Title of Effective Practice: - California Postsecondary Education ...

Direct Connection to Policy Area 5 of The Illinois Commitment
Self-Paced, On-line, Developmental Math Sequence
South Suburban College of Cook County
What issue or need is addressed by the effective practice?
South Suburban College (SSC) has established a need to accommodate varying instructional paces for students.
Even though developmental math instructors are faced with a tremendous variation in skills and abilities in their
developmental math courses, it is the differing pace among students which makes instruction even more
challenging. In particular, some returning adult students place low into the developmental sequence; however,
they quickly pick up information which they had seen many years ago. These motivated students are able to
benefit from a self-paced, on-line instructional environment which guides them through the developmental math
concepts (and courses) at an increased speed. We have found that this type of instruction addresses students’
needs more directly than traditional alterations of course schedules to shorten or lengthen the instructional
weeks.
Description of the effective practice:
This on-line instruction revolves around a software package known as ALEKS (Assessment and LEarning in
Knowledge Spaces). ALEKS is an artificial intelligence-based system for individualized math learning and
assessment via the World Wide Web. A textbook and video tutorial are integrated with the course objectives.
In this format, students receive personalized mathematics assessments and programming based upon their
deficiencies. Students are not spending time repeating math concepts which they already know. This helps to
accelerate their movement through the developmental coursework which they are lacking. Within the same
semester, students can move through the various courses depending upon how far they progress. Some students
may go through one course, others two, and some may accomplish three within the same semester.
How does this practice achieve sustainability?
This practice requires a mathematics faculty member (and the department) to embrace and shepherd the concept.
We have been fortunate to have a very active mathematics department. We have one faculty member who is
trained in the ALEKS program. To ensure continuation of this type of instructional programming, we will need
to train other math faculty in the ALEKS system.
What are the results/measurable outcomes?
The mathematics instructor who has led the development of this program on campus has collected several years
of assessment data. He has verified through his studies that students attain a greater mastery of the course
concepts through the utilization of the ALEKS program. He believes that the constant testing and checking for
conceptual understanding reinforces the information. He has found that “A” and “B” level students have a
greater tendency for success with this format and tend to benefit most from the structure.
Contact Information
Name: Diane Ostojic
Email: dostojic@southsuburbancollege.edu
Phone: (708) 210-5716
170