Student: ________________________ Course-Section: ______________________ Date: ___________ MATH Assignment for Core Assessment, 2017-18 Job opportunity surveys have consistently shown a high demand for those who can use mathematics to model complex processes and make informed predictions of the future. With this assignment, the student has the opportunity to demonstrate his or her level of sophistication with respect to the key, in-demand skills of communication, quantitative literacy, and critical thinking. One skill of critical thinking involves evaluating information taken from sources and questioning its authenticity. This assignment may contain questionable information. Objective: You are to consider the implications of rising tuition costs and make better, more informed life decisions with respect to course load. Specifically, you will estimate the tuition costs in the year 2019 - 2020. Answer the following questions using complete sentences. I. Visual Communication (the ability to recognize and understand ideas conveyed through visible images.) The attached set of images, “Are you on the Fast-Track?” is found on the Eastfield College website. Although figure numbers are not actually printed on the graphic, consider Figure 1 as being “Time Is Money”. This particular image will not be used in this assignment. Consider Figure 2 as relating the number of classes taken per semester to the time required to complete a degree. Consider Figure 3 as the COST graph, predicting costs of tuition (the smooth solid (red) line with an arrow.) (Perhaps writing “Fig. 2” and “Fig 3” beside these images would be helpful.) 1. Description of the image For Figure 2, “Number of classes” and Figure 3, “Cost,” identify the type of graph. Choose one of the following: line graph, bar graph, picture graph, or pie (circle) graph. a. Figure 2 is a _______________________________ b. Figure 3 is a _______________________________ c. Explain how the choice of books and caps as icons in Figure 2 affect the image’s message._________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ d. What other icons would you suggest that could convey the message of Figure 2? _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 2. Explanation (meanings and purposes of the image) a. How do you interpret the message of Figure 2 (books and caps)? _________________________________________________________________________________ b. How do you interpret the message of Figure 3 (colored lines)? _________________________________________________________________________________ 3. Consequences and Implications a. In Figure 2 (books and caps), the choice of taking 4 classes per semester (a full load) is conspicuously absent. Assuming 4 classes per sem.

1. Student: ________________________ Course-Section:
______________________ Date: ___________
MATH Assignment for Core Assessment, 2017-18
Job opportunity surveys have consistently shown a high demand
for those who can use mathematics to model complex processes
and make informed predictions of the future. With this
assignment, the student has the opportunity to demonstrate his
or her level of sophistication with respect to the key, in-demand
skills of communication, quantitative literacy, and critical
thinking.
One skill of critical thinking involves evaluating information
taken from sources and questioning its authenticity. This
assignment may contain questionable information.
Objective: You are to consider the implications of rising tuition
costs and make better, more informed life decisions with respect
to course load. Specifically, you will estimate the tuition costs
in the year 2019 - 2020.
Answer the following questions using complete sentences.
I. Visual Communication (the ability to recognize and
understand ideas conveyed through visible images.)
The attached set of images, “Are you on the Fast-Track?” is
found on the Eastfield College website. Although figure
numbers are not actually printed on the graphic, consider Figure
1 as being “Time Is Money”. This particular image will not be
used in this assignment. Consider Figure 2 as relating the
number of classes taken per semester to the time required to
complete a degree. Consider Figure 3 as the COST graph,
predicting costs of tuition (the smooth solid (red) line with an
arrow.) (Perhaps writing “Fig. 2” and “Fig 3” beside these
images would be helpful.)
1. Description of the image
For Figure 2, “Number of classes” and Figure 3, “Cost,”

2. identify the type of graph. Choose one of the following: line
graph, bar graph, picture graph, or pie (circle) graph.
a. Figure 2 is a _______________________________
b. Figure 3 is a _______________________________
c. Explain how the choice of books and caps as icons in Figure
2 affect the image’s
message._____________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
__________
d. What other icons would you suggest that could convey the
message of Figure 2?
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
__________
2. Explanation (meanings and purposes of the image)
a. How do you interpret the message of Figure 2 (books and
caps)?
_____________________________________________________
____________________________
b. How do you interpret the message of Figure 3 (colored
lines)?
_____________________________________________________
____________________________
3. Consequences and Implications
a. In Figure 2 (books and caps), the choice of taking 4 classes
per semester (a full load) is conspicuously absent. Assuming 4
classes per semester, how many years do you think it would take
to complete an Associates Degree?
_____________________________________________________
____________________________
b. For whom are Figures 2 and 3 designed?
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________

