Review of ALEKS Math Program: Explains Math In Plain English
If I Can Do it so Can You
Until I took Algebra at the University of Phoenix.
There is a fantastic program UOP uses that I would recommend to anyone who needs help with Mathematics on any level, whether they need help with Kindergarten math or Post-Graduate. The program is called ALEKS and is interactive. There is a monthly fee of 19.95 and well worth every penny. When you use the program there is an initial assessment to find out where you are, then goes on from there. You will find a progress report that helps you keep track of how much you've learned and in what time frame you've learned it in.
I found the program so useful that I missed it once I was out of my class. The thing about ALEKS is it explains the steps in plain English, not Math language. Or in Dad language. If you make a mistake ALEKS tells you where the mistake is and how to correct it. And if you still do not understand ALEKS gives you the option to have the entire problem explained step-by-step.
Let me give an example of how ALEKS helps with the Pythagorean Theorem:
Just imagine you have a right triangle...
Let's say that the numbers are
10 (on the left side of the triangle - or the long side)
X (on the bottom side)
6 (on the right side of the triangle)
Now because the 10 is on the long side (and not the x) you will subtract. (If the x is on the long side you add.)
So here's what you do:
X2 = 102 + 62
X = 102 - 62 (just imagine that there is a square (you know what it looks like - an extra long checkmark) the images will not show for
some reason)
= 100 - 36 (again squared 100 - 36)
= 64 (squared 64)
= 8.000
8.0
Now the way I got that answer is this:
You have to find what will equal 64.
So you can do it this way...
7.5012 = 56.2650 (I multiplied 7.501 with itself) (Since this isn't the answer I move on.)
8.2312 = 67.7493 (I'm getting closer, but no dice)
8.0112 = 64.1761 (I will try once more to see if I can get closer.)
8.0002 = 64 (Bam! There it is)
Because there is nothing I can say the answer is 8.0 (this was an easy one, but you can repeat this process for each problem.
Of course this is my interpretation of ALEKS, but it worked for me. I'll never forget that night I called him (around 2 a.m.) excited because I finally understood how to work the problem. He was so proud that he made me work the problem another 20 times. And you know what? It was worth it.
Published by E.L. Morin
I am a full-time student of University of Phoenix, novelist, manicurist, parent, and wife. I live in Missouri, though I am from Texas. We have traipsed all over the country and I can't wait for my next vacat... View profile
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10 Comments
Post a CommentAleks sucks.
Assessments suck.
No partial credit, your work must be 100% or it will make you pay.
The other thing that concerns me about Aleks is that when I was reading the explanation for one of the problems, it added 2 and 2 together and came out with 5 3/4.
Bottom line, Aleks is probably the worst math program out there. I learned more in my public school, which is saying a lot, since my public school system is consistently ranked among the lowest in the state, and my state is consistently ranked among the lowest in the nation. I have used four different math curricula in my six years of being homeschooled, and I have found that Aleks is the worst.
I have used Aleks for the past few years, and I have mixed feeling about it. The Algebra is okay at best, but the Geometry is absolutely dismal. I have been working at it for almost a year and a half now, and I'm not even 75% done. For someone who was getting A's in Algebra 1 in seventh grade, it doesn't make sense that the same person should be A) taking the same math for more than a year, and B) averaging a C.
One of my biggest problems with the program is that it teaches the formulas only one, but then when I use the formulas the way they tell me to, I get the answer wrong. The tech support is not that good either.
My second problem is that they often lump three or four problems together and count them as one problem. So if you get one of them wrong, you get the entire thing wrong, and you have to do it over. But you're never told which one you got wrong.
The other thing that concerns me about Aleks is that when I was reading the explanation for one of the p
id rather die than do the program i mean its that terrible
Aleks is great in concept. In reality, it sucks the light and hope from my soul. Maybe it would be a great teaching tool if it didn't make us kids so darn unhappy! I don't know what it is about it, but it feels like trying to walk through maple syrup. It depresses me! And it takes such a long time to do just a bit, so when I have normal math homework too I don't get to do anything after school besides work! And even then I end up staying up late!! X( Erg
This program cannot teach students proper concepts. The explanations are dull, confusing, and often skips crucial steps (thus making it confusing).
Because it takes so long, it cuts into time for other dedicated subjects.
Aleks straight up sucks. In a regular classroom, a teacher can asses whether or not a student reasonably understands the concept of an assignment and how to do it, but in aleks, a tiny mistake could set you back half an hour of work. Extremely slow, useless, and time-taxing for not very much gain.
I hate aleks. It is a pretty good program if your not the one doing the work. I just don't think it is explained as well as it could be coming from an instructor in class.
Rebecca,
I think you will find the program rewarding. I tried a trial program for my daughter (the program now goes from 3rd grade to post graduate) and she loved it. She looked forward to using it each day. As a parent (or instructor) you can schedule tests and view how the "student" is progressing. It's a little pricier than I have right now, but it gets cheaper when you get a family plan. Anyway, I sure hope you like ALEKS. I know it helped me.
I just found this program and am using it in my homeschool program- I plan to review ALEKS as well, though from the perspective of homeschooling :).