College Preparatory Mathematics (www.cpm.org)

CPM teaching strategies focus on how students best learn and retain mathematics. Teaching strategies rely on the recommendations of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, and are based solidly on the methodological research in teaching mathematics. The research-based principles that guide the course are:

• Students should engage in problem-based lessons structured around a core idea.

• Guided by a knowledgeable teacher, students should interact in groups to foster mathematical discourse.

• Practice with concepts and procedures should be spaced over time; that is, mastery comes over time.

On a daily basis, students using CPM Core Connections employ problem solving strategies, question, investigate, analyze critically, gather and construct evidence, and communicate rigorous arguments to justify their thinking. With the CPM instructional materials, students can tackle mathematical ideas set in everyday contexts to help them make sense of otherwise abstract principles. Students are taught how to gather and organize information about problems, break problems into smaller parts, and look for patterns that lead to solutions. Students often learn in collaboration with others, sharing information, expertise, and ideas.

ALEKS (www.aleks.com)

ALEKS corporation is a leader in the creation of Web-based, artificially intelligent, educational software.  ALEKS is founded on groundbreaking research in mathematical cognitive science known as Knowledge Space Theory.  Through adaptive questioning, ALEKS accurately assesses a student's knowledge state and then delivers targeted instruction on the exact topics the student is most ready to learn.