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About the Lumberjack Mathematics Center
Welcome
COVID-19 updates & resources
Rest assured, NAU is committed to our students’ success and to ensuring a successful completion of the spring semester.
We are implementing a number of measures to ensure we continue to deliver the high-quality education our students need to keep them on track for graduation, as well as focus on the health and safety of our NAU community.
On March 16, 2020 President Cheng sent a message to faculty and staff with the latest updates on our campus operations amid the evolving situation with COVID-19 (Coronavirus). We understand that moving to digital, online, and remote instruction and learning can be new to some and, as such, presents challenges and opportunities for both faculty and students. You can find additional information and resources at the NAU COVID-19 webpage and the Office of the Provost webpage.
LMC COVID-19 Policy Changes FAQs for spring 2020
Can I still come to the LMC for in-person help? Accordion Closed
No. We are offering virtual tutoring using Zoom. You can still contact the LMC Front Desk for tutoring appointments from 9:00AM-5:00PM Monday- Friday through email at lumberjackmathcenter@nau.edu. We will also be offering extra tutoring hours during Reading Week 4/27-5/1 from 5:00PM-8:00PM.
Is the LMC Testing Room Open? Accordion Closed
No. We will be adhering to University-wide testing protocols once they have been established.
Is the new “online” version of my class taught at the same time? Accordion Closed
Your instructor will be available via Zoom during your regularly scheduled class time. You are not required to attend this specific class meeting. A recording of this meeting and other resources will be available in BbLearn.
What about Lab time and attendance minutes? Accordion Closed
Lab time for LMC courses is not required for the rest of the semester. Your attendance grade through week nine (March 13th) will be your total attendance grade for the semester.
How can I get help for my LMC course? Accordion Closed
Office hours are scheduled for your specific course (class section) Monday-Thursday. Please see your BbLearn shell for specific instructor and Math Jack times.
You can schedule a 45-minute one-on-one appointment with a Math Jack by emailing lumberjackmathcenter@nau.edu.
You can contact the Academic Success Center to schedule a one-on-one appointment with one of their tutors at (928)-523-5524.
How do I schedule a 45-minute tutoring appointment with a Math Jack? Accordion Closed
Email the LMC Front Desk at lumberjackmathcenter@nau.edu between 9:00AM and 5:00PM Monday-Friday. We will get you paired up with a Math Jack in a virtual meeting using Zoom Video Communications. Please request this with your NAU email account and/or include your student UID (e.g. abc123).
Where can I go to use a computer? Accordion Closed
General computer labs across campus are open and operational. You can find a list of locations and other information on their website at https://in.nau.edu/its/computer-labs/.
The LMC at Northern Arizona University
The Department of Mathematics and Statistics has redesigned four of its first-year mathematics courses to help students master the subjects:
These courses will combine in-class instruction with lab time in the Lumberjack Mathematics Center, where students have access to valuable resources, including instructors and math tutors.
Math course details
MAT 100 Accordion Closed
In MAT 100 students have one required weekly meeting in the lab room using the most current and innovative software. Students spend the rest of their required time in the Lumberjack Mathematics Center. Instructors, tutors, and software help tools are available to provide immediate assistance.
MAT 108 Accordion Closed
In MAT 108 students have one required weekly meeting in a classroom in which they explore some of the core concepts in groups through lessons and hands-on activities. Students spend the rest of their required time using the most current and innovative software in the Lumberjack Mathematics Center. Instructors, tutors, and software help tools are available to provide immediate assistance.
MAT 114 Accordion Closed
MAT 114 students meet once a week in a classroom. They spend the rest of their required time in the Lumberjack Mathematics Center to complete their mathematics problems and projects with help from their instructor and tutors.
MAT 125 Accordion Closed
In MAT 125 students have two required weekly meetings in a classroom in which they explore some of the core concepts in groups through lessons and hands-on activities. Students spend the rest of their required time using the most current and innovative software in the Lumberjack Mathematics Center. Instructors, tutors, and software help tools are available to provide immediate assistance.
More information Accordion Closed
All students in the newly redesigned classes are required to spend time in the Lumberjack Mathematics Center during Open Lab hours outside of their regular scheduled class times. Instructors and tutors are available to help students at all times.
The Lumberjack Mathematics Center has over 300 computers and is located in the brand new Student and Academic Services building. There are quiet study rooms and comfortable seating areas for students to enjoy just outside of the classrooms and lab.
Course design philosophy Accordion Closed
Students in our newly designed courses learn by doing mathematics – a lot of mathematics. Research has shown that the essence of learning is doing, rather than passively listening. [1]
Former President Haeger called for instructional innovation to better address the way that today’s students learn. He believes that effective use of technology is a key tool in increasing student retention and success. In his September 14, 2011 Campus Address he announced a new project for freshman mathematics courses: a mathematics course redesign using an emporium model.
National Center for Academic Transformation (NCAT) characteristics and goals Accordion Closed
The new course design is based guidelines from the National Center for Academic Transformation (NCAT). The NCAT has worked with several universities nationwide on course redesign. They estimate that over 160,000 students have participated in one of the 120 redesigned courses. They report that course redesign:
- improves student learning
- increases course completion
- improves retention
- improves students’ attitudes toward the subject
- increases student satisfaction with the mode of instruction
NCAT characteristics and goals for a new course design, which we follow, include:
- restructuring of the whole course, not just a single class
- emphasizing active learning – greater student engagement with the material and one another
- relying heavily on readily available interactive software, used independently and in teams
- mastery learning – it is not self-paced; there are deadlines
- increasing on-demand, individualized assistance from instructors, tutors, and software
- automating only components that can benefit from automation (e.g., homework, quizzes, exams)
- replacing a single mode of instruction with several different types
- enhancing quality by individualizing instruction
- assessing students’ knowledge in much smaller units
- providing feedback and direction to allow students to make up for specific deficiencies
- giving students help numerous hours per week
- improving the course as it proceeds
We would like to add our own goals to this list:
- improving mathematics learning
- helping students succeed in subsequent courses
[1] Thiel, Teresa; Peterman, Shahla; Brown, Monica. Addressing the Crisis in College Mathematics: Designing Courses for Student Success. Change, Jul/Aug2008, Vol. 40 Issue 4, p44-49, 6pIn an era when students can easily grab material online, including lectures by gifted speakers in every field, a learning environment that avoids courses completely—or seriously reshapes them—might produce a very effective new form of college.