3. _____________________________________________________
___
c. What do you need to do based on the suggestion of this visual
graphic?
_____________________________________________________
__________________________
II. Quantitative Literacy (using numerical data to reason and
accurately solve quantitative problems.)
1. Interpretation
a. Explain the information presented in Table 1 (Note: Table 1-
A costs have been adjusted for inflation relative to the 2014-
2015 school year costs. Table 1-B costs represent actual costs
at that time for that specific school year.)
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
___________
b. Notice that all of the numbers in Table 1-A and 1-B differ for
the same school year period except for the last column of
$2286. Why is this?
_____________________________________________________
_________________________
2. Representation (converting information into mathematical
forms)
3. Calculations
a. Compute the average (the mean) tuition costs for public two-
year colleges, using Table 1-B.
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
___
b. Find the median of Table 1-A.
___________________________________________________

4. c. Find the mode of Table 1-A.
_____________________________________________________
d. Now round the numbers in Table 1-A to the nearest $10.
Find the mode using these rounded figures.
__________________
e. How much did tuition increase from 2004 through 2015 from
Table 1-A?
_____________________________________________________
____________________________
Find the average increase per year:
______________________________________________
f. How much did tuition increase from 2004 through 2015 from
Table 1-B?
_____________________________________________________
____________________________
Find the average increase per year:
______________________________________________
g. Using your averages in (e) and (f), estimate:
Tuition in 2019-2020 in 2014 dollars (Table 1-A):
_________________________________
Tuition in 2019-2020 in current dollars (Table 1-B):
______________________________
4. Application/Analysis
Make a judgment and draw appropriate conclusions based on the
quantitative analysis of the data in Table 1 using your math
model. Recognize the limits of this analysis.
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
___________
5. Assumptions
What assumptions were made in your estimate of tuition costs in
Part II.3.g?
_____________________________________________________

5. _____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
___________
6. Use of quantitative information
Which calculations in Section II.3 above might satisfy the
stated objective of estimating tuition costs in the year 2019-
2020? Explain.
_____________________________________________________
________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________
III. Critical Thinking (exploring issues and ideas before
accepting or formulating an opinion or conclusion.)
1. Explanation
What exactly are you being asked to do with this assignment?
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
___________
2. Evidence
What are the sources of data used in this problem?
a. Source of EFC data in Figure 3, the COST graph:
______________________________________
b. Source of data of Table 1?
__________________________________________
Are there other sources of information which could be
considered?
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
___________
3. Influence of context and assumptions
a. What mathematical assumptions do you think were made in

6. deriving Fig 3, the COST graph?
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
___
b. Compare your cost estimates in 2020 using Table 1, A and B,
(Part II.3.g) with the cost estimates in Figure 3 of the EFC
image. (The smooth solid (red) line with the arrow is the
tuition cost line.)
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
___
c. What contextual influences of cultural, social, political,
philosophical, and/or historical do you recognize?
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
___
4. Conclusions
What conclusions can be made from your analysis?
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
___________
5. Application
What do you need to do based on your consideration of the
factors in this study?
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
___________
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------
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7. -----------------------------------------------
Graphic by: Liliana Rodriguez
Page 3 of 4
TABLE 1. Average Published Tuition and Fees in Current
Dollars and in 2014 Dollars, by State, 2004-05 to 2014-15
In 2014 Dollars2004-052005-062006-07 2007-08 2008-092009-
10
2010-112011-122012-132013-142014-15
Texas$1,738$1,791$1,885$1,886$1,800$1,932$2,030$2,151$2,2
32$2,248$2,286
Table 1-A
In Current Dollars2004-052005-062006-07 2007-08 2008-
092009-10
2010-112011-122012-132013-142014-15
Texas$1,382$1,469$1,610$1,649$1,662$1,746$1,858$2,040$2,1
46$2,204$2,286
Table 1-B
SOURCE: The College Board, Annual Survey of Colleges.
Note: Average tuition and fee prices are weighted by full-time
enrollment.
Public Two-Year In-District Tuition and Fees
Public Two-Year In-State Tuition and Fees
Literacy in Media.
You have earned 0 point(s) out of 0 point(s) thus far.
Historical Development of Media in the U.S.
The Historical Foundation of U.S. Media.
With media filling our lives, from television to cellphones,
they can have undue influence on us in how we make decisions
and use our time; unless we understand how they make their
messages and how we receive them. Media literacy can be
defined here as “Understanding a message’s design, its
underlying messages and the filtering that selects what is left in
and kept out.” We start developing this literacy in you by
covering US media in the three areas of historical background,

