Figure 5.3: Item Page

After clicking on the name of an item from their pie chart, the student comes to an item page containing the title of the current item, followed by a problem or instance of that item (Fig. 5.3). Terms are underlined and set off as hyperlinks (clicking on these will open the ALEKSpedia).

Underneath the problem is the Answer Editor. This is where a solution to the problem can be attempted. All practice problems are generated by algorithms with random selection of parameters values so that the variety of problem instances for any item is very great.

Underneath the Answer Editor are buttons labeled "Next" and "Explain." Clicking on "Next" has the same effect as described for the Assessment Mode: it submits the answer. Here, however, the user finds out immediately whether the answer is right or wrong. If it was correct, a new problem is presented or (if the system believes this topic has been mastered) a choice of new items is offered. Wrong answers will return the presentation of the original problem (on the Wrong Answer page) with feedback on the student's error. Students can then click on "Explain."