MacGuide Review of Algebra I HomeworkTutor
Copyright MacGuide Aug, '89
Algebra I Homework Tutor is a long
name for a program, but absolutely
accurate. The program does not
attempt to teach algebra, but instead
acts as an interactive tool to help a
student solve homework or practice
problems.
The student types in a sample
problem from a textbook, a workbook,
a practice page, whatever. The
program has a built-in math editor
called Math Paper that understands
algebra notation. It automatically
superscripts exponents as you enter
a problem and evaluates a completed
entry to make sure that it's valid.
At it's simplest level, Homework Tutor
acts as an unobtrusive monitor,
checking over your shoulder as you
work and correcting errors. When a
student has entered a problem, for
example, the program simply waits
until the student types in an answer,
or a first step toward an answer
(combining like terms in an equation,
for instance). When a step is
completed, the student selects Check
Progress from the Tutor menu. An X
appears in a small box next to the
problem if the step is incorrect.
When the student reaches a final
answer, he selects Check Answer. If
the answer is correct, Homework
Tutor circles it.
(cont'd next column)
Algebra I Homework Tutor is a long
name for a program, but absolutely
accurate. The program does not
attempt to teach algebra, but instead
acts as an interactive tool to help a
student solve homework or practice
problems.
The student types in a sample
problem from a textbook, a workbook,
a practice page, whatever. The
program has a built-in math editor
called Math Paper that understands
algebra notation. It automatically
superscripts exponents as you enter
a problem and evaluates a completed
entry to make sure that it's valid.
At it's simplest level, Homework Tutor
acts as an unobtrusive monitor,
checking over your shoulder as you
work and correcting errors. When a
student has entered a problem, for
example, the program simply waits
until the student types in an answer,
or a first step toward an answer
(combining like terms in an equation,
for instance). When a step is
completed, the student selects Check
Progress from the Tutor menu. An X
appears in a small box next to the
problem if the step is incorrect.
When the student reaches a final
answer, he selects Check Answer. If
the answer is correct, Homework
Tutor circles it.
(cont'd next column)
(cont'd)
The program would have some value
even if it did nothing more than this,
but if you don't understand how to do
something, trial and error by itself isn't
going to help. Homework Tutor does
more, though, by providing several
levels of excellent instructional hints
and help along the way to a solution.
For example, the simple but clear
tutorial in the beginning of the manual
takes you through a solution for the
problem 3a-5a.If you're not sure how to
approach the problem, the first level of
hint is "How do we add terms such as
3a and a?" If that doesn't clarify the
question for you, the next level hint
asks "Do you remember the rule: ax +
bx = (a+b)x?" and so on.
Besides entering problems from a
textbook, the student can also have the
program generate problems at three
levels of difficulty. She can reject the
program's choice until one comes
along that is suitable. In this way a
student can challenge his
understanding and try progressively
more difficulty work.
Homework Tutor has a very basic
manual. It is inexpensively put together
but generally very clear and easy to
follow with extensive illustrations. It
even has bits of humor sprinkled in.
The program would have some value
even if it did nothing more than this,
but if you don't understand how to do
something, trial and error by itself isn't
going to help. Homework Tutor does
more, though, by providing several
levels of excellent instructional hints
and help along the way to a solution.
For example, the simple but clear
tutorial in the beginning of the manual
takes you through a solution for the
problem 3a-5a.If you're not sure how to
approach the problem, the first level of
hint is "How do we add terms such as
3a and a?" If that doesn't clarify the
question for you, the next level hint
asks "Do you remember the rule: ax +
bx = (a+b)x?" and so on.
Besides entering problems from a
textbook, the student can also have the
program generate problems at three
levels of difficulty. She can reject the
program's choice until one comes
along that is suitable. In this way a
student can challenge his
understanding and try progressively
more difficulty work.
Homework Tutor has a very basic
manual. It is inexpensively put together
but generally very clear and easy to
follow with extensive illustrations. It
even has bits of humor sprinkled in.
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