Algebra Learning Resource Usability Evaluation

Setup:
Before starting Morae, open the three resources in IE and minimize to task bar.
Have paper & pencil available.

General Instructions:
For the following tasks, imagine that you are a student in a math course that uses the
following resources [see list] to help students learn math concepts . Use these resources
to help you complete the following assignments.

Task A: Combining Like Terms
1. Open the ' Algebra Basics ' page.
2. Use the site to learn about Combining Like Terms and then do the
activity on the 'workout' page on the website.

Post-task instructions:
1. Did participant complete the assignment?
2. Have participant fill out subjective survey
3. Ask participant to describe experience with the web site (record comments, both
positive and negative )

Task B: Word Problems
1. Open the 'A Simple Word Problem' page.
2. Use the site to learn about Word Problems.
3. Review the examples of 'Problems of class x/a = b/c.
4. Find a list of word problems you can try to solve.
[path: problems of class x/a = b/c > bottom of page > 'discussed & solved' link]
5. Solve the 'Crab's Weight' problem.

Post-task instructions:
a. Did participant complete the assignment?
b. Have participant fill out subjective survey
c. Ask participant to describe experience with the web site (record comments, both
positive and negative )

Task C: Exponents
1. Open the 'Exponents' page.
2. Use the site to learn about the Laws of Exponents .
3. Solve the problems on the handout, using the site as needed.

Post-task instructions:
a. Did participant complete the assignment?
b. Have participant fill out subjective survey
c. Ask participant to describe experience with the web site (record comments, both
positive and negative)

Task D: Graphing Equations
1. Open the 'SparkNotes: Graphing Equations' page.
2. Explore the Graphing Equations pages .
3. Solve two of the slope problems on the website.

Post-task instructions:
a. Did participant complete the assignment?
b. Have participant fill out subjective survey
c. Ask participant to describe experience with the web site (record comments, both
positive and negative)

Task E: Solving Linear Equations
1. Open the 'Solver SOLVE Linear Equations ' page.
2. Explore the site for a few minutes to learn about solving linear
equations.
3. Try two of the practice problems.
4. Follow along through the solution . How does it match your
thinking as you solved the problem?

Post-task instructions:
a. Did participant complete the assignment?
b. Have participant fill out subjective survey
c. Ask participant to describe experience with the web site (record comments, both
positive and negative)

Task F: Factoring
1. Open the ' Factoring Numbers ' page.
2. Use the site to learn about factoring.
3. Solve two of the problems on the site.
4. What was it like to use this site to answer the factoring
problems?

Post-task instructions:
a. Did participant complete the assignment?
b. Have participant fill out subjective survey
c. Ask participant to describe experience with the web site (record comments, both
positive and negative)

Exponents Handout

1. Simplify the following:
x8/x2 = _____

2. Solve the following:
2-3 = _____

3. Solve the following:
(42)3 = _

Combining Like Terms Homework
1. Simplify this expression by combining like terms:
3x2 - 6y + 4x2 + 3y

2. Simplify this expression by combining like terms:
4m - 7mn + 7 + 8m

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