Textbook: Calculus, Early Transcendentals, 3rd edition, by Briggs, Cochran, Gillet, and Schulz (Pearson Publishing)

In this class, students will need to access the Pearson online homework system called MyLab Math.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I purchase MyLab Math?

• MyLab Math Registration Video 
• MyLab Math Quick Student Guide

2. Are there any alternatives to purchasing a MyLab Math license?

There is a 2-week trial period that students can use, and then you will need to purchase a license before the 2-week trial period expires.

3. For what length of time should I purchase a license?

The same textbook is used for MA 16100, MA 16200, MA 16500, MA 16600, and MA 26100. If you purchase a longer license term, then you can use it for all of these courses.

(Students who have previously purchases multi-term access do not need to purchase again).

4. Do I need to purchase a physical (print) textbook?

No, an electronic textbook (eText) is included with your MyLab Math license.

• (Optional) Students can print a certain number of pages of the electronic textbook per day.

• (Optional) Students may purchase a loose-leaf edition of the textbook from the MyLab Math course link.

Setting up MyLab Math

• MyLab Math Registration Video

• Quick Student Guide to MyLab Math

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What does "Unlimited Attempts" mean?

• A student gets three “tries” on a homework question; and two “tries” if it is a multiple choice question.

• After three tries, the question is marked incorrect. However, the student has the option to choose to attempt a similar question that also has three “tries" (click the button “Similar Question”). If that similar question is answered correctly, the student will get full credit for that question.

• Note that a student can request a similar question an unlimited times - hence the “unlimited attempts.” There is no penalty for attempting a question multiple times.

2. How much time do I have to complete the quiz?

120 minutes.

3. Can I pause the quiz and come back to it?

Students have the "Save for Later" option on the quiz. They can leave and return later to complete the quiz. When students return to the quiz, they cannot access questions that they answered in earlier sessions

4. What do I do if MyLab Math isn't working?

If you have technical issues accessing MyLabMath, then you should do the following:

1. Clear your browser’s cache and cookies. Close your browser and retry. If you don’t know how to do this, just google it. The process is different for each type of browser. In case you do not want to clear cache, it may be possible that the incognito mode in Chrome works as well.

2. Try a different browser (Google Chrome and Firefox are preferred).

3. Make sure your popup blocker is disabled.

4. Getting a Session Ended/Expired Error? Follow these instructions.

5. Oftentimes Brightspace timing out causes connection issues as well. If this happens, log out and back into Brightspace.

6. Check for outages on the Pearson System Status.

7. If these common fixes don’t work, contact Pearson Technical Support.

8. Feel free to contact your TA if you have non-technical minor troubles with homework, such as if there is an issue with entering a solution to a problem, or you believe MyLabMath does not accept a solution you think is correct.

• Students will need to bring an electronic device to class that is compatible with HotSeat. Abiding by the “run what you brung” model, Hotseat allows learners to answer questions using whatever technology they have available. This gives everyone a chance to actively engage in classroom activities. 

• Compatible devices include:
  • iOS mobile app
  • SMS texting
  • desktop website
  • mobile website

• During the first week, time in lecture will be dedicated to allow students to register and practice using HotSeat. 

• More about HotSeat

Study Techniques

Study Cycles

• I highly recommend using study cycles and focused study sessions to study for this class. 

• Purdue Academic Success Center has workshops, peer success coaching, and academic consultations – all to help you improve your study habits.

• "Teach Yourself How to Learn" by Saundra Yancy McGuire. She goes into more depth about study cycles, focused study sessions, and other metacognitive strategies for learning. You can access a digital copy of the book in the Purdue library catalog.

Overlearning

• Additionally, I also recommended using a technique called overlearning.

• The idea is that you want to practice the techniques in this class beyond the point of understanding. You want to practice until the technique becomes second nature, like a habit, that you can execute the technique quickly without consulting the notes or a textbook. This will help you on the exam when there is limited time to complete the problems.

• One strategy is to set a timer and quiz yourself, using problems from the homework, textbook, or exam archive.

Tutoring Resources

TA Office Hours

• The TAs have office hours in the Math Resource Room. 

Tutoring 

• WIEP-WISP Tutoring Program

• COSINE Tutoring

• Tutors for hire at the Math Tutor List

Other Student Resources

• Desmos Online Graphing Calculator

• GPA Calculator