Distance Calculus Courses
Precalculus with Trigonometry
Applied Calculus
Introduction to Statistics
Calculus I
Calculus II
Multivariable Calculus
[Special Bridge Course: Calculus III]
Differential Equations
Linear Algebra
Probability Theory
Flexible "Rolling" Enrollment
Enroll and start the course at any time -
Distance Calculus courses are not based upon
the traditional academic calendar/semesters.
Fill out the Enrollment Application,
and start your course usually the same day!
Start Now and Finish As Fast As Your Skills Allow*
*Based upon the quality of your work, your instructor may restrict your speed through the course, as the primary requirement of progress through the course is 100% understanding and completion
Asynchronous = No Fixed Lecture/Meeting Times
No set times for course meetings
On-demand video lectures, asynchronous video chat, asynchronous course work and feedback
Many of our students work on the course for a few weeks, then take a few weeks off (e.g. job, family, etc.) then start working on the course again.
The only fixed deadline is the 8-month course completion deadline
Calculus Reform-Based Curriculum
Two Main Types of Calculus Curriculum:
TraditionalClassroom lectures, standard textbook, complete long homework problem sets "1-99 odd", emphasis on manual computations.
Reform
Begun in the early 1990s, computational tools are required, just like in a chemistry or physics laboratory. While manual computation literacy is required, the primary goal of reform curricula is to understand the concepts - experimentally, numerically, graphically, algebraically, and narratively.
Distance Calculus utilizes one of the original Reform Calculus curricula:
Calculus&LiveMath (converted from Calculus&Mathematica)
from The Ohio State University & University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana
Mastery Learning
Via "Recursive Grading",
you keep working
on an
assignment until it is
100% completed.
Sometimes perfect on the first try...
Sometimes needs one revision...
Sometimes needs multiple revisions...
Sometimes ... we need to spend more
time on a particular concept.
This approach is not viable in
a
traditional lecture classroom course
Human Interaction: Not a "Course System"
Although Distance Calculus uses
lots of technology
(computer algebra and graphing systems,
video recordings and video chat) ...
The main interaction in the course
is with the instructional team
-- all located in the U.S. --
via real-time chat and
asynchronous e-mail, notebook exchange, and screen video recording
Robert R. Curtis, Ph.D. Mathematics, University of California, San Diego
Lead Instructor, Program Director
Diane Housken, B.A. Mathematics, University of the Pacific
Lead Teaching Assistant
Intense Student/Instructor Communication
Distance Calculus is based upon communication between student and instructor
| Average # between student and instructor | |
| e-mails | 28 |
| chats | 126 |
| notebooks | 220 |
Statistics Generated from Academic Years 2010,2011
Although we are not in the same room, the level of communication between instructor and student will, in many cases, exceed the communications you may have with an instructor in a physical classroom.
Video Teaching: More Effective Than Classroom Lectures
Ever wanted to ask
the math lecturer to
go back a few steps
and
show the computations again?
With video lectures,
going back is as easy
as
dragging the slider!
Or fast-forward over the material
you feel confident about
Video instruction goes a long way
towards defeating math anxiety
Screen Sharing Videos
In addition to other forms of communication
with the instructors
(email, chat, notebook exchange),
Distance Calculus offers a unique
single-click-to-start communication tool:
Asynchronous Screen Video Recordings
Rather than trying to explain what is on your screen that you have a question about,
you can easily record a screen video with audio to
SHOW
your instructor your question -
just as if your instructor was sitting next to you and your computer.
80% Computer + 20% Manual Math = 0% Multiple Choice
80% Computer Algebra/Graphing Notebooks
The "course discussion platform" via notebook (and movie and PDF)
exchange between student and instructor
20% Paper/Pencil Manual Math
To ensure mathematical literacy, even in this modern age, transmitted via PDF, JPG Cell Phone Pictures, or Scan
80%/20% is the right mixture of modern computer mathematics and traditional manual computations
Unlike many "canned" courses, we have 0% multiple choice work - we are doing collegiate-level work, not learning to click boxes until you get the right answer and match an answer key.
8 Months To Finish - A Little More Time If You Qualify*
Some students need to finish their Distance Calculus course fast fast fast fast!
Some need extra time to absorb the course material,
and fit in course work time between
career, family, and life.
8 Months to complete your course gives you the
flexibility
needed to juggle
the many responsibilities of the modern student
Complete Your Course From
Anywhere in the World
The Proctored Final Exam is taken at your location with a proctor approved by your instructor.
