X101: Learning Strategies for Math

• Semester course
• 2 credit hours
• Letter grade
• In addition to scheduled class times, students will attend a one-hour peer learning group weekly (times to be arranged)
• Additional support is provided in the form of specific M118 tutors who are reserved and assigned to work only with X101 students.
• For information related to current sections, dates, and times, you can consult the Schedule of Classes under Insite. When using the Schedule of Classes to review any current section listing of courses on campus, you will need to know the department (EDUC) and course number (X101) and title (Learning Strategies for Math).

This course is designed to help students become more active, independent problem solvers interested in truly understanding the mathematical concepts in contrast to a passive approach that relies on memorization, learning step-by -step procedures, and outside authority.

Course activities not only allow students to develop skills for "finding" the "right" answer, but encourage them to focus on the processes used. Students will be encouraged to become aware of, reflect upon, and consciously direct thinking and problem-solving efforts. This will be done primarily through expressing mathematical ideas orally and in writing as well as describing how answers are reached or the difficulties encountered while trying to solve a problem. In addition, students' beliefs about the nature of mathematics and themselves as learners will be addressed, as well as math study skills and strategies for coping with math/test anxiety and various lecture styles.

Almost any student can benefit from this course. However, it is strongly recommended for students with an IUBMath Skills Assessment score of 10, 11, 12, or 13 and a Math SAT score below 500 (Math ACT below 21) or students with an IUBMath Skills Assessment score of 8 or 9 and a Math SAT score equal to or above 500 (Math ACT equal to or above 21). Also the course will be particularly helpful to students who have not taken a math course in several years, who last took M014 or J113, who failed or withdrew from M118, who have math anxiety, or who fear M118.

Professional opportunities are created by learning mathematics and by becoming capable problem solvers. The overall college experience will be assisted by the confidence and self-directed learning skills that are developed.