LEG UP Coupon System

Little Extras Giving yoU Potential for success

This is a program for Jim Olsen's Math 123 students.

There will be at least 10 opportunities for you to earn LEG UP Coupons. Each coupon may be redeemed for either (a) a point of extra credit, or (b) permission to turn in a homework assignment late (by Monday at 4:30 p.m. following the Thursday the assignment was due). “LEG UP” is an acronym for “Little Extras Giving YoU Potential for success.”

Purpose

The purpose of the LEG UP Coupon System is to encourage students to do things in a timely manner to be successful in Math 123. For example, have a course notebook, have a study plan for exams, and use the Help Center. Students who have done these activities in the past have been successful in Math 123. Conversely, students who have procrastinated, or not done these activities, have struggled in Math 123. This is an optional program.

Ten Opportunities to Do Things in a Timely Manner to Put Yourself in a Position to Succeed (and earn a LEG UP Coupon!)

Activity
Due Date
  1. Have your book and graphics calculator in class. One day, in the first couple weeks Dr. O will give out coupons in class to those having both.†
(in class)
  1. Set up a 3-ring notebook early in the semester.*
Week 2
  1. Find out where the Math 123 Help Center is and get the signature of a tutor.*
Week 4
  1. Read the article on reserve in the library on how the brain and memory work and write at least one paragraph on what you learned from the article that can help you as a college student.*
Week 4
  1. Complete the Exam I booklet.*
Prior to Exam I or before you leave Exam I
  1. Make a written study plan and study materials for Exam I.*
before you leave Exam I or within 3 days
  1. Complete the Exam II booklet.*
Prior to Exam II or before you leave Exam II
  1. Make a written study plan and study materials for Exam II.*
before you leave Exam II or within 3 days
  1. Complete the Exam III booklet.*
Prior to Exam III or before you leave Exam III
  1. Make a written study plan and study materials for Exam III.*
before you leave Exam III or within 3 days
†For item #1, Dr. Olsen will pass these out in class.
*For the *-ed items, show your document(s) to Dr. Olsen after you turn in your exam, after class, or in office hours, and he will give you the coupon.

Guidelines and Notes

  1. Most of the paperwork and distribution of LEG UP Coupons will be done outside of class. I will distribute coupons after class and in office hours. I do not want to have this program distract from the regular instruction in Math 123.
  2. This program only supplements the Math 123 course. Coming to class, doing your homework carefully, and turning homework in on time is just as important, or more important, than the activities in this program (and you get up to 10 points every week for homework).
  3. Your name should appear on each coupon. These coupons are not transferable (you can't give or sell them to a classmate :-).
  4. Any extra credit points will be added to the student's total number of points earned. The number of points possible (the number I divide by when determining the course grade) will not increase as a result of this program, and will be the same for all students.
  5. This program is optional. This is an extra incentive program. Students need not participate. It is expected that many students will be successful in Math 123 without actually collecting the coupons.
  6. When redeeming a coupon to turn in a homework assignment late, the coupon should be attached to the assignment. Late homework, with the attached coupon, can be turned in to my office (MG 480), my mailbox in the Math Department Office (MG 476), or slid under my office door (MG 480).
  7. When redeeming coupons for extra credit, turn in all the coupons you are using for extra credit during the Fianl Exam session.
  8. If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions for improving the LEG UP Coupon System, please let me know.
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James R. Olsen
Western Illinois University
Morgan 480
PH: (309)298-2317
E-mail: jr-olsen@wiu.edu
Page updated: January 19, 2009