MA101 – Intermediate Algebra

The Dawning of a New Way to Develop Skills in Mathematics

Spring 2009

How is MA101 different?How is MA101 different?

No textbookNo textbook – Learn from an online – Learn from an online software product called ALEKSsoftware product called ALEKS

Still use pencil and paper to do your Still use pencil and paper to do your work, but you input answers into work, but you input answers into ALEKSALEKS

ALEKS provides a calculator when ALEKS provides a calculator when you need ityou need it

Using ALEKS will help you develop Using ALEKS will help you develop your computer skillsyour computer skills

ALEKS at Southeast Missouri StateALEKS at Southeast Missouri State

AAssessment and ssessment and LELEarning in arning in KKnowledge nowledge SSpacespacesWeb-based, artificially intelligent Web-based, artificially intelligent assessment and learning systemassessment and learning systemIndividualized format with one-Individualized format with one-on-one instructionon-one instructionPossible to finish the course Possible to finish the course before the end of the semesterbefore the end of the semester

How does it work?How does it work?ALEKS will determine what you know ALEKS will determine what you know and what you are ready to learnand what you are ready to learnWorking at your own pace, you work Working at your own pace, you work in class and out of class on topics in class and out of class on topics you are ready to learnyou are ready to learnIndividual help while in class from a Individual help while in class from a team of instructorsteam of instructorsALEKS will work with you to help you ALEKS will work with you to help you master the skills you need to be master the skills you need to be successful in future math classes.successful in future math classes.

ALEKS – Getting StartedALEKS – Getting Startedwww.aleks.comJava and ALEKS plug-inJava and ALEKS plug-inHigh-speed internet not necessaryHigh-speed internet not necessarySelf-registrationSelf-registrationAnswer Editor TutorialAnswer Editor TutorialInitial AssessmentInitial AssessmentNo two assessments are alike. The No two assessments are alike. The questions cannot be predicted. Each questions cannot be predicted. Each question depends upon how you question depends upon how you answered the previous one.answered the previous one.

ALEKSALEKSStudents are neither bored by working on Students are neither bored by working on concepts they have already mastered nor concepts they have already mastered nor frustrated by studying those for which frustrated by studying those for which they are not yet prepared.they are not yet prepared.

Everyone starts from what they know and Everyone starts from what they know and works through the objectives as their own works through the objectives as their own pacepace

The more time students spend out of The more time students spend out of class working on the material, the sooner class working on the material, the sooner they can finish the course.they can finish the course.

ALEKSALEKS

Time on taskTime on task

Automatic AssessmentsAutomatic Assessments

In-class AssessmentsIn-class Assessments

ALEKS – End of the semesterALEKS – End of the semesterTake an end-of-course assessmentTake an end-of-course assessment

(End-of-course) – (initial) (End-of-course) – (initial) 80 80 objectives, then grade of CR, enroll objectives, then grade of CR, enroll in MA102 next semesterin MA102 next semester

Number of objectives Number of objectives 170, then 170, then grade of CR grade of CR andand Intermediate Intermediate Algebra requirement met, enroll in Algebra requirement met, enroll in Logical SystmesLogical Systmes

Fail course, retake MA101Fail course, retake MA101

Missouri Western Student Missouri Western Student CommentsComments

ALEKS is much less intimidating than actually ALEKS is much less intimidating than actually going into a traditional classroom feeling like going into a traditional classroom feeling like you are dumb because you don’t know what you are dumb because you don’t know what the teacher is talking about. You can work at the teacher is talking about. You can work at your own pace.your own pace.

The fact that ALEKS figures out what areas The fact that ALEKS figures out what areas you are weak in and works on that with you, you are weak in and works on that with you, is a big plus compared to having to sit in a is a big plus compared to having to sit in a lecture about something you are already lecture about something you are already familiar with.familiar with.

Missouri Western Student Missouri Western Student CommentsComments

I didn’t really like the idea of an entire math I didn’t really like the idea of an entire math course on the computer when I started the course on the computer when I started the class. After only a few days I found that it was class. After only a few days I found that it was very helpful and I actually learned more than very helpful and I actually learned more than I think that I would have in a regular course.I think that I would have in a regular course.

What I liked most about ALEKS is that it What I liked most about ALEKS is that it wouldn’t move on if I didn’t understand wouldn’t move on if I didn’t understand something. That’s what was hard about a something. That’s what was hard about a normal math class, I would get so far behind normal math class, I would get so far behind because we would move on to something new because we would move on to something new each day even if I did not understand what each day even if I did not understand what was going on.was going on.

Missouri Western Student Missouri Western Student CommentsComments

I believe the developmental math I believe the developmental math program allows all of us to learn the program allows all of us to learn the way that is best for us. For example, way that is best for us. For example, I learn best by working it out myself, I learn best by working it out myself, rarely asking for help. Others need rarely asking for help. Others need someone to show them the someone to show them the problems, and that is also available problems, and that is also available to them. It’s a great program.to them. It’s a great program.

www.aleks.comwww.aleks.com