Student Orientation to ALEKS Placement, Preparation and Learning (ALEKS PPL)

Agenda What is ALEKS PPL? 1 Getting Started 2 3 Prep and Learning Modules 4 Key Tips for Success 5 Registration and Resources

What is ALEKS PPL?

Hello and Welcome! This brief walkthrough will help you to become familiar with the ALEKS Placement, Preparation and Learning (ALEKS PPL) program and how it will be used as your math placement tool. It will also assist you with the registration process and direct you where to go for help. ALEKS PPL is here to help you succeed in math. This program gives you the opportunity to place into the math course you are most ready for, and helps you refresh any math knowledge you may have forgotten. You will spend time learning in the Prep and Learning modules, then reassess to place into your desired course. Check out the introduction video.

What is the ALEKS system? ALEKS stands for Assessment and Learning in Knowledge Spaces. It is an individualized, adaptive learning tool that is unlike any other online program available today. Think of it as a human tutor designed to help you learn math. ALEKS uses artificial intelligence to determine what you know, what you don’t know, and what you are most ready to learn. ALEKS then creates a personalized learning plan that gets you to the finish line in the most efficient way. To make sure that you remember what you learn in the Prep and Learning modules, ALEKS will check your knowledge. These Knowledge Checks are designed to help you, so take them seriously! Treat ALEKS well and it will treat you well.

Getting Started

ALEKS PPL Survey Once you register with ALEKS PPL, the system will guide you through your next steps. First, you will complete a Survey. It’s purpose is for your institution to collect information about you as a student. It does not impact your Placement Assessment.

Tools Tutorial Next, you will take a brief Tools Tutorial. This will show you how to use the tools you will encounter while using ALEKS. During the Placement Assessment, Select the ? Button in the tools palette if you need help with using the tools. It will not affect your results.

The Placement Assessment Now you will begin your Placement Assessment. It’s purpose is to figure out what you know and don’t know, so that you are placed into a course for which you are prepared. Take the ALEKS Placement Assessment seriously so that the system can accurately measure your knowledge of material. If you don’t, you will risk being placed in a course you are not ready for, or a course that is too easy for you.

Assessment Results After you finish the Placement Assessment, you will see your results. This represents your current knowledge of math material. Your score will determine in which course you are eligible to enroll. Select the Learn More at Your Institution’s Webpage to see full details on what your score means. You will have more opportunities to improve your score!

Prep and Learning Modules

The Prep and Learning Module You will enroll in a Prep and Learning Module to help you refresh and learn new topics. You will have six months of access from when you select the Start button. Use this opportunity to begin your class with a strong level of knowledge or to help you score higher on your next Placement Assessment.

Module Home Page Once you are enrolled in a Prep and Learning Module, you will see your home page. The ALEKS Pie shows what you know based on your first Placement Assessment. Each Pie Slice has three sections: Dark = topics mastered on a Knowledge Check or Placement Assessment Light = topics learned in Learning Mode Grey = Topics not learned or mastered Select START MY PATH to begin learning.

Navigating the Module Use the navigation panel on the left to access learning and assessments. Select the START MY PATH or the CONTINUE MY PATH button to learn topics. When your next Placement Assessment is unlocked, you cab access it from the placement assessment section. Please note if an assessment is proctored. Some schools require a “cool-off period”, or that you spend time in the Learning Module before a placement assessment unlocks.

Learning in ALEKS Once you are in Learning Mode, you will alternate between lesson pages and practice problems to learn each topic. The gauge in the top, right corner tracks how many correct problems you need to finish learning the topic.

Switching ALEKS Topics If you want to work on another topic, open the Topic Carousel by clicking on the blue arrow in the top, left corner. The topics that appear in the carousel are ones that you are ready to learn. Select the one you want to work on. You can filter which topics appear in the carousel by using the Filters menu in the top, right corner.

Knowledge Checks in ALEKS Every now and then, ALEKS will check to see if you remember what you are learning by giving you a Knowledge Check. These knowledge checks are meant to figure out what you remember and what you need to review again. They will appear periodically throughout your learning. If you take them seriously and honestly, they will work to your advantage!

The ALEKS Timeline The ALEKS Timeline tracks your weekly progress to help you manage your study time. Hovering over each day will tell you how many topics you learned that day. Click on the Menu icon in the top, left corner to return home, access reports, review topics, and more. Be sure to keep track of when your Prep and Learning Module access expires.

Key Tips for Success

Key Tips Don’t procrastinate! Don’t wait until the last minute to practice in the Prep and Learning Module – it will be harder to catch up and you will end up wasting time. Log in every day. Regular use of ALEKS will increase your performance and success. ALEKS is an opportunity to succeed in your course and advance to the next level. Take knowledge checks seriously! Do your best without the help of outside resources. Your results on the initial placement Assessment and each Knowledge Check will affect your pie. ALEKS Support is here to help. Contact ALEKS customer support if you have any technical questions or need help.

Registration and Resources

How to Register for Your ALEKS Class Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5 Go to www.aleks.com and select SIGN UP NOW! Enter your 10-digit Course Code. Verify that you are enrolling in the correct placement group. Indicate whether or not you have used ALEKS before. If required, enter your 20-character ALEKS access code if you have one ready, or purchase one now. Complete the ALEKS registration process if required. NOTE: If you are required to access ALEKS through your Learning Management System (like Blackboard or Canvas), then your instructor may provide alternate instructions.

Help and Resources Find helpful resources for students by visiting the Student Resources Page on the ALEKS website. It is located at: www.aleks.com/highered/students Contact ALEKS Technical Support: Email: http://support.aleks.com (be sure to select your market on the form!) Phone: 714-619-7090 Hours (Eastern Time): Monday through Thursday, 7am – 1am Friday, 7am – 9pm Sunday, 4pm – 1am