Math Lab

Monday: 9:00 am-6:00 pm
Tuesday: 9:00 am-6:00 pm
Wednesday: 9:00 am-6:00 pm
Thursday: 9:00 am-6:00 pm
Friday: Closed

To receive help with specific problems and/or topics

To review notes and improve your understanding of concepts being taught

To review and/or prepare for tests

To fill in gaps in your background

To develop and/or reinforce good math study skills

To learn how to use graphing calculators and other computer resources

To access Hawkes Learning and/or WebAssign

To take a Unit Exam (Developmental Math Only)

To support teacher instruction and supplement student learning.

To foster academic improvement and improved understanding in tutored courses.

To provide a safe, comfortable, and welcoming environment where students feel encouraged to ask for help from peer and/or tutors.

To ensure delivery of services that upholds high academic standards.

To reduce barriers of student success by responding to unique learner needs.

To increase student success in both developmental and credit level math courses.

Students must sign in to the math lab using their student ID number.

Students are expected to keep noise to a minimum in the math lab in respect of other students.  Cell phones are allowed but should be silenced.

Students are expected to work on math or other school related activities in the math lab. Preference will be given to students working on math.

Students should not expect tutors to provide answers to graded assignments such as quizzes, tests, and exams. 

Printing is restricted to school related materials only. 

“The math lab has been a great help.  The monitors are knowledgeable, polite, and happy to help.  It has been the best support I’ve had all semester." 

“I am doing well in my math course because of the math lab.  The math lab instructors are nice, easy to work with, and explain the math so well." 

“The math lab has been a great help in allowing me to succeed in my math course.  Everyone in the math lab is very helpful and the teachers were awesome.  Two thumbs up." 

Does the math lab provide one-on-one tutoring?
No.  The math lab is not designed for one-on-one tutoring.  Students are instead assisted on an “as needed basis" as tutors monitor the room.  However, in cases where the lab is not busy, students can get one-on-one attention.  If a student is seeking one-on-one tutoring, then they are encouraged to contact the Tutoring Center.

Do I need to make an appointment?
No.  The math lab is a walk-in tutoring service.  Students can simply come in, find a seat, and raise their hand for assistance from one of the tutors. 

Does the math lab have computers?
Yes.  Since many of the math courses taught at DCC use online instructional software, a computer is located at each station.

Do I need to bring anything with me to the math lab?
Yes.  In addition to a student ID, students should bring the same materials that they would take to their normal math class (i.e. notes, textbook, pencil, paper, and calculator). 

Can I get help with math outside of the math lab?
Yes.  Students can also use Brainfuse and the Tutoring Center to get assistance with math (or other courses).  Both services are offered to DCC students at no charge.

• Brainfuse
  Brainfuse is an online tutoring service that DCC offers to its students via their Canvas account.  Brainfuse provides tutoring in a variety of subjects, some of which are available 24/7.  
• Tutoring Center
  The Tutoring Center at DCC offers students one-on-one tutoring options as well as study group options for a wide variety of courses.  The Tutoring Center is located on the top floor of the Learning Resource Center (LRC).

Why are the developmental math classes taught via Hawkes Learning?
(Developmental Math Only)
By putting the students in control of the learning process and forgoing original lecture style classes, students can focus on areas of weakness and instructors are available for more one-on-one interactions with the students.

How do I best prepare for my Unit Exam?
(Developmental Math Only)
The best preparation for the Unit Exam is the Practice Exam.  We advise students to take the Practice Exam using only the approved testing materials.  Once the exam has been completed, students should review their mistakes, preferably with their instructor or a lab administrator, prior to taking the Unit Exam.

1. Be sure that you are ready to take the Unit Exam and that you give yourself enough time to take the Unit Exam.  All certifications must be completed prior to taking the exam and exams must be submitted at or before the math lab closing time.
2. Have a Photo ID ready and sit at one of the designated testing computers.
3. Have materials ready before calling the lab administrator over to enter the required password.  Approved materials include:
   • Photo ID
   • Pencil/Pen
   • Blank Loose Leaf Paper
   • 13x13 Multiplication Chart (if taking Unit 1 or Unit 2 Part 1)
   • Formula Sheet (if taking Unit 2 Part 2 or Unit 3)
   • Four Function Calculator (if taking Unit 2 Part 2 or Units 3-9)
4. The use of any unapproved materials during the Unit Exam could result in a 0 on all three Unit Exam attempts. Unapproved materials include but are not limited to:
   • Notes
   • Cell Phones
   • Scientific or Graphing Calculators
   • Four Function Calculator (if taking Unit 1 or Unit 2 Part 1)
5. Number and show all work in a neat and organized manner to be submitted to your instructor for grading.  Complete a Unit Exam slip with your name, your instructor’s name to attach to your work.
6. Once the Unit Exam has been started, you should not leave the lab until the Unit Exam is submitted.  In case of emergencies, please call the lab administrator over to make arrangements before leaving the lab.
7. When your Unit Exam is completed, call the lab administrator over to collect your work before submitting the Unit Exam. Failure to do so will result in the loss of any partial credit.
8. Once the administrator has collected all of your work, you may submit your Unit Exam.  At that time, you will be given the opportunity to review your Unit Exam with the lab administrator.

Practice, practice, and more practice
It is impossible to learn math properly by just reading, watching, and listening. To learn math, you must solve some problems. 

Attend class
Math punishes absences.  New topics are taught each class and often build on one another.  If you must miss class, be sure to set aside time to learn what you missed.

Get help fast
Don’t wait until the day before the exam or, even worse, after the exam to seek help.  Straighten out misunderstandings before they start to snowball.

Ask questions
Questions are an essential part of the learning process. If you have a question, ask it. Chances are that many of your classmates have the same question.

Analyze and understand your mistakes
Don’t ignore your mistakes.  Instead, take time to study your mistakes and figure out what went wrong.  If you don’t learn from your mistakes, then you are doomed to repeat them.

Find a study buddy or join a study group
Remember, there’s power in numbers!  Having a study buddy or being a part of a study group is a great way to keep yourself on track in any course.

Identify gaps in your background knowledge
Math will require mastery of prior content perhaps more than any other subject.  In many instances, students struggle with prior knowledge as much as they do new content.  If you notice any gaps in your background knowledge, seek help as soon as possible.      

Know what the calculator is doing
A calculator can be great tool for math; however, as with any tool, you must know how to use it.  Familiarize yourself with your calculator to ensure it is doing what you want.  Never blindly accept an answer that the calculator gives you; always analyze the calculator’s answer for validity.