TrustRadius Insights for ALEKS are summaries of user sentiment data from TrustRadius reviews and, when necessary, third party data sources.
Pros
Comprehensive Tool: Users have found ALEKS to be a comprehensive tool that reduces the burden and complexity of studying mathematics when properly implemented with the course. Some users appreciate the set up of ALEKS and find the text videos helpful for introducing new subjects, although they mention that the videos alone are not sufficient for learning everything. Overall, reviewers feel that ALEKS offers a comprehensive solution for studying math.
Gap Filling and Accelerated Learning: ALEKS has features that help fill in gaps in prior academic knowledge and accelerate learning for all students. English learners particularly appreciate the dual-language support and interactive dictionary with visuals, videos, and examples provided by ALEKS. This feature helps them grasp mathematical concepts more effectively.
Boosts Long-Term Retention: ALEKS is highly regarded by students for boosting long-term retention through mixed review. The visual pie chart allows students to see their own progress, motivating them to complete their program and advance to the next grade. Students love being able to work at their own pace while also having a clear understanding of their progress through the pie chart feature in ALEKS.
Most of the department uses ALEKS for developmental classes in an emporium model setting. One section of traditional developmental is sometimes taught.
Pros
Helps students fill in gaps in their learning
Allows students to work at their own pace
Encourages learning
Cons
Reports can confuse students
Limited ways to solve a problem
Can lead to mimicry
Likelihood to Recommend
ALEKS does a great job of helping students fill in the gaps in their learning so that they have a solid foundation to move on to higher-level mathematics. It works very well with self-motivated students. It doesn't seem to work as well with less motivated students.
ALEKS is used by the entire Math Department at my school weekly. We use it in a variety of forms, including warm-up, independent work, homework as well as a tool to differentiate instruction to the individual learning needs of each student. To help close knowledge gaps in foundational math that prevent students from succeeding in high school math courses.
Pros
Differentiating instruction
Tailoring individualized curriculum to cater to each student's unique needed.
Cons
Lengthy Knowledge Check must be passed for instruction to begin.
It does not connect data to Schoology (learning management/grading system used by the school district).
Likelihood to Recommend
Among the specific scenarios where ALEKS is well suited would be independent work time during which each student could work on improving foundational math skills or on practicing topics recently learned in class. ALEKS is less appropriate when instructing more involved topics (i.e., Algebra 2 material), which would require whole-class instruction by the teacher first.