Synopsis
A Unified Text That Serves Your Needs. Most colleges offering elementary and intermediate algebra use two different texts, one for each course. As a result, students may be required to purchase two texts; this can result in a considerable amount of topic overlap. Over the last few years, several publishers have issued "combined" texts that take chapters from two texts and merge them into a single book. This has allowed students to purchase a single text, but it has done little to reduce the overlap. The goal of this author team has been to produce a text that was more than a combined text. They wanted to unify the topics and themes of beginning and intermediate algebra in a fluid, non-repetitive text. We also wanted to produce a text that will prepare students from different mathematical backgrounds for college algebra. We believe we have accomplished our goals. For students entering directly from an arithmetic or pre-algebra course, this is a text that contains all of the material needed to prepare for college algebra. It can be offered in two quarters or in two semesters. The new Review Chapter found between chapters 6 and 7 serves as a mid-book review for students preparing to take a final exam that covers the first seven chapters. Finally, we have produced a text that will accommodate those students placing into the second term of a two-term sequence. Here is where the Review Chapter is most valuable. It gives the students an opportunity to check that they have all of the background required to begin in Chapter 7. If the students struggle with any of the material in the Review Chapter, they are referred to the appropriate section for further review.
About the Authors
Don began teaching in a preschool while he was an undergraduate. He subsequently taught children with disabilities, adults with disabilities, high school mathematics, and college mathematics. Although each position offered different challenges, it was always breaking a challenging lesson into teachable components that he most enjoyed.
It was at Clackamas Community College that he found his professional niche. The community college allowed him to focus on teaching within a department that constantly challenged faculty and students to expect more. Under the guidance of Jim Streeter, Don learned to present his approach to teaching in the form of a textbook. Don has also been an active member of many professional organizations. He has been president of ORMATYC, AMATYC committee chair, and ACM curriculum committee member. He has presented at AMATYC, ORMATYC, AACC, MAA, ICTCM, and a variety of other conferences.
Above all, he encourages you to be involved, whether as a teacher or as a learner. Whether discussing curricula at a professional meeting or homework in a cafeteria, it is the process of communicating an idea that helps one to clarify it.
Stefan began teaching math and science in New York City middle schools. He also taught math at the University of Oregon, Southeast Missouri State University, and York County Technical College. Currently, Stefan is a member of the mathematics faculty at Clackamas Community College where he has found a niche, delighting in the CCC faculty, staff, and students. Stefan’s own education includes the University of Michigan (BGS, 1988), Brooklyn College (CUNY), and the University of Oregon (MS, 1996).
Stefan is currently serving on the AMATYC Executive Board as the organization’s Northwest Vice President. He has also been involved with ORMATYC, NEMATYC, NCTM, and the State of Oregon Math Chairs group, as well as other local organizations. He has applied his knowledge of math to various fi elds, using statistics, technology, and web design. More personally, Stefan and his wife, Peggy, try to spend time enjoying the wonders of Oregon and the Pacifi c Northwest. Their activities include scuba diving, self-defense training, and hiking.
Barry has enjoyed teaching mathematics to a wide variety of students over the years. He began in the fi eld of adult basic education and moved into the teaching of high school mathematics in 1977. He taught high school math for 11 years, at which point he served as a K-12 mathematics specialist for his county. This work allowed him the opportunity to help promote the emerging NCTM standards in his region.
In 1990, Barry began the next portion of his career, having been hired to teach at Clackamas Community College. He maintains a strong interest in the appropriate use of technology and visual models in the learning of mathematics.
Throughout the past 32 years, Barry has played an active role in professional organizations. As a member of OCTM, he contributed several articles and activities to the group’s journal. He has presented at AMATYC, OCTM, NCTM, ORMATYC, and ICTCM conferences. Barry also served 4 years as an offi cer of ORMATYC and participated on an AMATYC committee to provide feedback to revisions of NCTM’s standards.
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