Product Overview of ALEKS (McGraw-Hill)
ALEKS (Assessment and Learning in Knowledge Spaces) is a web-based, artificially intelligent learning and assessment system designed to enhance educational outcomes for students from grade 3 through higher education. Developed over several decades by researchers at New York University and the University of California, Irvine, ALEKS leverages advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning to provide a personalized and adaptive learning environment.
Key Features
Adaptive Learning
ALEKS uses adaptive questioning to quickly and accurately determine what topics a student knows, doesn’t know, and is ready to learn. This approach ensures that each student is presented with material that is neither too easy nor too challenging, thus optimizing their learning experience and building confidence and learning momentum.
Personalized Learning Paths
The system creates personalized learning paths for each student, focusing on the exact skills and topics they need to master. This is achieved through continuous assessments and real-time feedback, ensuring that students are always working at the boundary of their current knowledge.
Knowledge Checks and Retention
ALEKS periodically conducts Knowledge Checks to assess and reinforce student learning, ensuring that previously learned topics are retained. This continuous cycle of learning and assessment is based on the principle of retrieval practice, which is highly effective in moving information from short-term to long-term memory.
Comprehensive Reporting
The system provides detailed, real-time reports that help educators and parents monitor student progress. Reports include Progress Reports, Time & Topic Reports, and other actionable data to track usage, identify areas of growth, and plan for full-class and small-group instruction.
User-Friendly Interface
The new ALEKS Student Module offers a user-friendly interface optimized for desktops and tablets. Features include real-time notifications for assignments and Knowledge Checks, a timeline view to track progress, and the ALEKS Pie, which visually represents student knowledge across multiple topics. Each pie slice is color-coded to show mastered, learned, and remaining topics.
Sophisticated Answer Processing
ALEKS employs sophisticated answer processing, allowing for real-time machine evaluation of student answers, including immediate feedback. The system uses open-ended questions that require authentic input, such as mathematical expressions, chemical equations, or graphical constructions, reducing the likelihood of lucky guesses and ensuring that students genuinely understand and master the material.
Alignment with Standards
ALEKS courses are aligned with state and national standards, making it a seamless complement to any classroom environment. The system supports various instructional models, allowing teachers to customize the learning experience to fit their teaching style and the unique needs of their students.
Functionality
- Initial Knowledge Check: Students begin with an Initial Knowledge Check to determine their baseline knowledge, which is summarized in the ALEKS Pie.
- Continuous Assessment and Feedback: As students work through their learning paths, ALEKS provides immediate feedback, detailed explanations, and other tools to build mastery.
- Customization for Teachers: Teachers can choose from different instructional models to support their teaching methods, including truly adaptive models, customized courses, and real-time data reports to inform instruction.
- Student Engagement and Motivation: The system motivates students by showing their progress in real-time, filling the ALEKS Pie as they master new topics, and providing clear goals and deadlines.
Overall, ALEKS is a powerful tool that leverages artificial intelligence to create an efficient, effective, and personalized learning environment, helping students achieve measurable success and prepare for standardized testing, college, and career success.