By Mary Murrin
VP Marketing, Carnegie Learning

The letter to the editor reprinted below is a response to an article recently published about Dr. Steve Ritter (our Chief Scientist) in the Pittsburgh Post- Gazette. It’s encouraging. Kids often care more about learning than we might think, and are looking for more and better experiences that engage and inspire.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Math comfort

The Sept. 3 article "The Thinkers: He's Taking Unknown Out of Teaching Algebra" struck a personal note for me. As a student who has occasionally had trouble in math classes because I was afraid to ask a question, I think the Cognitive Tutor software seems like the answer to many struggling students' prayers. It not only lets students learn at their own pace, and hone in on troubling areas, it also allows students to feel more comfortable to ask questions.

Students, like myself, often feel as though their questions are foolish, or the teacher does not want to spend time answering them. With this program, however, all students should feel comfortable asking questions, working through their problems and taking the time they need.

Though I am in my senior year of high school and will never get the opportunity to use the program, I hope that it will be implemented into math curriculums nationwide so students will be able to face math with confidence and succeed.

COURTNEY STRAUSS
McCandless

Courtesy of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07254/816368-35.stm