Collin+Owens

9/6/09 This last week, while I was doing home work, I felt like I had a pretty good grasp on almost everything that we learned. But there are few things I struggle with, I mix up the rules of addition and multiplication sometimes. I don't know if there is a catchy phrase like p-e-m-d-a-s to help me to remember that but that is one thing I would like to possibly review to get a better understanding.

And one more thing is the associative property and the commutative property. that question on the test to explain commutative was challenging. I don't know which is which at first glance. I have to look in the book and see a example to refresh my memory. but these are things I'll probably have to work on on my own. In closing I wanted to say the willingness to help our teacher has is exactly what I was looking for, I haven't had a formal math class for a few years so I'll take all the help I can get.

Note from Cory: The properties will not be very important for the rest of the semester, except that you need to remember how to do the distributive. What will be important is Order of Operations and the addition and subtraction of integers.

9/13/09

The first day in class, when we started chapter two, everything was way over my head and I wasnt catching on at all. but as the week has gone on by doing home work, and some help from the math lab. I feel like I've been able to understand how the variables, coefficients and all of that apply and need to be done properly in each problem. it turns out that x's and y's aren't as hard as I thought at first. but I do think It would be a good thing to have a like review on a tuesday to prepare for the tests or even a web page where we can practice to help us remember.

I went to the presentation the Math Lab put together friday, that was pretty cool. I think that I'll deffinately take 990 and not jump to 1000 but we'll see if that changes as the semester goes on.

9/20/09

Alright, story problems are kicking my butt to say the least. I can usually figure out the problem but I have a hard time figuring out the formula. I do feel like I'm understanding math alot better then I have in the past. and also catching on alot faster. Thats how I feel atleast. I guess the math test might tell me other wise. I want to know if the teacher thinks I've caught on the the other things I've had trouble with in weeks past?

Is there a better way for me to understand how to do story problems? I think it would help to maybe go over it a little bit more so I could catch on. I've been trying to get help in the math lab and I can kinda remember it when I'm in there but as soon as I go home I can't remember anything. I don't want you to have to take time out of class just for me, so I hope I'm not the only one having trouble.

Cory: You're not alone, however, I don't mind taking time out of class for one person, either. As for how to do story problems easier, I think the quickest help is to draw pictures of what is going on. Usually it helps to have a visual/logical understanding of what is going on to turn it into a mathematical equation.

9/29/09

Cory I totally spaced my learning log. my weekend has been crazy with dental work and new callings in my ward. I know that is still no excuse.

I was having a hard time with simplifying before I do the problem.. like this. 1 devided by 3 8 6 this now makes sense after countless hours in the math lab. I swear that places its gods gift to UVU. I'm here in the math lab now finishing up the home work. I really like the last chapter 4.8 figuring out volume and area makes sense to me. I know that if something is 15 inches deep, 12 inches high, and 70 inches wide is or = 12,600 inches cubed. That type of math makes sense cause its almost tangable for me and visual too, and that makes a big difference in my case. I feel like I'm understanding it more when I have to explain it in words sometimes. Cause then I'm able to really think about it and kind of implant it in my memory. I'm not saying I fully understand it and I'm going to ace the test today but I think it will help me do a little better maybe.

p.s. I am really upset with myself for having a late learning log I was wondering if there was a way I could get some extra credit or make up this log.. thanks again for the help and all of the time that you take with us on home work...

10/04/09

This week home work wasn't to bad, but I hear it's only going to get worse. I spent a few hours in the math lab this week learning how to solve for "X" properly. I think I've been able to understand the concept a little better atleast, I still don't think I've got it down pat, but I think its a good start. I'm really starting to enjoy math. I was really nervous starting college with out a whole lot of formal schooling but the help I recieve from class mates and Mr. Little has made this experience better then I ever imagined. I'm anxious for the next few weeks of math; hoping I'll be able to understand it and do a little better on this test then ones in the past.

On the 12 of October I'm getting my wisdom teeth out and I'll have to miss tuesdays class I think is there any tips you can give me so I don't fall behind? Thanks again for being such a great teacher and I'll try and keep your rating up ;)

10/11/09

Once again solving for "x" became a little bit of an issue. I am still studying on that subject every chance I get. alright this weeks home work I think was pretty easy. atleast the first few sections. I'm just stuck on two problems.. the last two in chapter 5.10 I bet I've done the problems 10 times and I fixed my mistakes as I went along but now I think I've got it right but I still can't match the answers in the back of the book. I'll figure it out tonight cause it's my last chance before it due. I'm curious on how you think my standing in class is. I'm open to any suggestions to help my understanding to improve my grades.

I think I have a pretty decent understanding on chapter five, but the only way to tell for sure is take the test. I'm going to try my hardest to make it to class tuesday. I wish we had class thursday; cause I know I could use the help! Thanks again for all that you do for me and the class.

10/18/09

I nearly forgot about the learning log this week. luckily I left a note on my computer or I would have been hating life in the morning. I am glad we had a long weekend but at the same time not having class has made my ambition for math dwindle. One thing I noticed about all my tests is that I remember the order of operations during home work. but when I test it seems like I forget them and just want to solve left to right. I'm glad were able to come ask you questions or else my test scores would be way down. I appreciate your help and corrections. I like that you dont flat out tell us what we did wrong but you make us look for it so we notice things. I dont always catch it the first time but it really makes you break down each step in your mind. I'm going to go over the paper you gave us for the mid term to get get my mind thinking math maticly agian for tuesdays class. and for the midterm to follow later.