There are no “on-campus” requirements
for Distance Calculus courses
Most remote student: Research station on Antarctica
Runners Up: Novosibirsk Siberia, Tierra Del Fuego, Active Duty Military (Afghanistan Forward Operating Bases; Aircraft Carriers), Japan, China, Russia, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Brazil, Angola, Nigeria, Iceland
Proctored Final Exams
Many academic institutions require online courses seeking credit transfer to have a proctored final exam
When you ask your home institution if they will accept the credits from Distance Calculus for transfer, you may be asked, "Do they have a proctored final exam?"
The answer is: Yes
The intensity of the Distance Calculus courses prepare you well for the proctored final exam. The proctored final exam may sound more scary than it really is.
Final Exam & Grades
All Distance Calculus courses are offered with earned final grades: A, B, C, D, F (no +/- grades available)
The Final Exam Requirement is multi-faceted,
with multiple Take-Home Final Exams,
and a Proctored Final Exam,
uniquely coupled with the
Mastery Learning pedagogy.
A,B,C Grade Paths help delineate FastTrack students when time is precious and deadlines are critical
NON-CREDIT versions of all of the courses are available for students who do not need the academic credits.
We have introductory videos in various places on our website, but they are all collected together
at the link below, in a central location.
All Introductory Videos
For some students,
Distance Calculus is a perfect
mixture of technology, self-paced investigatory, academic work in an asynchronous setting.
Students older than 25 years of age
tend to be much more successful
than traditional college age students.
For some students, a classroom course with set meeting times
and deadlines is best.
Learn More
This is the most common question we hear from prospective students.
The answer is usually “Yes”, but dependent upon your academic and mathematical skills. If your math skills are strong and your time commitment sufficient and consistent, you will most likely be able to meet your goal.
To be on the Fast Track to course completion,
the student must :
Obtain Instructor Permission
Submit the Highest Quality Course Work
Demonstrate Self-Mastery of the Course Concepts
Effectively Communicate With The Teaching Staff
However, we cannot provide any guarantees since our courses are Mastery Learning
based, which requires 100% completion, which sometimes requires more time than a traditionally scheduled course. Our Paramount Goal Must Always Remain The Student’s Understanding and 100% Mastery of the Course Material
(Even on the C Grade Path). Students may achieve their
deadline goals only through
academic success.
Use the “168 hour rule” to estimate a schedule for yourself, accounting for your other life responsibilities and the 2-3 hour effective per day limit.
Learn More
The short answer: Probably Yes
But you need to ask your home college/university prior to enrollment to make sure. Contact your school’s Registrar and/or Math Department to request “pre-approval” of transferring credits.
Learn More
In many ways, YES. You must be up for the challenge.
If you are looking for an easier Calculus course, perhaps a multiple choice course, then keep looking -- this is not the course for you!
Learn More
Each Distance Calculus course carries
4 Semester Hour Credits
which translates into the following average amount of course time work:
4 credit hours × 3 hours per credit per week × 14 week semester =
168 hours student course work time
Some students will require more time to complete this amount of course work. Very few students will require less course work time.
The most amount of mathematics study a student can effectively engage in is 2-3 hours per day. Any greater amount of time spent in mathematics study is usually counter productive.
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Some students do not need the academic credits and the resultant academic transcripts. We offer all Distance Calculus courses as “non-credit” courses that are exactly the same as the “for-academic-credit” versions of the courses, except without the final exams and the academic transcripts.
Non-Credit courses cost $750 with software and e-textbook included
(for-credit tuition is $1325 + software + e-textbook)
Non-credit courses also have a 1 year time limit to complete (for-credit courses have an 8-month time limit)
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You don't need a brand new computer, but a computer that is less than 5 years old will be best.
Technical Requirements:
Mac OSX 10.4 (or higher)
--or--
Windows XP, Vista, W7
--or--
Ubuntu Linux
Internet Access
Chrome, Safari, Firefox Browswers (IE Not allowed)
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Many Graduate-School-Bound students discover that they need to complete more Calculus or Statistics courses prior to starting their new degree program.
Many of these students find out about this additional requirement at the last minute.
Our Flexible Open Enrollment gets you started now in the course. Our Fast Track (If Your Skills Warrant)
gives you the opportunity to meet these unexpected requirements.
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We take great pride in assisting our military students with their educational goals and training, deployed, at sea, or stationed at home.
GoArmy, Navy, and AirForce Tuition Assistance (TA) processing is available.
Asynchronous courses which will not interfere with your job duties.
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Many Distance Calculus students begin their course work after a long break from academics. Many of our courses have a beginning Review Module from the prerequisite course.
If your prerequisite knowledge is strong and fresh, you will be able progress rapidly through this Review. If your prerequisite skills are weaker, you will have time and flexibility to strengthen those skills prior to starting the main course work.
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