On-line Practice, Tutorial, and Assessment in
Algebra Skills
Lynelle Weldon
Mathematics Department
Andrews University
Berrien Springs, MI 49104
This talk will be about technology used in a remedial math
course, so if it does not sound like something which fits into your
session, please send it on to the general session (or let me know I should).
Andrews University serves students from 80-100 countries as well as from
all over the United States. The educational backgrounds of the students
are thus quite varied. There are many students who lack adequate
preparation in mathematics for college and the preparation needed is also
very diverse. The mathematics department has been using a Math Placement
Exam to place students into (or out of) two traditional classroom
courses, Arithmetic Review(2 credits), and Algebra Review(3 credits).
These courses had typical pass rates for math remediation and were not
really designed for students who had never had algebra before. Such
students often repeated the classes multiple times before passing or
never made it.
In 2001 we made some changes. In order to individualize the learning
opportunity for this diverse population we structured a class around
the use of the ALEKS website which provides assessment, practice, and
some tutorial in math skills. Because of short resources this is the only
class being offered, students do not have the option of a traditional
classroom setting. All students needing preparation have been placed in
this class with the expectation that the lower level students will
probably require a year to complete the class. Any student who has
seriously participated in the class and spent a minimum number of hours
working on the website, but has not completed the work, may receive an R
grade. This stands for ReRegister and does not affect the student's gpa.
During classtime the students are in a computer lab with the teacher
and/or lab assistants available to answer questions and explain concepts.
In order to pass the class the students must complete a certain set of
concepts on the ALEKS system and pass 2 algebra paper and pencil exams
(also 1 arithmetic exam depending on the math placement score). They are
allowed to retake the exams (different questions, same concepts) as many
times as needed within the time frame of the semester.
The talk would focus on the approach used in this class, the problems
encountered (lack of buy-in by other faculty, etc.), the benefits of the
approach (improved quality of student-teacher interactions, better
definition of the problems faced, etc.), and future plans to improve the
class.