Suggestions and Tips for Teachers

1. Start from the beginning even for more advance students so they get the “hang” of the program.  They will move quickly, but this reinforces their sense of accomplishment.


2. Tie advancing levels to a reward system.  If you are a teacher, make it part of their grade.


3. Never, ever help students solve the problems without using the hints.  This destroys the feedback system, which attempts to measure the student’s understanding.  If you help a student, you must always go to at least hint 2 so the problem will be repeated.


4. It is far better to work for an extended time up to 1 hour than to work for short periods.  It takes a while for students to get into the mode of being an active problem solver.


5. To obtain the maximum benefit, the student should work at least three times per week for 50 minutes or more.


6. Consider competition with other students.  Most students are positively motivated to move ahead of others.


7. Students frequently say the answer is wrong or the computer is broken.  Encourage them to read the problem and hints slowly.


8. If students get frustrated or discouraged, it is a sign they think they understand it, but they don’t.  Students have their greatest breakthroughs after returning again to try the problem.


9. It is often better to not use a calculator when solving word problems.  If, on the other hand, the student hasn’t mastered calculation skills and this proves too frustrating, let them use a calculator.