FAQs: Using ALEKS Effectively in Math

Since ALEKS is a powerful tool used to support math instruction, we want to ensure that students and parents are getting the most value possible out of this program.

In short, ALEKS allows practice on both grade level skills and the prerequisite skills that are needed to be successful with the grade level skills. Practice time on ALEKS can reinforce what is being taught in class AND review fundamentals, helping students maintain math facts and skills over time.

So, what are the most effective practices while using ALEKS?

Here's a view of the main menu, including the topic "pie slices" and weekly activity

1. "What’s for homework?"

If a student states that he or she has “no math homework,” that is probably not quite accurate, because he or she could always be working on ALEKS. In the middle school, students are required to complete 15 topics per week. (That amount sounds like a lot, but in reality, a student completes all 15 topics in an average of only 1 hour per week.)

For seventh grade students, ALEKS is due on Sunday nights by 9pm, and ALEKS for eighth grade students is due on Thursday nights at 9pm. To fight procrastination, a good starting goal is to spread out those 15 topics over time and complete three per night, five times per week.

2. What should ALEKS look like at home?

Most students should be sitting down with a Chromebook and scratch paper - that’s it. A calculator is not needed since ALEKS has a built-in calculator and most of the calculations will rely on mental math.

3. Which 15 topics should my student choose this week?

First, students should target their topics based on what they’re learning in class. For example, if an eighth grade student is working on equations in math, then he/she should be working in the purple “Solving Equations and Inequalities” pie slice in ALEKS.

If a student is already done with the class topic, or with a specific pie slice, he or she should ask Ms. Nentwich what topic is most appropriate to continue with right now, based on personal needs. Ms. Nentwich will recommend the best review or challenge topics.

4. What should students do if an ALEKS topic is too difficult?

If your student is working through a topic but doesn’t understand it, there are a few possible steps to take:

1. Use the instructional videos. Not all students are fully utilizing this tool yet, but every ALEKS topic comes with an instructional video giving students the information they need.
2. Email Ms. Nentwich. If she is alerted that the student struggled on a topic, then she can talk to the student the next school day and clear up any confusion.
3. Switch to a different topic, but only if the student emails Ms. Nentwich first. Switching topics may seem like the easy way out, but she wants to help students get unstuck, too!

5. As a parent, should I help my child when he or she gets stuck?

You can, but you are not expected to do so. We DO encourage parents to monitor their child; parents can help keep students focused and encourage them to use all their resources, but there is no pressure to enter a tutoring role unless desired. Please ask your student to email Ms. Nentwich anytime he or she is struggling with a topic.

6. How can I monitor my child’s progress (and know if he or she is DONE?)

ALEKS gives us two great tools: the pie report, which shows topic completion, and the Time and Topic report, which records what a student did on ALEKS (and when). The latter is the best way to find out which topics a student has attempted or learned in any given day, week, month, or year.

Here are two screenshots of what the Time and Topic reports look like:

Here's a view of the Time and Topic report, including how much time has spent and
whether the student ATTEMPTED or fully LEARNED the topic. 

Here's a closer view of the Time and Topic report,
giving more details of what the student has done. 

If you have more questions, please email Ms. Nentwich.

Thank you for reading!