8. grammar and commercialization.
A. The first element of literacy is understanding it's Historical
Development.
1 Media in the US developed on a for-profit basis. In the early
1800's the Us government made a fateful decision that
transportation, communication and media should all be operated
by private corporations, rather than the government. This
followed the philosophy of small government and has been
maintained since.
a. In 1840 the first successful telegraph line between
Washington and Baltimore was funded by the government, who
then handed it over to private development, which became the
Western Union monopoly. This pattern was maintained for later
systems of railroads, telephone systems, radio and television
networks, and the internet. A result of this is systems that focus
first on profitability rather than a less-clear concept of "public
good". For example the Public Broadcasting system in the US
received approximately $1.40 per citizen in funding. Most of its
revenue comes from corporate and individual donations, making
it difficult to compete with entertainment networks for audience
share.
Compare this to the alternative British Broadcasting
Corporation model which receives tax revenue at a level of
approximately $16 per citizen.
b. Other countries chose to follow different patterns of direct
government control. This is seen today in systems such as the
popular German rail system, BBC television and France
Telecom, the national government-owned telephone system.
c. Regulation is an attempt by the government
to counteract the negative effects of for-profit forces that can
work against the public good. This is a continual conflict

9. between the concept of "public good" and for-profit
organizations.
i. The most common regulation is anti-trust to try to prevent
Monopoly systems limiting what the public gets. For example
Newscorp, parent of Fox, has had to work around regulations by
limiting its ownership of both television stations and
newspapers in one market, and keep from gaining too much
control in media delivery.
ii. Recent regulation on Net neutrality was used to keep ISP
systems, such as Comcast, from throttling your internet speed,
charging more for sites such as Netflix, filtering sites, etc. That
has helped prevent the internet being run like cable television:
2. Sociocultural influences direct what is developed as much as,
or more than, pure reason would dictate. The specifics of a
culture can make media decisions that aren't predictable by
business calculations.
a. Videoconferencing is a good alternative to the expensive and
time-consuming flights needed for face-to-face meetings. Yet in
the US these were little used because of the popular appeal of
'business travel'. Only after business expense cutbacks and the
9/11 flight limits, was videoconferencing commonly used. It
was found to work fine and was cheaper.
b. The telephone was designed as a business device in the U.S.
The company even developed a series of advertisements to train
people how to communicate briefly for quick commercial
purposes only.
But the culture of people here kept using the telephone for
social calls and personal interaction until finally the system had
to accommodate them.

10. c. The US is more comfortable with having limited privacy than
other cultures. Thus we have fast-growing use of Youtube
submissions, Google sites that provide information on ourselves
and homes, and sites such as Facebook that favor very little
personal privacy in favor of publicity. This is less popular in
Europe and their searches and websites are different in what
you can find because of it.
3. Technological development is stifled by inertia. Once a
system is in place, it tends to limit development of alternatives.
Our internet systems, for example, are slower than much of the
world as ours is built on the slower systems of telephone and
cable systems.
a. The US is ranked 26th for internet speed and penetration. Our
early systems of telephone and cable at “good enough” levels
keep us from putting in better systems like South Korea has.
b. People use older internet browsers not because they are
better, but because they are comfortable and familiar with what
they first experienced. They often stop looking for better
alternatives.
B. Digital media is the biggest concern in media today because
it threatens all pre-existing business models.
1. Prior media systems depended on controlling access to a
limited amount of content. They profited by providing what was
difficult for the public to get.
i. A small town with a single movie theater offered usually only
2 films per week. With such limited choice, many people would
pay to see whatever was offered.

11. ii. Most towns have only one newspaper. They can charge more
to advertisers and subscribers who want local news.
iii. Television networks in the 1960's had only 3 networks. If
you wanted entertainment or news at home, these were your
only choices.
2. Digital systems provide a variety of media forms anywhere,
at any time, at very low cost. Providers must essentially adapt
to this new system or perish.
i. Digital books have already become popular enough to result
in the closing of bookstores and bypass traditional editors and
reviewers. With free digital books online, the pressure to
change quickly for old book systems is intense.
ii. Digital news means that you can find news at anytime and at
your convenience: cable, internet, twitter, etc. The developing
news sites blend entertainment, news and user commentary
together in a form completely foreign to past newspaper and
television news patterns.
iii. Youtube is taking over, for some, from television
programming. Dashcam videos, fail videos, etc are popular
enough that some people find them more entertaining than 19
Kids and Counting, or Keeping Up With the Kardashians.
3. Regulation will be a concern in this digital system to try to
maintain a public good. The Digital Divide is a problem
whereby those with the least education and income, or even just
limited access to the internet, can leave them substantially
behind in their information and ability to participate. This is
already seen in some areas as fast-moving systems are leaving
some elements of our society behind. Those who have only the
old systems, such as cable television, will be less informed and
less involved in our society.
The US experiment in media is that it has allowed for private

