ALEKS (Assessment and LEarning in Knowledge Spaces) is a Research-based, Web-based, artificially intelligent assessment and learning online Math Program for grades 3-12. ALEKS provides the advantages of one-on-one instruction, 24/7, for a fraction of the cost of a human tutor. The program is accessible from virtually any computer with Internet access. ALEKS is an all-Java, Web-based system. It is fully compatible with current browsers on Windows or Macintosh systems.
(18 Reviews)
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Cons: time consuming, poor explanations, too expensive
Grades Used: College
I despise the Aleks math program. I was forced by my college to spend $120 on this program as a class requirement, and if I could get my money back I would. It is time consuming because if you miss a question, the program punishes you and takes points away. What is the purpose of that except to waste time? The explanations are poor, and sometimes it will count my correct answers as wrong. Half the time, the calculator doesn’t even work. Don’t waste your money on this horrible product like I was forced to.
Cons: Frustrating, punitive, time-consuming, poor for complex topics.
Grades Used: College
Frustrating and Punitive. Black hole for time. I used Aleks Chemistry in College, hated it, felt like it hindered learning for a complex subject. Aleks might be ok for low level math, but not for any subject requiring multi-step complicated calculations because with a single error, this program not only doesn’t progress, but takes away credit for previous correct answers. Horrible design – for lazy teachers – your child will hate you for using this.
Cons: It is frustrating hard to understand even as a parent and is not for all learning types
Grades Used: 2nd-8th
This program is a huge problem for gifted children, for example, my child is in a gifted group called MOSAICS and he and his other friends in MOSAICS don’t understand why it takes so much time even if you already know it and if you make a single mistake on a knowledge check you have to do it all again.
Cons: Frustrating, Poorly Explained, Price, Repetition, of Things Already Learned, Here for Your Money, Confusing Data
Grades Used: 5th
STAY AWAY AT ALL COSTS
Okay, listen here, whoever made this site is someone who has no regard for the kid in the progress, the entire thing is just a big frustrating jumble of poorly explained math lessons, and ONE mistake in a lesson can make you redo the ENTIRE LESSON! What’s more, every so often, you get something called a knowledge check. This is a thirty question test where ONE SIMPLE MISTAKE can lead to FIVE ENTIRE QUIZZES OF QUESTIONS TO BE GONE! This makes it IMPOSSIBLE to finish ANYTHING. Also, this website, again, cares nothing about the kids and IS JUST HERE FOR YOUR MONEY. This leaves a gaping hole in your wallet that you could do SO MUCH MORE WITH, it’s insane! Also, when you use the app to monitor your children, you can’t even tell what your kids are doing because the data readings are SO CONFUSING, and my child has not learned anything from this. The lessons are hard to understand for my kid, and the explanations do not help. I know that schools give it for free and it sponsors global warming prevention and all that stupid stuff, but really, it’s a careless mess made by a money hoarder.
I personally guarantee that YOU AND YOUR CHILD will HATE THIS.
Cons: can be time consuming + those knowledge checks YIKES!
Grades Used: 9&10
Having parents who understand math gave me a super strong foundation and understanding in math to began with.
I worked hard starting Algebra. Giving up part of my summer to study Algebra 1 for 5weeks in a camp. I than took Algebra 1 that school yr.
I have also studied on IXL and Khan.
ALEKS is wonderful if you have the foundation. Entering HS I started Algebra 2 Honors and my first time on ALEKS
I am currently in 10th and study
College Algebra +Trig and completed the ALEKS – I was able to move into PRE-CALC on ALEKS…
this will allow me AP CALC BC for 11th grade.
No program will be successful if you do not have a good foundation in math. Best of Luck and I recommend the Demystify Math help books.
Cons: Cost ($$$)
Grades Used: 8th grande and 9th grade (current)
O.K. This is a shout out to all of the parents and students out there. DO NOT turn ALEKS down for just what other people “complain” about it. I am a High School Freshman, and I was given the ALEKS account for free because my Middle School had a license for it. I was the only kid to get one hundred percent in my “pie chart”, so I was given a free Geometry account (since that I was doing Algebra 1 a the time. And there has been percentages taken at my old school, and it was proven that if you did the Aleks Program, then you had a better chance to pass the EOC. I, personally, only missed three questions, the highest score in the whole school. IT gave me experience on the way that online classes worked, thus brining me to taking Algebra 2 online using FLVS. You see how far it brought me? Now I understand that the program does cost money, but it is worth it because whether your kid struggles in math, is falling behind in the subject, or just wants to get ahead, this is the right program for you to watch as your student succeeds. Because ALEKS is not a chore, its the abitity to succeed.
Cons: Explanations are sometimes lacking clarity.
