ALEKS - Assessment and Learning
   

4.4 Answer Editor

 

The Answer Editor for 
Mathematical Expressions (Assessment)

Figure 4.1: The Answer Editor for Mathematical Expressions (Assessment)
Input to the ALEKS system is always in the form of proper mathematical expressions and constructions , never multiple choice. A critical reason for this is to check students' knowledge accurately. Another purpose is to train students in the skills needed for conventional, paper-and-pencil communication of solutions and results. The sophistication of the ALEKS input tools provides additional advantages. The presentation of results is always neat and clear. The ALEKS graphing tools allow students to draw accurate graphs and geometrical constructions. Immediate feedback is provided on the formal completeness of solutions.
The general term for the input tools used in ALEKS is the Answer Editor. This encompasses a variety of actual modes for user input, including: an Answer Editor for mathematical expressions, an Answer Editor for the numberline, and an Answer Editor for graphing in the Cartesian plane (with x and y coordinate axes). A student beginning to use ALEKS is trained in how to use the features of the Answer Editor that are relevant to the subject (Sec. 3.6). Also, context-sensitive help is available on use of Answer Editor through the ? icon next to the buttons on the tool palette.
In much of what follows, emphasis is on the Answer Editor for mathematical expressions, as this is the section which involves the greatest degree of interplay between mouse, keyboard, and on-screen buttons and icons.