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Use Talking Arithmetic Tutor to improve addition, subtraction, multiplication and division skills by following these steps:
1) Set the operation and skill level.
Choose the Automatic mode. The Tutor shows how to solve problems at 13 different levels for each arithmetic operation . If the student does not know any arithmetic, set the difficulty to 1 and choose addition as the operation. If the student has some arithmetic skills, pick an operation and find the highest level at which the student can always solve the problem. Start working on the next higher level.
2) Watch demonstrations.
Students can start by watching the tutor solve the problems. Set the speed slow enough that the student can follow every step. Then press Start. You can also let the student press Single Step to see each step in the solution. If the student did not understand how to solve a problem, start the demonstration over with the same problem. Press Another Problem to keep getting different problems at the same skill level.
3) Talk about each step.
The Tutor describes what is happening at each step. It may help some students for them to discuss each step as they watch the problem being solved. This is a good chance for parents and teachers to interact with the students.
4) Anticipate the numbers in the solution.
Once students have seen several demonstrations they should begin to understand how to solve the problems. They should try to tell what numbers will appear where, before the Tutor shows the step on screen.
5) Solve complete problems.
After watching a few demonstrations, the student should try to solve the problems. When a problem appears, the student should try to tell the answer, or write the problem and solution on paper. Then watch the tutor to see if the solution was correct.
6) Progress through levels of difficulty
When the student can consistently tell how to solve problems at one level, try a harder level. Gradually increase the levels of difficulty as the student learns how to solve the problems. Students can work on more than one operation. Once a student has mastered some basic addition, try the lower levels of subtraction. Start multiplication and division gradually in the same way.
7) Use the Tutor to show how to work specific problems
Students can enter problems for the tutor to solve. Set the problem mode to Manual. Students type in their problems. Watch the tutor solve the problem. Compare the tutor's solution with the student's solution.
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