A Comparison of Approaches for Teaching Remedial Courses at the College Level

Abstract

When arithmetic, elementary algebra, and intermediate algebra are taught at the college level, they are considered remedial. At some colleges pre-calculus courses (al-gebra and trigonometry, elementary functions, and so on) are also considered remedial. This article will describe several approaches to teaching such courses and will point out pros and cons of each. The views are pragmatic, based on experiences and reactions of students and instructors. While the experiences on which the article is based are at the college level, the courses dealt with are at the high school level. It is felt that what is said applies both at the high school and at the college level.