following letter quoted from Carrick High School:

I have been working with PUMP Algebra 1 tutor, which was developed by John Anderson and staff, for three years. I believe the tutors help students to visualize problems. Since the students need a correct response before she/he can continue in the tutor problems, it gives instant feedback to the students. The problems vary in degree of difficulty, thus enabling the student to work at their own pace.

If a problem is too difficult for a student, there are hints to help the student. There are several hints given before the tutor actually gives the student the answer. Also if a student needs more work in a specific area, the tutor will not allow a student to pass to another section until the student has mastered the previous section or worked all the problems in that section. This is one feature I find very helpful in working with the variety of student abilities in one class. Since the tutor can explain or give hints as to the solution to the problem, I am free to spend time with the slower student.

Since the students are so visually oriented, it is easy to tie in the tutor use and the book use, I have used the set up of the tutor to explain the book work.

Several students make sure they are early on computer days. The students seem to enjoy the freedom of working at their own pace and now having to wait until everyone understands the problem being covered. Also several students like to see who has done the most lessons in the tutor. It gives them a sense of competition.


Sincerely,

Janice Toth
(Mathematics teacher)