12. development and operation of systems. This has given us
service, but not necessarily better in access or content than
other systems. The challenge in the future is with digital
systems to try to develop these for the public good while
maintaining the approach of private companies and limited
government regulation.
Literacy in Media.
You have earned 0 point(s) out of 0 point(s) thus far.
Media Grammar
The second element in developing your Media Literacy is to
increase your understanding of Media Grammar. In writing
your grammar knowledge allows you to know how to identify
formal, business writing as compared to casual writing. You
have a variety of levels you can operate within such as research
reports, friendly letters and brief messages. This ability to
operate on multiple levels in digital media requires you to know
the formats, styles and expectations to meet.
A. Each communication medium presents its ideals in a distinct
way that has identifiable patterns.
1. Print media developed over a period of centuries and have
many subtle cues that most of us can interpret.
a. Spacing, size and font selection are all important in our
reception of a message. We know that Comic Sans 14 is very
different in its appeal than Ariel 10. The Times New Roman
font is more “ink efficient” than Ariel.
b. Newspapers built on standard expectations of font type and
story writing by adding expanded graphics and shortened
stories. This has especially increased since the 1980’s, as seen
in the following comparison, in order to compete with
television.

13. i. Some of the more subtle expectations of news grammar is that
the first story is most important in newspapers and magazines,
with later stories considered as less significant. In addition any
story that is not of that day counts for less, regardless of how
much research and detail has gone into it.
2. Audio media needs dramatic elements to capture audience
interest. With print media we can easily see stunning photos and
read startling stories. Audio media, such as radio and music,
need to capture our attention with their own unique appeals.
a. Sound effects are used to heighten the effect of stories. This
was used in radio plays and is often found with radio news
emphasizing sounds such as gunfire to grab attention. It
provides little information, just emotional appeal. You can find
almost any sound effect you can think of to add appeal to your
creations.
b. Music emphasizes Dramatic singing as if your life depended
on it, or uses autotune to create unique effects not found in
nature. The more competition there is, the more dramatic you
need to be to get noticed.
2000~11 Best Korean Drama Soundtracks(50 Songs)
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14. occurred.</h1><div class="submessage"><a
href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYHo27cEgZY"
target="_blank">Try watching this video on
www.youtube.com</a>, or enable JavaScript if it is disabled in
your browser.</div></div>
c. Music formats are associated with different ages and cultures.
We have learned to expect Jazz to be for older and hipper
audiences, classical for more educated, dance music for younger
audiences. You can see the stability of these expectations when
car advertisements use particular music backgrounds to appeal
to a target audience.
d. Talk radio is competing with many other forms of
entertainment and information. In order to succeed it uses
dramatic delivery. Most common is the use of outrage and
creative delivery over current events. It succeeds on an
emotional basis rather than an informative one.
3. Visual media conveys information through subtle design
elements. By identifying these elements we can see how the
message is constructed and if it is being artistic, or
manipulative. See if you can identify any other visual keys
besides the 3 following.
a. Having very fast cutting of shots tells us that a scene is
exciting. If not done well it can tell us that a scene is largely
pointless. Slower cutting shows more emotion and emphasizes
the story. Watch any one of Key & Peel's clips and identify a
visual factor that influenced your evaluation.
b. The camera viewpoint favors one subject over others. Note
how the simple shooting up or down at a subject influences how
we evaluate the subject.
2
c. The placing of people or objects on the right side of the

15. screen indicates that they are more important. What is on the
left is almost always less so. Almost every talk show, for
example, uses this basic set design.
B. The Digital grammar is still developing and so we have the
opportunity to see the standards being created. Can you identify
any one element of a website or digital communication that
clearly identifies the originator as professional or amateur?
1. General rules are already being seen in digital grammar: We
expect in a Website that the logo is in the upper left of the
screen. Hypertext is underlined, regular text is not. Standard
icons are used for printing, zooming, etc. Emoticons in texts are
shorthand for feelings.
2. Multimedia: It is very easy to combine sight, sound and
print in digital media. What is unclear is how to do this and
emphasize the key ideas while maintaining interest. Public
likes visual the most so most formats highlight video, pictures,
graphs. Compare the two websites below and see what elements
work best to attract you but not deter you getting the important
ideas.
3. Interactivity is an increasing part of digital media. With the

16. ability for media to have users customize their experience, those
media that allow this are more popular. What is yet to be
determined is how much control the user wants. Is the google
news website, for example, one that appears professional and
desirable in how much you can interact with it?
Knowing grammar is recognizing the tools used to construct a
message. The best messages used these tools well to
communicate ideas and emotions. The lesser messages use them
just to grab audiences without much concern about the quality
of the messages. You will be learning digital media grammar as
it develops in your lifetime.
Questions: Describe one element of a good website that you
expect. It may be a clear "buy now" placement or a clear search
function. Name one site that you find has this element done
especially well.