View a selection of implementation strategies from educators who are successfully using ALEKS to achieve dramatic learning outcomes.
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Scottsburg New Tech High School, Scott County School District 2
Grade(s): 9 - 12
Scenario: One-to-One Laptop Program
Purpose: Enrichment/Gifted and Talented, Core Curriculum
ALEKS Portion of Curriculum: 50%
Time Spent in ALEKS: 1-3 hours per week, 10-30 hours per term
ALEKS Course: Algebra 1, Algebra 2
Johnter Raymer, Teacher
Overall, I have had a good experience with ALEKS. Most of the students have used it and learned from it. The only students who have not learned are the ones who just will not do it. With ALEKS, students can learn at their own pace.
What challenges did the class or school face in math prior to using ALEKS?
Before ALEKS, it was hard to keep the students occupied for the whole period. Now, they have their lessons, homework, projects, and weekly ALEKS quota. They are never without something different to do.
How many days per week is class time dedicated to ALEKS?
4 days per week.
What is the average length of a class period when ALEKS is used?
How do you implement ALEKS?
We have a one-to-one MacBook to student ratio, so it has been easy for them to adjust.
Do you cover ALEKS concepts in a particular order?
No, the students' original assessments have been so different that there is no way to specify.
How do you structure your class period with ALEKS?
We are a project-based academy. After they are given their project, I teach them lessons that correspond with the project and curriculum. They then have regular homework and a weekly ALEKS quota of 5-30 topics a week. I give them seven days, Monday to Sunday, to complete the quota; every Monday, I check their prior week's progress using the reports and give them a grade for completing their quota.
How did you modify your regular teaching approach as a result of ALEKS?
It is pretty much the same, with just more grading and adjusting of scores.
How often are students required or encouraged to work on ALEKS at home?
How do you cultivate parental involvement and support for ALEKS?
I talk to the parents, but most of them seem to be unfamiliar with computers.
Is ALEKS assigned to your students as all or part of their homework responsibilities? If so, what part of the total homework load is it?
They have a weekly quota to fill.
How do you incorporate ALEKS into your grading system?
In my class, projects are worth 200 points (there are four projects per grading period). Tests are worth 100 points. Homework is ten points each. Finally, the ALEKS weekly quota is worth 50 points (there are 12 weeks per term).
Do you require students to make regular amounts of progress in ALEKS?
Yes, after their Initial Assessment I give them a weekly quota.
Since using ALEKS, please describe the learning outcomes or progress you have seen.
Students can learn at their own pace.
Are there any best practices you would like to share with other teachers implementing ALEKS?
By letting the students work at their own pace with a reasonable quota and due date, ALEKS can definitely supplement their learning.