Grades Used: College
I personally used this program several years ago as a part of a hybrid math class I was taking (half online/half in the classroom). It was for a college level math course. I absolutely loved Aleks. Now admittedly, I did a lot of work outside of the program to understand and solidify concepts. This program is great as a top notch diagnostic tool and once you understand the concept, the practice and explanations are great. You can’t count on this being your ONLY resource for math. However, I feel that’s true with most any subject, having a few resources to pull from is important and beneficial!
Cons: Everything
Grades Used: 7 and 8
It really boring. You learn nothing unlike what some teaches say. I got to 8th grade because my brain not because of some stupid aleks. i don’t care who reads this
Cons: If you need colorful and playful pictures this is not for you
Grades Used: 4,5,6
My child likes Aleks … He likes seeing his progress and he loves filling in his learning ” pie”. My son is advanced in math and has clearly outrun me. The student is not limited to one grade level! If my son advances a grade level mid semester he can start the next one. He has covered 3 grade levels in one semester. The placement test is good finding gaps and already learned knowledge. It is by far the easiest math curriculum to supervise at home. I do not understand the negative reviews – maybe they are for the college math programs? The Elementary and Middle school version is great and easy to understand for the kids. The best thing is that the kids seem to like it. I know several homeschool families who use it and it works well and is popular with the kids.
Cons: It drains the fun out of my child.
It sucks
I just posted a review using my cell phone. And when I read what was posted, the phone reset my words to its own. It is full of grammatical errors. But nonetheless I am sure everyone will understand what I said. Its an example of what I encounter from young people today when they have graduated from the school system. Because you have used computers to teach your kids, they are now speaking computer languages and their human interactions is at a all time low using normal human feelings towards other people. The ‘we are in the computer age’ is just a lame excuse for teaching the kids general human learning and technique. Its sad, when I hear people been interviewed on tv using ‘omg, lol ‘ etc letters lazily instead of normal words expression with educated normal words.
This system is not for a regular school setting, when this is done the kids are not taught by normal human class interaction teacher-students. Notice I use the students plural. I returning to college and the Alex program is used for math. Its the most frustrating and unrewarding teaching technique I have ever seemed . Your not been taught, but instead tutored.. There are people I the class that are taking it for a second time. I can believe that our schools are using this on our kids and grandkids. No wonder so many scraped by I high schools and ended up in college taking the course more than once. People your kids are not been taught but only tutored. And they leave, barely making it in high school and college. No wonder I see them all over and in jobs and are so illerate and talking crap. They cant write, read or comprehend using their own fingers and brains.
Cons: $
Grades Used: 3rd & 4th
This is my first year homeschooling. Math is not my strong point and I had a hard time selecting a program for my children. After a 2 month free trial, Aleks offered me a 2 for 1 subscription and I accepted. (Otherwise I think it is a bit pricey.)
I love how it shows the child’s progress in a pie chart.. Parents set up their own accounts to view child or children’s individual progress. Aleks also does its own assessment tests or you have the option of doing additional quizzes and tests. You can also print out worksheets.
Aleks is great for my son. He is 4th grade, self-taught and does not need a lot of repetition to learn. He has already completed 4th grade math and is almost complete with 5th grade math.
My daughter who is in 3rd grade has a harder time with it. She likes math but needs lot of repetition and visual aids to help her understand concepts. She is not self-taught. I am considering going another way for math with my daughter.
Grades Used: 4
Love that they give a full two months free! I like the pie chart that shows your child’s progress, improvements, etc. I like that you can print off worksheets if you choose. The quiz that ALEKS generates at your request goes perfectly with what your child has been working on.
Cons: no videos
Grades Used: 8
My son (8th grader) started using ALEKS math last year for pre-algebra and is using it again this year. We travel quite a bit, so it’s nice to take the iPad or laptop with us and not a big, heavy textbook. We (and his teacher) enjoy the print-out which shows how much time he has spent on the different subjects, what he has mastered or needs work on. The only complain I have about ALEKS are there are no videos. It would be helpful to hear or see a person explain a lesson. We usually end up going to youtube or accessing the textbook’s video to explain an area he needs help understanding.
Cons: $$
Grades Used: 3rd and 8th
I signed up for the free 2 month trial and now we’re hooked! My boys really enjoy watching their progress in the pie chart. I like how the program hones in on the areas they need work in and doesn’t waste their or my time by repeating the concepts they know.
Cons: somewhat expensive
Grades Used: 5, 6, 7, 8
My children advanced at a rapid rate when we used Aleks. They especially appreciated being able to see charts and lists representing their progress. There are not that many bells and whistles as far as illustrations go, but the lessons are academic and clear.
Cons: nothing
Grades Used: 4-9
Great program would never go back to any other math programs. This one makes sure your kids are learning math and won’t let them go on if they are struggling. Lets kids work at own pace. We spend 45 – 60 minutes daily on it.
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