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LIght years ahead of ALEKS, which would be an example of what I'd call typical math software, and extremely symbol-based. I like a lot of things about ALEKS and I think it helps many students, but for the ones (and they are legion) who need visuals and instruction and the chance to slow things down, it's still a mess of convoluted, confusing symbols with SO MANY RULES. I was afraid to be excited based on the presentation to us, but student response has been overwhelmingly positive. I'm not sure what you mean by "individualized" - everybody gets the same explanation for what fractions are about, or how to go about solving systems of linear equations. However, it's just you & the computer; you don't have to feel like you're the only one who doesn't get it in the group, and you go at exactly **your** speed, and it asks so many questions along the instructional path and responds accordingly that yes, I would say it was individualized. The other thing that surprised me was how many times I could see students respond with their bodies when the computer said "Perfect." or "I think you're getting the idea " as the student answered questions along that instructional journey. Then I reflected that no, these students were simply not accustomed to being 'singled out' and getting positive feedback with numbers. I'm still not going to get excited until we've got a larger sample size but that's just my nature :-) Susan Jones Academic Development Specialist Academic Development Center Parkland College Champaign, IL 61821 [log in to unmask] Webmastress, http://www.resourceroom.net >>> [log in to unmask] 03/01/06 6:49 AM >>> Part of our developmental math time is spent in the computer lab. We have tried several programs, including Carnegie Learning, ALEKS, and are now using ilrn. There have been issues with every program we have tried. To date, the ALEKS program seemed to be the best match for our students. We had to make a change, however, because our administration had received a lot of student complaints about the cost of the program. Would you consider Modumath a program that was individualized and could be used by students in a lab session of the class? I have been contacted by a representative for Modumath and am excited about viewing the program to see how it might work. Thanks for your response. Barbara Kitcey Remediation Specialist The Art Institute of Pittsburgh 420 Boulevard of the Allies Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Tel: (412) 291-6207 Fax: (412) 263-3715 Email: [log in to unmask] -----Original Message----- From: Open Forum for Learning Assistance Professionals [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Susan Jones Sent: Tuesday, February 28, 2006 6:50 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Please Help!: Putting together materials wish list It's instructional software for math... which, unlike any other software I've ever seen (and I've looked at most of it out there) is actually instructional. (I think there may be one other similar product out there now that I haven't seen - but most "instructional" programs go through the symbolic steps but don't back up and explain the *why* or connect it to visuals well at all.) Most important, at least in our little trials with a few students, students are learning the math (well enough to pass *other* tests, not just the Modumath ones). We'll be using it more formally next fall. There are occasional places where I have to intervene (some of the word problems are ambiguous) but overall it's the best technology investment we've made (outside of the computers themselves) for the overall developmental ed stuff. Susan Jones Academic Development Specialist Academic Development Center Parkland College Champaign, IL 61821 [log in to unmask] Webmastress, http://www.resourceroom.net >>> [log in to unmask] 02/28/06 7:02 AM >>> What is Modumath? Please explain! Barbara Kitcey Remediation Specialist The Art Institute of Pittsburgh 420 Boulevard of the Allies Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Tel: (412) 291-6207 Fax: (412) 263-3715 Email: [log in to unmask] -----Original Message----- From: Open Forum for Learning Assistance Professionals [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Susan Jones Sent: Monday, February 27, 2006 4:33 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Please Help!: Putting together materials wish list If money were no object, I'd get Modumath (basic skills and algebra). We got this last year and will be using it extensively in our learning labs next year. Susan Jones Academic Development Specialist Academic Development Center Parkland College Champaign, IL 61821 [log in to unmask] Webmastress, http://www.resourceroom.net >>> [log in to unmask] 02/27/06 8:51 AM >>> Hello, everyone, I desperately need your help. I am the newly appointed Academic Coordinator for a TRIO program here at Tarrant County College. We serve 165 students and our academic support system mostly consists of assigned peer tutoring that lasts throughout the semester. So, here's my problem: I am being asked to generate a wish list of materials to replace/supplement our outdated ones. We have just bought PLATO and Accutrack, but I need more hand-on materials and reference books, etc. to keep on hand, essentially to create our own mini-learning center. I am asking for those of you who are experienced in this area to please help me out by telling me what your wish list would be, just off the top of your head if money/space was no object. Of particular interest to our program would be anything related to study skills, time management, etc., anything about tutoring students with psychological problems / mental disabilities, or anything to help with developmental math. 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