in Help sessions to obtain assistance.

MapleTA site

Please read the User Guide (see tab below) to learn how to access the modules and how to use correct syntax for entering answers.

Go to the MapleTA login screen after you've read the "how to" User Guide; access will open by around 4 p.m. on Friday September 8.

The Pre-Calculus Modules Program for all introductory calculus courses is coordinated by Mathematics & Statistics Learning Support. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the module program, please contact Tina Balfour.

Up to five bonus marks can be earned for course credit in MA129 by successfully completing these supplementary modules. One half-mark (0.5%) is granted for each module completed. If all eight modules are successfully completed, then an additional one mark (1%) is awarded, to earn the maximum 5% in bonus marks.

Before a module's test for credit may be attempted, you must have successfully completed (obtained a minimum score of 80%) on all of the module's assignments. Start at the module's Assignment 1 - complete the assignment any number of times needed until a score of at least 80% is obtained. Then progress to Assignment 2. Continue in this manner until all assignments have been completed to the 80% mastery level. You are then eligible to attempt the module's test for credit.

A test for credit is timed and must be completed in one sitting, but may be attempted any number of times (though having achieved 80% or better on the prerequisite work should result in being able to pass the test on the first or second try). In order to obtain a module's bonus mark, a passing score of 80% or better must be obtained on the test by the following dates; note: a few dates may be adjusted once the date of the course midterm has been confirmed.

Note that the modules are independent of one another. You do not have to have completed Module A before attempting Module B, etc. Thus, if you miss completing a module before its due date, you can still access and complete any remaining modules to earn their bonus marks.

If you need some help with the content covered by any of the modules, you can use our Drop-in Help sessions to obtain assistance.

MapleTA site

Please read the User Guide (see below) to learn how to access the modules and how to use correct syntax for entering answers within the MapleTA program.

Go to the MapleTA login screen after you've read the "how to" user guide; access will open by around 4 p.m. on Friday September 8.

The Pre-Calculus Modules Program for all introductory calculus courses is coordinated by Mathematics & Statistics Learning Support. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the module program, please contact Tina Balfour

A. Accessing MapleTA “Classes”

1. First, read the relevant section above, so that you are aware of what needs to be completed to earn credit for your particular calculus course; how the modules are used in each course varies.

2. Access the MapleTA login page:

• use your Laurier Network username (just the first 8 characters, the part that comes before the @ character) and password to login to the MapleTA software; that is, the same account credentials you use to access MyLearningSpace, your Laurier email, etc.
• if you have forgotten your password, go to the WLU Profile page and click on the "Reset Password" link

3. After a successful login to the MapleTA server, the system then lists "Classes I Am Taking"

• note that these refer to "MapleTA classes" only!
• if “Pre-Calculus Modules – MA### (along with the term)” that you are enrolled in appears in this list, simply click its link to be directed to its homepage
• if the class you are enrolled in does not appear in this list, please contact Tina Balfour (details included at the end of this section)

B. Before You Start Working on an Assignment/Test with MapleTA

1. Your internet browser must be able to communicate with our server properly. Before starting any of the module work, make sure your browser is set to accept "cookies" and allow "popups".

2. Some question types require Javascript to run in the background. Thus, your browser must have Java enabled.  MapleTA requires a fairly recent version of Java installed on your computer.  The latest version is available as an easy-to-install free download from the Java Website

3. You can make use of Math and Stats Learning Support drop-in hours to obtain extra help with any of the material covered by the module work.

C. Completing Pre-Calculus Course Modules with MapleTA

1. While working on any module Assignment, you can "Quit & Save" part way through, and return at a later time to finish the assignment. This leaves the Assignment in an "open" state, and MapleTA will only allow you to have one open assignment at a time.

2. When you have finished an Assignment, click on the "Submit Assignment" button to submit your answers. BE PATIENT: after clicking on "Grade" it may appear as if nothing is happening, but it is! The system is sending your work to the server for grading, but in most browsers there is no indication of any progress. DO NOT CLICK on "Submit" again - doing so won't make the program work faster; instead you may receive an error message.

3. You cannot proceed to the next Assignment within a module until you have scored 80% or better on the preceding Assignment. You can repeat any Assignment as many times as necessary until a passing score is attained.  Before making an additional attempt at an Assignment, be sure to "View Details" of your current attempt (after it's been graded), in order to see what errors you made -- and in particular, whether your errors were math-based, or whether it was simply the way in which you entered your answer.  Some expressions must be entered a certain way for the program to interpret them correctly (see Section D for more details).

4. Once you have passed (attained a score of 80% or better) the module's entire set of Assignments, you are then eligible to attempt the module's Test for Credit (if required). The Test is timed; as soon as its link is opened, the timer starts and continues to count down even if you "Quit & Save".  You will not be able to log in at a later time to finish the Test; thus, a Test should always be completed in one sitting (i.e., once you open a Test for Credit, complete all questions before logging out). A module's Test for Credit can be repeated as often as needed, until a score of 80% or better is attained.

D. Entering Answers into the MapleTA System

1. Some question types allow students to enter their answers using an "Equation Editor" -- this allows the answer to look the same way we would write it on paper, and makes it easier to check that an answer has been inputted in the manner intended.
   
   This option is a perceived advantage to using the MapleTA software.  HOWEVER:  the current version of the program does not always mark answers entered using the Equation Editor consistently.  Your answer may look identical to the correct answer that the program displays, but in some cases it will be marked as wrong.
   
   To avoid this problem, please use "text mode" when entering your answers.  This method can be a bit more cumbersome, and it's important to use brackets correctly.  Once you have entered your answer though, click on either the "Preview" link which appears beneath the answer box, or the Magnifying Glass icon which appears after the answer box; only one of these two options will be available, but each will take your answer and display it "nicely" so that you can double check that your answer is as intended.  Close the preview window, and if necessary edit your answer, and then preview it again before moving on to the next question.  Using this procedure (text mode & previewing) will help ensure answers are graded accurately.

