Marinda Gelderbloem
Johannesburg, South Africa
Scenario: Homeschool Core Curriculum
Purpose: Personalized Learning, Improve Skills
Time Spent in ALEKS: 1 hour per day, 3-4 days per week
Time Spent in QuickTables: 10 minutes per day, 1 day per week
ALEKS Course: Mathematics - LV 4 (with QuickTables), Mathematics - MS/LV 6
Overall Experience:
My first year of homeschooling was a bigger challenge than expected. ALEKS has not only saved me valuable time, but my children have both benefited from ALEKS and their comprehension has improved. We tried other math programs before, but we find ALEKS to be less time consuming and less frustrating for my children. Additionally, the fact that ALEKS can be done in the comfort of our home is fantastic. Keeping track of my daughters' progress is also much easier with the reports we receive via email. Overall, I can't see how we would cope without ALEKS!
What challenges did the student face in math prior to using ALEKS?
Both of my children are perfectionists. They both react negatively to mistakes made in math and got despondent very quickly. My 6th grader had a mental block due to years of math teachers with no patience; ALEKS has since removed that block.
What were you looking for in an online math tool?
I wanted assistance with teaching and practicing math.
What math progress has the student experienced since using ALEKS?
My kids are showing growth of up to ten percent, along with increased confidence levels. They are really showing excellence in their math skills.
How does the student feel about his/her progress in ALEKS?
They love the ALEKS Pie chart, and have learned to be more graceful when it highlights their mistakes. They are less negative about math, and it seems that they feel math has become more of a "walk in the park" as opposed the giant obstacle it was before ALEKS.
Are there any best practices you would like to share with other ALEKS users?
Be sure to keep an eye on your children's achievements and support them with positive feedback - kids love to be rewarded. Additionally, encourage them to set their own goals because, when achieved, they feel much more in control.
