Parents and teachers of learners with special needs can individualize the learning environment of Math Skill Builders: Whole Number Arithmetic and take advantage of these features:

• Self-paced Progress
  Students can take as much time as they need to solve arithmetic problems. Each activity can be set to present different numbers of problems -- whatever is appropriate for the individual learners. Students can control the speed of the demonstrations provided by the talking tutor as it shows how to solve addition, subtraction, multiplication and division problems.


• Progressive Difficulty Levels
  Each new arithmetic skill level is just a little bit harder than the last. One new step is learned at each level. The criteria for advancing to a harder level or being returned to review an easier level can be changed to suit individual users.
• Grid
  Students who have visual difficulty may find it helpful to have rows and columns on the screen to show where to line up numbers in solutions. Math Skill Builders has the option to show or hide the grid lines as student solve problems at the computer.
• Choice of Input -- Keyboard or Mouse
  Students can type numbers at the keyboard or use the mouse to select numbers on the screen during Diagnosis and Practice.
• Guided or Non-Guided Number Input
  Guided number input shows the student where to place each number in a solution. Non-guided number input lets students put numbers in the problem without any hints about where the numbers should be placed.
• Control Over Entering Answers
  Depending on what options are selected, students can enter numbers right to left or left to right. The whole stepped-out solution can be required, or students may just enter the numbers in the answer.
• Choice to have Multiple Retries in Practice
  The program can either give immediate feedback about an answer, or it can be set to let the student try to solve a problem more than one time.
• Record-Keeping / Reports
  Status reports appear at the end of each activity. Record-keeping for multiple students provides a history of progress reports that can be printed in data and graph forms. Students can return to the program at the arithmetic skill levels at which they were most recently working.
• Fifty Two Skill Levels
  The definitions of arithmetic skill levels can be used for setting objectives in IEPs and lesson plans. Skill level definitions are shown during all activities so that both the teacher and the student always know the current learning goal. See how the objectives met at the Math Skill Builders skill levels align with state standards.