2. In some cases, there will be additional points that need to be considered when entering your answer in order for the program to interpret it correctly. When required, any special instructions will be included as part of the answer, so make sure you read the entire question!

E. Checking Your Results

1. After you have finished an assignment/test, and you have clicked on the "Submit" button, the system will display your final score for that particular attempt. Once the score has been displayed, you can click on the "View Details" button, and your assignment will be displayed in full - showing each question, your response, and the correct response.  Use this feature to double check which problems you answered correctly, and which (if any!) you answered incorrectly.  When you are finished reviewing your work, be sure to then click on the "Quit & Save" button to exit from the assignment.

2. If you had exited out of an assignment/test without viewing the details at that time, you can still see your results at a later time. Simply follow these steps:

• Login to the MapleTA system
• Click on the appropriate class link to arrive at the page which lists the module assignments.
• Instead of clicking on an assignment link, click on the Gradebook menu item near the top of the page, and then "View past results".
• Select the assignment(s) that you want to check and click on the Search button.
• A screen which looks the same as the previous one will be displayed, but scroll down, and you will see all attempts made for the selected assignment(s) listed, along with the recorded score. There is also a "Details" link, which will open up the assignment and show you which questions you answered correctly/incorrectly.

F. Earning Course Credit towards your Final Calculus Grade

1. Refer to the relevant tab above, to learn what needs to be completed to earn bonus marks for your particular calculus course. Each module has a deadline by which it must be completed in order to earn any associated bonus mark.
2. A module is "completed" once a score of 80% or better has been attained on each component of the module.
3. At the end of the term, the Manager of the MaSt will inform relevant course instructors of marks earned through the Module Program, according to details provided on your course syllabus.

Further Questions or Concerns?

If you have any problems working with the MapleTA system, and you can't find the answer within this document, please feel free to contact me and I'll try to help!

Tina Balfour,  Manager: Mathematics and Statistics Learning Support
   Office: LH1018-B Lazaridis Hall
   Email: tbalfour@wlu.ca

Three modules of content have been created specifically for students taking BF290.  The goal of the module program is to provide you with an opportunity to review fundamental math skills that may be required in senior quantitative courses, such as introductory statistics and research methods courses.

Access to the modules will open around 4 p.m. on Friday September 8.

Completion of the modules, by Wednesday December 6,  is one of the allowable options that will earn you the 3% workshop credit towards your final course grade in BF290!

Accessing the Modules

• The modules make use of special mathematical testing software, called MapleTA.  You can access Laurier’s MapleTA login page at:   https://mapleta.wlu.ca
• Login to the MapleTA software using your usual Laurier network account credentials; that is, the same username (but just the first 8 characters, the part that comes before the @ character) and password that you use to access your @mylaurier email account, MyLearningSpace, etc.
• After a successful login to the MapleTA server, the system then lists "Classes I Am Taking" (these refer to "MapleTA classes" only!).  “Pre-Statistics Modules, BF290 Spring 2023” should appear; click its link to access the listing of module assignments
• If you do not see a link for this “class”, please contact Tina Balfour (see bottom of page)

Before You Start Working on an Assignment with MapleTA

• Your internet browser must be able to communicate with our server properly.  Before starting any of the module work, make sure your browser is set to accept "cookies" and allow "popups".
• MapleTA requires a fairly recent version of Java installed on your computer.  The latest version is available as an easy-to-install free download from the site:  http://www.java.com/en/download/index.jsp

Completing the Pre-Statistics Modules

• For each Module, start at Assignment One; click its link to open the assignment. One question at a time will be displayed.  After entering your answer to the question, click on “Next” to proceed to the next question.  You can use the navigation buttons at the bottom of the page to return to previous questions to check your work or to change your answer if needed.
• While working on any module Assignment, you can "Quit & Save" part way through, and return at a later time to finish the assignment. 
• When you have finished an Assignment, click on the "Submit Assignment" button to submit your answers.  The program will warn you if you did not answer a question and give you an opportunity to return to the question to enter an answer.  After submitting your assignment, your answers will be graded automatically and your score will be displayed for you.  There will also be a "View Details" button, which will allow you to open the assignment and see which questions you answered correctly, and which (if any!) you answered incorrectly.
• You cannot proceed to the next Assignment within a module until you have scored 60% or better on the preceding Assignment.  You can repeat any Assignment as many times as necessary until a passing score is attained.  Before making an additional attempt at an Assignment, be sure to "View Details" of your current attempt (after it's been graded), in order to see where mistakes were made.
• Once you have passed (scoring of 60% or better on) the module's entire set of Assignments, you have completed that module!
• For BF290 course credit, completion of each Module is worth 1% (so you can earn 1%, 2% or the full 3%, according to the number of modules you complete).  The deadline to complete the modules is 11:59pm Wednesday December 6 2023.  We will then inform your course instructor of credit earned through completion of the modules.

Getting Extra Help to Review Math Concepts

• • No knowledge of statistics is required to complete either module.  The modules give you an opportunity to review some key mathematical skills that would be required in a statistics course, such as order of operations and working with formula.
  • Use the additional support programming offered by the MaSt if you need some assistance reviewing how to work through any of the problems, in particular, our Drop-in Help Sessions

Further Questions or Concerns?

If you have any problems working with the MapleTA system, and you can't find the answer here, please feel free to contact me and I'll try to help!

Tina Balfour,  Manager: Mathematics and Statistics Learning Support

Email:  tbalfour@wlu.ca