10/25/09

Midterm... Kicked my butt.. stupid rules that just slipped my mind from to much worrying and alot of stress from other classes. I forgot that when you're adding or subtracting fractions you need a comon denominator. I felt so dumb afterwards when I talked to you about it. One thing I felt like I did better on was Solving for "X". I have had a hard time doing that cause I tend to rush it. when I need to take my time making sure I obey all the rules.. PEMDAS I mix up sometimes making it more like MASPED haha. As weeks pass its intesting to see the math that comes easy and the parts that are more complicated. and to see what comes easy and hard to my classmates. The simple rules are what I most comonly forget. I know that sounds rediculous but its true. Like I've said before I love doing suare area and volume that just seems to come easy to me.. I'm nervous to see the mid term but oh well. live goes on. its no big deal.

11/1/09

This weeks home work has been the best week thus far. I went into the math lab, as usual, jut incase I ahve any questions someone is there to help. I finished my home work in about an hour and only had to ask 2 questions. I was very proud of myself. the notes I took in class and the visual flexing method you used in class are what helped the most. haha. But I do feel like I have a slight problem with rates and ratios. I just want to divide everything~.. when I'm not suppose to. Is there and thing t help me remember? maybe something like if the zero is under its "underfined'? also I'm excited about the test this week cause we can ask questions if we get stuck. I wish that were the case in all math classes. I appreciate the help you give us once again. I think your the best math teacher out there.

11/8/09

Yikes the second week in November. Life has flown right past me! And So has this chapter... I dont even know where to start. I have a hard time knowing when to put it in ratio form and I also forget to move the decimal over. or I have trouble with converting it to whatever percent.. Its really just been a bugger for me. I spent 5 hours in the math lab friday and hopefully another 5 monday to beat this into my brain. I really enjoy math once I'm able to catch the concept but man I'm struggling with this section. I'm more then willing to put in the time needed to pratice thats not a problem but I dont know why it is so difficult for me to understand.. I'm trying to ween myself away from asking so many questions during the test, cause like you said thats not a real life situation. So come tuesday I'm hoping I grasp this enough to minimize my questions.

11/15/09

Well math this week was pretty easy. I was worried at first trying to learn a new math system. I mean I'm already having a hard time with the one we use in our own country! haha but turns out its not so bad.. I rather enjoyed converting temperature and volumes of liquid. it was pretty fun to have that change of pace.. all the problems seemed pretty easy. most were an even number so I wasn't able to always check my answer but I feel pretty good about it all. Having two chapters in one test might be a little challenging. I'm axious but also nervous to see the result!

11/23/09 My internet at home blocks wiki spaces. urgh! makes me mad.. anyways I feel pretty good about this chapter 9 part.. its not has hard as I thought. I will go to the math lab tomorrow just to remind myself of everything. I didn't have to hard of a time with chapter eight home work. I am nervous about two tests in one! graphing out the points is the easy but finding slope is going to be a touch more challenging.I hope I can remember that and instill it in my brain somehow. pam showed us a formula that I'm trying to memorize. but I do slip a step every now and then. I can't beleive we are so close to the end.. ah! kinda scary. like always your a great teacher and I wish you taught 990!

11/24/09

After our chat I decided I should do my learning log before I left the school. I wont lie I am a little intimidated by your comments and I'm worried to see what next semester brings.. heck I probably wont be able to eat thanks giving cause I'm so nervous about the final. I don't know how I can open up to learn how to recognize what kind of problems I am looking at during a test. I think that will break me. well it actually already is. maybe I am just stuck in my ways? I don't know how to change that. I will be practicing this forever over the break. for someone who loves and wants a career that includes a massive amount of math I really suck at it. I am feeling kind of hopeless right now, my confidence I had, has quickly faded.I enjoy finding area and volume. but heck thats easy for anyone. Do you think a tutor would help? I'm willing to go to any extent I need to. I know its not something cured over night, but I don't want to put this off. I appreciate your help and I appreciate you pointing this out. I was blind to it. Well My log isn't over my computer is just about to die.

12/05/09

I like home work :) I actually liked it alot.. it seemed pretty easy as we did it in class, but then again its always easier cause I can ask you questions. I have been studying for this next test hoping I can think on my own this time and trying to remember how to do each type of problem and remembering how to tell them apart!! I'm nervous as always. I can't believe this is our last chapter test.. I thought we'd never get through that freaking book.haha but time has passed so quickly. I think one of my weaknesses this time will be remembering to pemdas.. maybe I'll just write it down.. one thing I think I will remember is that the exponent only applies to the variable or number right in front of it unless it is out side the whole thing.. I really hope I'm prepared for this..

12/13/09

The semester has came and gone! I never thought I would live to see chapter ten. but I did. I made it through fairly easily I thought, of course with your help. I just printed off the final review so I can practice that for the next two days. I don't think I will ace this test but I don't think I will do bad. I am pretty confident with multiple choice and all of the subjects that are included.. I guess we'll see come tuesday. I think one part that will make me really think is mean and mode.. some reason I just get those mixed up.. I really have appreciated your class and all the time you have given to us and for your incedible teaching ability. thanks again for all you do.. I better get back to provo before I get snowed in at my parents house again.!