SmartZoid - Learning the Smartzoid way. Fun. Effective.

SmartZoid Registered User Q&A

Where do I get SmartZoid math problems to practice?
SmartZoid is online learning! Log on to your SmartZoid account everyday. You will get SmartZoid math problems specifically prepared for you.

How often should I use SmartZoid?
SmartZoid recommends practicing a little bit every day rather than a lot once a week. This will help children to retain the skills they are learning longer. If once a day is not practical, try to practice, at least 4 days a week. We recommend a minimum of one assignment (that will take an average of 15 minutes) each day.

What will happen if my child misses a day of assignments?
Missing one day is not a big problem. But, as SmartZoid is available via Internet, you can use it from anywhere in the world. Completing the work regularly is a key to success. This will improve the discipline, confidence, and expertise for any mathematics student. Missing too many days in a row will disrupt the continuity and build up of learning. That is why we have designed the SmartZoid technology to suit the schedules of families of the 21st century.

How many assignments can a student do daily?
SmartZoid recommends students do at least one assignment a day. This will help the student to progress in a consistent manner. A student may work on up to a maximum of three assignments daily. However, remember that it is more important that a student to do a little bit each day than do a lot once in awhile.

How many math problems are in each assignment?
SmartZoid first generates assignments with 15 problems. Depending on how well the student progresses, and how quickly each problem is completed, the number of problems can increase to as many as 40 problems per assignment, to fully challenge the speed and accuracy of that student.

My child has already mastered certain skills. Why does SmartZoid repeat problems in that area?
SmartZoid has a built in mechanism that is able to understand your child's learning ability and expertise. If your child answers all the questions accurately and very quickly, then SmartZoid will gradually accelerate the complexity of the problems and will move him/her to the next level sooner. Also, we feel that students always need an occasional review of all skills, even if mastered, so that all skills are always available at the strongest level of understanding for solving whatever problems may arrive on assignments or tests, in school, or in life.

What is "Practice", and what is "Homework"?
In Practice mode the student will get immediate feedback and will be given Hints to help in completing each problem. In Homework mode, the student will not get feedback or hints. SmartZoid starts a sublevel in Practice mode. As the student progresses, it will change to Homework mode within an appropriate time for that child.

For how long will a student be at the Practice or Homework Mode?
The student will be in Practice Mode for 6 to 15 days and in Homework mode for 6 to 20 days, depending on how fast the student learns,.

What is an "intermediate" test and what is a "final" test?
SmartZoid assesses the student's performance on a daily basis. In addition, SmartZoid conducts tests to assess the performance in a specific area. An "intermediate" test is conducted by SmartZoid for each sublevel to assess the student's performance at that sublevel. A "final" test is conducted to assess the student's cumulative performance of all the skills at the current level.

If a student fails a test, will the student be held back in the same level or sublevel?
No. Since SmartZoid assesses the student's performance on a daily basis, tests are used to aggregate the child's performance level. If a student fails an intermediate test, she/he will be allowed to take one more test before being promoted to the next sublevel. If the student fails a final test, she will be asked to take the test two more times after a few more review exercises. Then the student will be promoted to the next level, and SmartZoid will register the various developmental areas of the student. SmartZoid will continue having the student practice the areas of weakness from previous levels, as appropriate, along with the material from the current level. Thus, a student will neither get stuck on one level for too long, nor moved ahead without continuing to work on areas that still need strengthening. Sometimes, students find improvement with earlier material when it is embedded in other skills at a later level.

For how long will a student be at each sublevel or level?
SmartZoid adjusts the length of the levels and sublevels depending on how fast the student progresses.
Sublevel: SmartZoid automatically promotes the student to the next sublevel as soon as it determines that the student has mastered the skills in that sublevel. Depending on the student, the student will be promoted to the next sublevel in 12 to 40 days of assignments.
Level: A fast student can complete a level in 2 to 3 months. A student will not be retained at any level for more than 10 months.

What are the Accuracy and Speed percentages shown on the Intelliboard™?
These are the percentages that tell how fast the student answers the questions and how accurate their answers are. 100% Accuracy means that the student completed every problem correctly. For Speed, any number above 100% shows that the student is working faster than is expected, on average. Typically, students who attempt SmartZoid for the first time will start slower. Over time as they improve their skills and become accustomed to the SmartZoid system, they will speed up. This immediate feedback appears after each assignment to help the student understand his/her current position and to help develop future study and practice plans.

How do I know whether my child has completed the daily SmartZoid assignment, or not?
The Intellibench™ provides very useful information that includes progress reports, activity reports, test reports, and trend reports. You simply need to log on to your account to access these. Activity reports clearly show the last assignment your child has completed. In addition, if your child missed three consecutive days' of homework, a reminder e-mail will be sent to your family.

Which matters more: speed of completion or accuracy of completion?
Both. A student who develops skills in improving both accuracy and speed will do very well in school and on standardized tests such as the SAT and state tests.

My child says that s/he is not challenged?
Using test and daily assignment scores, SmartZoid individually tailors the next assignments based on your child’s specific needs at that time. We also believe in the importance of mastery and review of skills. If your child has truly mastered the current skills, SmartZoid will automatically increase the challenge level and/or will promote him/her faster. As always, if you think that your child has worked on a skills far beyond his/her mastery level, feel free to contact us at any time, and a SmartZoid Mathematics Specialist will review your child’s placement, and determine whether a change is indeed appropriate.

My child says that s/he is bored. How do I motivate him/her?
This may vary from child to child, with each individual’s needs. Try to find ways to make the experience fun and meaningful. Remind your child that using SmartZoid allows him/her to use technology to do schoolwork. Encourage your child to keep track of his/her own progress. If necessary, maybe you can offer some small reward for completing a sublevel or level. Remind your child that a little bit each day (or every other day), is easier than one or two hours once a week.

My child is getting the same type of problems again and again. Why?
SmartZoid believes in the importance of mastery and review. While students often pick up how to complete arithmetic algorithms readily, sometimes it takes some extra repetitions for there to be a greater level understanding and facility with the process. Furthermore, like muscles on an athlete, or a musician practicing scales, it is important for a math student to always have a solid understanding of the basics as most higher math is based upon the foundations of previous levels of study.

My child is studying a particular math topic in the school, how do I use SmartZoid to give him/her more assignments in that area?
SmartZoid has developed various sets of Specific Skills in different areas of mathematics for just this purpose. While the SmartZoid program was carefully designed for a student to practice a small set of different skills at the same academic level, Specific Skills allows the student to also give more focus to just one area at a time. For more information about Specific Skills, please click on this link: http://www.smartzoid.com/specificskills.php

If your questions are not answered here please send your questions to support@smartzoid.com.

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