Tips for Using Aleks Successfully

TIPS FOR USING ALEKS SUCCESSFULLY

STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS

1. Work in ALEKS 2 hours a day, 5 days a week. As you work, create a study guide by writing down one example of each problem type.
2. At the beginning of each session use the ALEKS REVIEW (see discussion below). Complete the “Printable Worksheets” 2 or 3 times a week.
3. Ask for help as soon as you need it.
4. Take your time and check your work (especially during assessments and exams).
5. Study for exams by reviewing your notes and redoing homeworks.

ALEKS REVIEW

In order to stay prepared for assessments and avoid unnecessary back tracking, you are strongly advised to review at the beginning of each ALEKS session. If the Review doesn’t automatically pop up, click the Review button on the tool bar and a list of recently passed topics you may need to practice will appear. If you click on a topic, you can practice it. Students who do this perform better on assessments.

ASSESSMENTS

ALEKS only allows a student to work on the topics for which the student has demonstrated mastery of the prerequisite skills and knowledge. The initial assessment in ALEKS will determine what you already know, and what you need to learn, review, and practice. Additional assessments are used to determine what topics you have learned and retained. Sometimes assessments will result in a loss or a gain of topics. Losses are a natural part of learning because one doesn’t always master new ideas the first time. Similarly, gains occur because students who have mastered certain topics are often able to apply that knowledge to more advanced topics.

The first and the final assessment must be completed in class. Additional assessments will be assigned 3-4 times a quarter. You will be told when an assessment will be assigned.

It is important that assessments accurately reflect YOUR knowledge. Do your own work and do not get help (professor, TA, notes, or textbook) during an assessment. Only use the calculator provided by ALEKS. If you do not know the answer or do not understand the problem click “I Don’t Know”. Your final assessment must be at 80%. If you do not master the topics in ALEKS as needed you will not be able to assess at this level. If you assess past topics you do not know because your assessment was not an accurate reflection of your knowledge, you will not be successful in this class.

EXAMS

The Homework Assignments cover all the material that will be covered on the exams. To be successful on exams, it is important to review all of the topics on the homework. In some cases a student may assess past a topic but still need to learn the problem before taking an exam. If you can get at least 80% on homeworks without using your notes or other help, you should be able to pass the exams.