An MS Word version of this document (Temporary – will be posting as PDF in a day or two) may be found HERE.

 

·   Locate and explore the Course Website – Start at http://www.aims.edu, log in as a student, click on My Courses tab, select this course, and enjoy!  Familarize yourself with the main menu bar:

o       Beginnings – A quick checklist for the first week of class.  This document.

o       Classlist – Shows who's in the class, including me (Harry Mills).  It's where I go to send you e-mail, and you can send ME e-mail by clicking on the "Mills, Harry" link in the classlist.

o       Discussions – Where you and I and your classmates will interact.  In the first few weeks of class, especially, I've found that students are very good at helping each other get started.

o       MyLab/Mastering – The entry page to where the homework and lessons live.

o       Practice Tests – Tests from last semester.  This is also where this semester's tests and solutions will be posted.  Students report that this is an essential bridge between interacting with a computer online  and actually proving to another human being that you can understand and write the mathematics.

o       Schedule – Aligns the calendar with the work we need to do this semester.  Deadlines for tests are listed, here.

o       Survey – Near the end of the semester, you need to fill out the survey.

o       Syllabus – Detailed information on this course, including grade scheme, rules of the game, and other material.

o       Writing Projects – everything you need to complete your 4 writing projects.  This course isn't all just point-and-click.

 

·   From the front page of the course website on MyAims, follow these links under Aims Resources, which are listed in a column on the far left of your screen.

o       Aims Online Course Tool Tutorials.  If you scroll to the bottom of the page you will see links to online help with Discussions, Dropbox, etc.

o       Check your System.  Make sure your hardware and software are up to snuff.

 

·   Acquire a textbook and access to CourseCompass, and register.  CourseCompass is where lessons and homework assignments live.  The Course ID is mills69334.  There are different strategies for getting it done:

o       Buy the book new at the College Bookstore.  It will come with access to CourseCompass included in the price.

o       Buy a used book and purchase the access code separately at the College Bookstore.  You might not find this saves you much money.

o       Buy a used book and purchase access online at http://pearsonmylabandmastering.com/ There are some 1st editions floating around.  They're similar, but some of the topics have been switched around ("Variation" was moved from Chapter 2 to Chapter 1, for instance).

o       Purchase access without a textbook  and just use the e-book that is provided on the website.  (Cheapest option)

 

·   Get started on homework on MyLab site, starting with the Orientation exercises, and proceeding to Chapter 1.  This should familiarize you with the homework tools, including the mathematical palette.  There's individual help on homework, including "Help me with this problem," "Show me an example," "Show me a video," and "Ask my instructor."  You'll like it.  I'm not spending a lot of time explaining this part to you.  I think you'll get up-to-speed more easily by exploring and asking questions..