Welcome to ALEKS! You are about to discover one of the most powerful educational tools available for learning mathematics. Combining advanced learning technology with the flexibility of the Internet, the ALEKS system provides a "smart" interactive tutoring system with unmatched features and capabilities. Richly supplied with illustrations and reference materials, ALEKS constantly challenges you and supplies extensive feedback on what you have accomplished. ALEKS will always help you select the ideal topic to work on now. That way you learn concepts in the order that's best for you. ALEKS provides individualized, one-on-one instruction that fits your schedule. It is available wherever you access the Web.

ALEKS was developed with support from the National Science Foundation. It is based on a field of Mathematical Cognitive Science called "Knowledge Spaces." The purpose of research in Knowledge Spaces is to model human knowledge of any subject for quick, precise assessment and efficient guided learning in interactive computer programs.

The ALEKS system is self-explanatory and includes online instructions and feedback. This booklet contains basic information to help you begin using ALEKS. Instructors using ALEKS with their courses are provided with an Instructor's Manual containing complete information on the system's operation. They should be able to answer any questions beyond those dealt with in these pages.

NOTE. ALEKS is designed for use without help from a manual. Your instructor will assist you in registering with the system and beginning to use it. If questions arise, or if you want to learn more about ALEKS, use this Guide. It is intended as a convenient and concise reference.

Only registered users can keep an account on ALEKS. (Anyone may try the system as a guest.) Two or more persons cannot use the same ALEKS account. The system will regard them as a single person and give incorrect guidance.