What is ALEKS? Who uses ALEKS? How is ALEKS being used? Teacher Feedback Recommendations

What is ALEKS? Assessment and LEarning in Knowledge Spaces is a Web-based, artificially intelligent assessment and learning system. ALEKS uses adaptive questioning to quickly and accurately determine exactly what a student knows and doesn't know in a course. ALEKS then instructs the student on the topics she is most ready to learn. As a student works through a course, ALEKS periodically reassesses the student to ensure that topics learned are also retained. ALEKS courses are very complete in their topic coverage and ALEKS avoids multiple-choice questions. A student who shows a high level of mastery of an ALEKS course will be successful in the actual course she is taking.

Who is using ALEKS? High school math AIS –9 students (semester 1) Middle School AIS (grades 6-8) –21 6 th graders (full year) –19 7 th graders (full year) –16 8 th graders (full year) High School AP Statistics (pilot last year) –7 students Special Education (Int. Algebra Part I) –29 students (HS) –11 students 7 th and 8 th (MS)

How is ALEKS being used? HS and MS AIS Students have two options in AIS class. Option 1: Ask for help on topics from class. Option 2: Work on ALEKS course. * These options are a change from previous years as AIS was used as homework support.

How is ALEKS being used? HS AP Statistics Last year ALEKS was used as a review aid for the AP Statistics course. The students found this review challenging because it focused their attention to the material that they struggled with the most.

How is ALEKS being used? HS Integrated Algebra Part I (SE) ALEKS was used in one class as a part of the regular Integrated Algebra Part 1 course. This class contained a large number of SE students. This class time in the computer lab working on completing the ALEKS course. (1day/week)

Basic ALEKS data

Teacher Feedback HS Integrated Algebra Part I (1 section) We had difficulty implementing the ALEKS program with this group of students. The students needed more instructional time than could be provided during the school day. This class also had a temporary teacher change that halted the use of the program.

Teacher Feedback HS AIS 2 students used ALEKS to review for the Integrated Algebra exam in January. Both passed. Qt 1 (6 of 7 passed) and Qt 2 (5/7 passed) Qt 3 (2 of 6 passed and 1 changed levels) (All but one of these students were no longer in math lab due to changes in 2 nd semester schedules)

Teacher Feedback HS AIS ALEKS has created a positive working environment for our students. It has allowed one teacher to manage support for 3-5 different classes efficiently and effectively. While ALEKS has our students working productively in our labs, time and scheduling constraints prevent students from completing their ALEKS course work. Incorporating ALEKS progress in to a student’s regular course grade may increase the student’s incentive to work on ALEKS outside of AIS class.

Teacher Feedback MS AIS GRADE 6 Likes: Student driven, Computer based (students enjoy the opportunity to use technology) QUICK TABLES Keeps track of student’s progress including printable progress reports. Can access from home. Dislikes: Many students have difficulty reading, and thus have difficulty with the program. Especially when they are having problems, the “explain” tab doesn’t always make sense to them. Still need more direct instruction on the skills/concepts currently being taught in class. I pull students off of ALEKS if I see specific areas of concerns in class, but there just isn’t enough time to see everyone. Plus, when I’m working with a student, or students, it can be difficult to monitor the rest of the students. Harder for younger students to stay motivated throughout the program. Kids were very interested, even competitive in the beginning, but they are starting to lose interest as the year progresses. Whereas HS students might stay motivated if this program was being used for course credit, the MS students figure out they can still pass the AIS class without finishing all the topics, so they lose interest in the program.

Teacher Feedback MS AIS GRADE 6 I really like ALEKS for several reasons: Each student worked at their level and on what they needed. Instruction was not based on the needs of the majority. Each student was engaged at their instructional level so there was not a problem with behaviors. Everyone was actively engaged! Students were able to monitor their progress and felt pride as they added new skills. I was able to monitor students progress and was able to see the areas where they needed help. I was able to help students one on one with out having to stop to monitor behaviors because everyone was actively engaged. There wasn't anything I didn't like.

Teacher Feedback HS AP Statistics 7 students took the AP exam last year. 1 student completed ALEKS course (5 on AP) 1 student completed +90% of course (5 on AP) 3 students completed 75-80% of course (3 on AP) 2 students completed -50% of course (1 on AP)

Teacher Feedback MS AIS (Grade 7) They have said many times that they like coming to AIS and they look forward to working at their own pace and having the computer explain it to them when don't understand how to do the math. The part that can be frustrating for students is when they have worked so hard to reach a certain number of topics and then they take an assessment and their numbers go down. In my opinion this is why ALEKS is so great because it doesn't let students off the hook! It continues to give them practice problems until they have truly mastered a topic. This does get frustrating for students to see their numbers drop, but it is necessary for them to learn each unit.

Teacher Feedback MS AIS Grade 8 Aleks does not have a lot of staying power for my kids. I have to come up with gimmicks and alternatives to keep them interested in Aleks. My particular group of kids constantly ask if they can work on homework instead. I like the tracking and reporting ability of Aleks but not the lack of variety in approach. It does not have enough "bells and whistles" to grab and maintain the interest of my group. They are bored. I really like how the assessment is tied in to the topics offered to each student. I also like being able to track each student's progress in a variety of ways. The students find the work tedious at times and get frustrated because they don't know how to do questions - which is of course why they are in AIS. That being said, most of the kids in my group appreciate that they are actually learning things, gaining understanding and moving forward through the program. They find it beneficial even though they also find it tedious and/or frustrating at times. Hope this helps.

Recommendations Make the use of ALEKS more meaning full for AIS students by allowing their progress to be a part of their quarter class averages. Allow parents to buy subscriptions. (*Affordable home tutoring.) Use the remaining subscription for AIS. Full year AIS student commitment. Continue to look at other products that may be more cost effective and better suited for our students.