Aleks Math

[carol]

Has anyone used this for high school?
It doesn't give grades and each concept must
be done until it is mastered on this online
math program. How would you
give a grade for this? Planning on using this for
geometry.

Carol

[LunaLee]

We've used this before for a little bit. I'm not sure how you would grade it ...they do have worksheets you could print up for extra work, maybe you could grade those? And I think they have tests too, but I can't remember. We just used it as a supplement though, not as a core curriculum.

[Jann in TX]

If you really really want to use it for Geometry (or any other level) then use the option to print out practice problems (it will creat problems based on what they are currently working on). This way they can work 'off computer' and you can evaluate progress.

I would give a 'completion' grade (pass/fail) because it is a mastery program.

The program DOES cycle through tests every so often. You will be able to check the progress on the admin page... so you MAY be able to provide a grade based on this... but the program will automatically review any missed concepts--and even take away pie pieces if the student forgets... any missed concepts WILL be seen again.

It is also nearly IMPOSSIBLE to ever complete 100% of the pie. Close is close--be prepared to stop... but this can be frustrating to many students because they WANT to get the whole thing--and again it is nearly impossible to do!--99% or even 95% is good enough!

I'd also consider picking up a 'reference' text. Any decent Geometry text should do (I would not use Jacobs though because it teaches during the lesson)--sometimes the hints in Aleks are not strong enough.

Make sure you complete a trial first. ALEKS will give a student a problem--that they have NEVER had a lesson on before and only after the student misses the problem will it offer a hint or a mini-lesson. It is not like any other program that provides instruction and then lets the student practice... it is more like GUESS--and then I'll give you a hint type of teaching.

My girls have used it as a summer review--and I even used it for a college math review a few years ago...

[OC Mom]

Both of my kids have been frustrated with some of the teaching, so Aleks is not the best core program for us. For example, just last week I was teaching my son (7th grade) something from Dolciani Pre-Algebra. And he mentioned, "Aleks never could have explained that right." He gets a little frustrated because if don't understand something in Aleks, they just give the same explanation again - there's no going over it a different way like a teacher could do.

But I think it's a great supplement or review program. We were in a charter school during my dd's 8th & 9th grade years. She took algebra in 8th grade but didn't get credit for it because the teacher wrote up the course as "8th grade math." We didn't find this out until 9th grade started. Even though they had accepted monthly reports from me all year long detailing the algebra work she had done, they said the only way she could get credit was to take a challenge test. I was worried about her retention from the previous year, so we signed her up for a month of Aleks algebra 1, and then she absolutely aced the test! I would highly recommend it as a review program, and will probably have my kids take the SAT course for a month or two anytime they sit for that exam. (since SAT math is ostensibly a review of what you've learned in your coursework).

[WishboneDawn]

We're using it along with LOF. Hopefully that will remedy any problems with unsatisfactory explanations. As for grading, I think I'd use the worksheets and record those grades.

[carol]

Thanks ladies. My 6th grader has used the program for 2 months and
so far is doing well. He is motivated by the pie chart and progress reports.
I was sure if it'd be sufficient for high school. Some of you suggested
using a work text along side. I'd want one that is super intense since
he'd be doing the online stuff too. Could someone tell me about
the LOF? Any other suggestions?

Thanks Again