Algebra World: An Algebra Introduction

The CD-ROM program Algebra World provides a multimedia presentation to an Introduction to Algebra and Geometry Concepts. The program is divided into the following topics: expressions; integers; equations; ratios, proportions, and percents; and geometry.

The program begins by asking students to obtain five map pieces by correctly completing the challenge exercises from each division. Once the five map pieces are gathered, a student may launch a rocket in the map room. The rocket launch signifies the student’s mastery of the topics covered and visually presents various occupations that use mathematics.

The graphics and sound of this program are outstanding, and they complement the instructional examples and real-life relationships of the topics covered. The program’s Map Room illustrates the map pieces when they are obtained. The Computer Room allows the teacher or student to check on the user’s current status. The difficulty level of each section can be chosen and changed at any time during a practice or challenge session.

Every division except geometry has a practice session, which reviews all the topics presented in the section’s lessons before one tries the challenge exercises, and tracks the number of correct and incorrect responses for each session.

The software comes with a comprehensive user’s manual that describes the program and its use and contains instructional worksheets and solutions to the worksheets and challenge exercises. The learning objectives of the program are well explained, and the NCTM’s Standards addressed by the program are also noted. In contrast to the software questions, the worksheets also ask for each topic several questions that require students to generate and write a response to explain their reasoning. The software does an outstanding job of introducing basic algebra and geometry concepts. Students who were studying basic algebra used this software. They loved the illustrations and sound effects, and they enjoyed interacting with the computer-generated manipulatives. The sound can be lowered or turned off if desired. Many of the questions require students to round answers to the nearest hundredth place value. Students were allowed to use calculators, since one is not accessible from the program. Student’s enjoyed completing the challenge exercises to obtain their map piece. The instructional worksheets helped students review the program’s content. The program was intrinsically motivational.

Algebra World nicely presents basic algebra and geometry lessons. It is interactive by allowing the user to actively respond to the program’s queries throughout the instruction, practice, and challenge sections.

The title of the user’s manual is Algebra World, an Algebra Introduction, which does suit the program’s content. An instructor who is looking for a program to supplement instruction with the basic algebra and geometry topics outlined here would find the program beneficial. The program’s multi-media format motivates students who are starting out in basic algebra. Many of the problems presented in the software involve a direct application to a procedural algorithm. The program is effective in showing students how to use the procedures to solve algebraic problems related to the program’s content. However, the program would have been more useful if it included more topics in algebra. Likewise, a greater emphasis could have been placed on presenting more problems to develop students’ critical-thinking skills and help the teacher ascertain these skills. Several of the problems presented in the worksheet exercises would help.

–Albert Alba Jr., Rhode Island Training School, Cranston, RI 02920.