Coopersmith Linear Algebra Experience Live

[Zachcleigh]

When searching around the forum I wasn't able to find a lot of information on this course, its content, delivery etc.  A lot of people made educated guesses, but it seems like there is no actual real feedback.  I'm registered for the course, so I will be coming and updating it as I go through the course to provide an overview for anyone who takes it in the future.  
     A little bit of background.  I've taken all lower level math classes as well as Calc 1 and 2.  Math is my best subject, so other's experiences may differ.  

     The course has:
9 study modules (each contain videos and a practice test)
Final exam review
Proctored final exam
End of course survey

Hopefully this will be helpful for someone in the future.

---

Module 1:

Module 1 contains 8 videos that all link to a YouTube channel.  Pay close attention to the videos.  They have mistakes and sometimes they're corrected by popups, but others are listed in the video description field.  Not the best, but it's manageable.  

The last video for this module is Matrix-Vector Multiplication.  I was very unimpressed with this video.  I felt that it didn't give a good representation of the material whatsoever.  However,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2lJ7oSwcyY
This link covers the same topic and does a great job at it.  

The practice quiz is a good indicator of knowledge grasp.  However, I believe it has a typo.  
Problem # 5 is   
U=[-5,2]  V=[-8,-5]
What is the solution to U-2V
U-2V=[-5,2]-2[-8,-5]
V essentially has to be multiplied by the coefficient (scalar) "-2"
so the problem turns into 
[-5,2]+[16,10] = [11,12]
The practice test lists the answer as: "[11,2]
My best guess is someone failed to enter the one prior to the 2 in 12.

I'm contacting the student help email to confirm this.  
Best of luck.

[Zed]

Thanks, Zachcleigh. I’m going to try to follow along with you.

[satori]

Thanks appreciate the info.

[Zachcleigh]

Hello everyone,

          I want to first apologize.  I intended to create a beneficial series of posts related to this course offering, but life got in the way (specifically deployment).  We were getting too close to the deadline for transcripts being due at TESU, so I did an accelerated study method and took the test.

To start: I received a 73 on the exam.  
My method of study: Watch the final exam review to learn the methods of approaching the problems.  Then go to the final practice and apply the methods to solidify the concepts.  

Areas to focus on:
Know what a determinant is
Know how to solve linear systems of equations
Understand the concept of shear linear transformations
Whether or not matrices are orthogonal
orthogonal projection of a matrix on an existing matrix system.
Symmetry
Deriving a matrix from the quadratic form

These were the topics that had the most weight on the exam.  I would recommend understanding these concepts thoroughly.  If you do, you will stand a good chance at passing the exam.  

I wish any future test takers the best of luck with this endeavor.  Do not save this for your last course! If you fail the exam I believe you have to wait 2 months before you can retake it.

[udi]

Oh, great. This is going to be my last course. I am the next to take this, maybe.

[Zachcleigh]

Oh, great. This is going to be my last course. I am the next to take this, maybe.

If you have any questions post them here and I’ll try to answer them. That way we can also provide something for future prospects to look through.

[StudentOLife]

Is this course exam purely multiple choice? How many questions..?

[StudentOLife]

Thought I'd update here to save future students the hassle.

To answer my own qn: it's 33 qns, 3 points each, does not look like a multiple choice only exam.

In the middle of it, as someone without any LA experience coming with Cal 1 & 2, I was not able to grasp the concept and understanding from the videos alone. Scouting around for other courses now instead, but worried that it may not line up with Coopersmith. Wish me luck.

[Ideas]

To answer my own qn: it's 33 qns, 3 points each, does not look like a multiple choice only exam.

In the middle of it, as someone without any LA experience coming with Cal 1 & 2, I was not able to grasp the concept and understanding from the videos alone. Scouting around for other courses now instead, but worried that it may not line up with Coopersmith. Wish me luck.

Yes, most is multiple choice, but I believe that sometimes you have to provide an answer. Like on the practice exam.

You could try Khan Academy LA.

[StudentOLife]

To answer my own qn: it's 33 qns, 3 points each, does not look like a multiple choice only exam.

In the middle of it, as someone without any LA experience coming with Cal 1 & 2, I was not able to grasp the concept and understanding from the videos alone. Scouting around for other courses now instead, but worried that it may not line up with Coopersmith. Wish me luck.

Yes, most is multiple choice, but I believe that sometimes you have to provide an answer. Like on the practice exam.

You could try Khan Academy LA.

Thank you, I did go to KA, but they just don't have any practice questions, and MIT seems like overkill for Coopersmith. Just going to practice with coopersmith questions and hope for the best...!