http://www.learningco.com

 Software Description:

Grade Builder: Algebra 1 is an educational math program that takes place in the Infinity Cyber Learning Café. Here, the topic of Algebra 1 is covered from every angle as users listen to peer tutors, work through interactive lessons and participate in two games that enhance the lessons that were just taught or cover topics that were previously studied. Through the use of real world problems and comparisons, students gain a better understanding about Algebra and how it relates to everyday life.

As the user enters the café, three main components will be found. The first piece deals with the Algebra lessons. The Learning Company has included a "Textbook Guarantee" to enhance this program. Included in this software are ties to 20 of the most popular Algebra textbooks on the market. Therefore, as a user enters the lesson portion, they can choose their particular textbook. This allows the user to get precise help on any specific topic, section, or chapter. If the program does not contain the exact match for your textbook, the user can download this information from The Learning Company’s Web site. If a match is still not found, then all one has to do is contact the company and they will hunt down the information for you. By entering this component, interactive lessons are taught by the peer tutors in the café. The information is presented in a clear and precise way. At the end of the lesson, the user is directed to one of the games presented in the program that is designed to enhance this particular section.

The other two components deal with the game portions to this software. Each game covers a specific section, therefore depending on which topic you wish to review will depend on which game you play. The first game is called "Death by Algebra" and it is done in a Jeopardy style format in which you answer a series of questions that reinforce the topics desired. Each question has a point value and the questions get harder as the value increases. Once the 4 by 4 grid is cleared, a scrambled up picture is found. Eventually the pieces are put together in the right way and this is the prize the user has won. However, the prize will not be discovered unless the user protects the five lives the player starts with. Meanwhile, "Soak Your Sibling" covers the remaining topics in an arcade style game. With this game, your intent is to answer the question quickly enough so that you can toss water balloons at your opponent. Of course if you are to slow or answer questions wrong then water balloons start heading in your direction. Both games do a good job in covering the intended Algebra questions and the pool of questions seems endless.

 Accuracy of Content:

The content of this program is done very well. The activities are interesting and the voices that are included are entertaining. The fact that this program tries to align itself with the user’s specific textbook is a tremendous boost for this software program. It allows students to use supplemental material to enhance their present textbook. Students will have a place where they can go for the teaching of a lesson or for extra help. The entire Algebra process is covered through the basic textbook offered or through the specific textbook. Students in the Algebra track will benefit from this software as a refresher or as support.

 Technical Quality:

The program is very easy to use and runs very smoothly. Installation of this program was simple and took only a few minutes. The program walks you through the café and all of its components as you enter. The icons make maneuvering around the program easy with help, main menu, options, start, end, and pause buttons. The graphics are eye catching with bright colors and animated screens. The conversations between the peer tutors are humorous but appropriate. The sounds for the games and the voices of the characters are encouraging and upbeat.

 Use of Technology:

This program is an excellent use of technology as it can be used to teach a lesson from the textbook or it allows for students to get tutorial for areas where they may need help. The games keep the students striving for accurate answers and the timer can push students to perform at a faster rate. The software does allow for different ability levels by turning the timer off so students have more time to focus on the problem at hand. This program is a great tool to have at home or in the classroom as a supplemental tool.

 Role of the Student:

This program gives the students flexibility with what they wish to learn or review. The user can choose the topic, section or chapter they wish to concentrate on. By going into the lessons, a presentation will be made about the topic, while the games allow for numerous problems to be solved. The student can not print their work so any assessment by the teacher must be made as they look on.

 Role of the Teacher:

The teacher will need to do a quick overview of the program but once the students get involved the program runs without many hassles so further prompting will not be needed. There are not many supplemental ideas off of this software because this software is intended to be such an alternative. It can be the teacher as well as the tutor.

 Classroom Usage:

This program can be easily added to the classroom because of its ability to teach and to review. This is a great tool to be used when students seem to be struggling on a particular topic and for when they are reviewing for a test. Each student could be working on a separate section and practicing with the areas that they struggle with. The framework of the lessons and the games were well thought out and will set the student at ease as they progress through the components.

 Critical Summary:

Overall, this software is a wonderful supplemental piece that is very useful in the classroom, as well as in the home. Having a software program that has the flexibility to align itself with many of today’s Algebra textbooks is a great asset to this software. If I could make one suggestion to improve the program it would deal with incorrect answers. I would try to add an icon where a student could go and see how the program solved a particular question (that they got wrong) correctly. The game side of this program may turn some people off, but I feel the benefits of this program out weigh the negatives which a game atmosphere brings. Coming from a middle school background may lead me to believe this view where at the high school level games may seem more juvenile.

 Overall Rating (Based on a Scale of 1 to 10): 9

This program is a solid educational tool that will enhance Algebra textbooks in existence, because the program will align itself section by section. The user will not have to search to find their topic because they will know exactly which section to look in. The graphics, voices, sounds, animation and concept only add to the impression of this software. My only wish were that the program would walk students through problems they answered incorrectly, therefore they could see where they went wrong. Grade Builder: Algebra 1 is a wonderful program that allows for easy navigation, independent work and complete understanding of the Algebra concepts.