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ALEKS -TOS Review


What is ALEKS

From the website you can read:
"Assessment and LEarning in Knowledge Spaces is a Web-based, artificially intelligent assessment and learning system. 
ALEKS uses adaptive questioning to quickly and accurately determine exactly what a student knows and doesn't know in a course. 
ALEKS then instructs the student on the topics she is most ready to learn. 
As a student works through a course, ALEKS periodically reassesses the student to ensure that topics learned are also retained. 
ALEKS courses are very complete in their topic coverage and ALEKS avoids multiple-choice questions.  
student who shows a high level of mastery of an ALEKS course will be successful in the actual course she is taking. 
ALEKS also provides the advantages of one-on-one instruction, 24/7, from virtually any Web-based computer for a fraction of the cost of a human tutor."

ALEKS, being an online program, requires a computer but anyone with internet access should be able to make it work. 

ALEKS has programs for elementary school from grade 3 to High school, as well as SAT, exam, and college preparation. It can also get you ready for higher education in Math, Science and Business.

ALEKS can serve as a tutor that targets gaps in student knowledge with no textbook required.

ALEKS provides the parent with a master account that allows you to monitor the progress of the student and manage the acccount. Regular e-mails are sent informing you of the progress.


The programs also allows for individual assessment and testing.

When you first log in you are given an assessment test that will determine what you need to learn or practice. This information is going to be presented in the form of a pie graph made up of the different mathematical topics you need to cover. As you do the practice exercises assigned by the computer successfully, the pie graph will fill up.


You also have the option of printing worksheets instead of working at the computer.
  

ALEKS also includes a way for practicing math facts in the section called Quick Tables.


 Price: 
  • $19.95 per month 
  • only $99.95 for 6 months!   Six months for the cost of five
  • only $179.95 for 12 months!   Best Deal: You save $59.45 
  • family discount available

Our thoughts


First, I have to say that ALEKS does seem to be a very comprehensive program as it covers everything you need to know in Math, depending on your grade level. My 8 year old, 3rd grade son, although he did not mind working on it, was not very enthusiastic when it came time to do ALEKS. I think part of it is because, there is no audio and the exercises are really online worksheets, with one exercise per sheet, and my son DOES not like worksheets. I was surprised though that he did not complain about doing it, so there was something about it that appealed to him and made him do Math without complaining. I think some of it has to do with the explanation available with every exercise (you just have to click on the "explain" button). 


For me,  the 2 aspects that are most attractive about ALEKS are
  • that all the guesswork is done for you as to what to teach and in what progression.  
  • that the visual pie graph concept is very engaging and motivating.

Want to try it out? ALEKS offers a 2 month trial. Take advantage and get a feel for it!



Make sure to check out what other homeschoolers are saying about ALEKS.

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Disclaimer:  I was offered a 3 months subscription to ALEKS in exchange for an honest review.
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