David / Math Status

Something wonderful is happening in the Algebra II / with Trig course - David is starting to get it much better than before.

As not only his teacher, but his accommodation, I have done more hand holding than ALEKS recommended. This was done deliberately - and with the knowledge that it would have to change. This year, as David is coming up on times when he will have to test independently for various things, I have been using some of the ALEKS features - mostly quizzes but also Worksheets - to get him to do the math without the "crutch" of either Grandma or the online ALEKS environment. And I told him he would have to do his Assessments all on his own - no Grandma to interrupt with comments like, "Watch the signs!" or "you remember, we did that kind of problem - here is an example" during it.

His first Assessment result was --- less than stellar. He "lost" most of the pie pieces he'd earned since the last assessment. (David tends to rush through things and either skips problems or makes careless errors.) His quizzes were a tad bit better; I also have started giving "timed" quizzes - 5-10 quick problems with a 10 minute limit. The first of those he panicked about and did not do well.

"David," I admonished, "the purpose of the timed quizzes is to get you used to doing them and NOT worrying about the time. Next time, please take the time you need to do the problems RIGHT, and don't worry if you don't finish them all. These are just there to help you learn to take the tests."

I like ALEKS but in my book it does not really "force" the kids to understand the topic - it lets them learn the "pattern" of how to do it - for those of you who have gone through calculus, think of learning how to differentiate a function mechanically without understanding what's going on - so I have been stopping the online lessons, moving to the white board, and taking the time to help him understand what's happening (at least, I hope that's what I'm doing ...).

Over the past month or so,  he has improved immensely. His last three timed quizzes (10 problems) he has gotten 90%, 100% and 90%; his last "recent knowledge" quiz he got an 88%. In the past he was averaging a "D."

But better yet - he did his last Assessment this morning. As of his prior assessment, he had 77 pie pieces. During the Assessment - I was sitting nearby - I heard him talking to the work, and occassionally saying, "No, no, no .. it's NEGATIVE" and equivalent remarks.

Right before the Assessment started, he had 97 pie pieces. After the Assessment? he had 97 pie pieces!!! When  I looked at the detail, he had "lost" one piece on a section he'd covered - and gained one piece of something we have not "had" yet!! This is the first time he hasn't lost at least 1/4 of the pieces he'd earned during the learning sessions.

Wow!