Why I Use ALEKS in the Classroom and You Should Too!

By Shawn Gallagher

First of all, let me tell you what ALEKS is. ALEKS identifies each student’s knowledge in math, and then it delivers targeted instruction on the topics each student is most ready to learn, as they follow their personalized learning path. Students receive immediate feedback, detailed explanations, and are reassessed regularly for retention of learned concepts.

Now, I will explain why I love ALEKS. Last year, the greatest problem I faced was differentiating students into small groups based on their math ability. All to often, when I worked with my small group, the other two groups would get distracted ,lose focus, and get off task. The reason for this was that I really did not have a math app that truly engaged and motivated students to learn independently, while I worked with a small group. ALEKS helped to solve that problem. Once students took the initial assessment on ALEKS, the app’s pie showed students how many concepts they already knew, and how many they needed to complete 5^th grade mastery. Then it set an individual learning path for each student.

I like ALEKS for several reasons. It really helps students who are struggling with math concepts. Students can work at their own pace without feeling pressured to keep up with the rest of the class. When students do not fully grasp a lesson in Go Math, they can go back and review that lesson concept on ALEKS. In addition, ALEKS has proven its worth time and time again when I have students working in small groups. I can pull a group of six to eight students and work with them on a math concept that they have found difficult; meanwhile, the rest of the class can work quietly and independently on their individual learning path. I have been really able to help my struggling students during these interventions. At the start of the year, there were ten students below grade level. Right now, I only have two students who are a little below grade level. It is great to have a captive audience during these interventions thanks to ALEKS.

Furthermore, ALEKS is wonderful at motivating my higher end students. When students complete the pie for 5^th grade math and take the final assessment, they receive a nice certificate for completing their goal. I always present the certificates to my students at the start of the day, and the students love to receive it. It has the positive effect of really pushing the other students toward completing their learning goals. Out of a class of 32 students, 20 students have completed 5^th grade math, and are already working on 6^th grade math, plus I have 6 students working on 7^th grade math. Many of these students are self-motivated, and go on ALEKS at home without me assigning it. In a regular 5^th grade class, I could never cover the sheer amount of material that students have been able to do on this math app.

Finally, I have found that ALEKS has greatly improved students confidence in math. As they see their pie fill up, they understand that they are improving all the time. Yes, the work does get more and more challenging as the pie fills up, so that is when I have students at the same level team up on different days to help each other. It really encourages students to slow down, read the instructions and follow the examples. This type of independent learning will give students the skills to learn on their own in other subject areas.

My recommendation to you is to use ALEKS in your classroom. It will motivate your students, it will encourage a love of independent learning, and teach them those valuable 21^st century skills that they will need in tomorrow’s workforce.

Shawn Gallagher is a 5^th grade teacher at St. Clare School in Santa Clara, California. This is his second year teaching 5^th grade, and fortunately this year, he has had the opportunity to use the math app ALEKS in the classroom.