Exceptional students are drawn to Rensselaer in part by our rigorous education standards. ALAC offers many services to help you meet your academic goals effectively:
- Tutoring services cover course-specific material in interactive group sessions for many undergraduate core courses, with an emphasis on first-year and second-year classes.
- Learning support includes individual academic coaching by professional staff on organizational skills, time management, learning strategies, and similar topics critical to academic success. ALAC’s full range of learning assistance helps students start well, stay focused, and succeed in their academic adventure. Contact us at 518.276.6269 for more details about services. We are here to help.
Tutoring Services
Tutoring services cover course-specific material in interactive group sessions for many undergraduate core courses, with an emphasis on first-year and second-year classes in the schools of science and engineering.
Drop-in tutoring provides opportunities for undergraduates to review class material with graduate and undergraduate tutors proficient in the course topics. The goal is to help students become independent learners by having tutors guide them through solving practice problems while demonstrating strategies for exploring a topic. Their role is not to provide answers, but rather to help students understand questions and identify methods for solving them.
Drop-In Tutoring Schedule -
During the fall, spring, and summer semesters Drop-in tutoring sessions are offered for selected courses in the schools of science and engineering. During the summer semesters some courses may be scheduled on an Individual/Small Group basis.
- If you need assistance with an undergraduate level course that is NOT listed below - please contact Sharon McGrath at mcgras@rpi.edu - please include course number and course title.
- If you need assistance with a 4000-level course we will try our best to locate a tutor however, there is no guarantee that one will be found. In such cases we highly recommend that you seek additional assistance from your professor or TA.
- IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BECOME A TUTOR PLEASE CONTACT Sharon McGrath as mcgras@rpi.edu
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-------- SPRING 2025 Drop In Tutoring --------
--- SCHEDULE - TBA ---
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STUDY DAYS TUTORING - ALUMNI HOUSE DEC. 11th and DEC.12th
Sponsored by Red/White Association
| WED DEC. 11th | 11 AM - 12 PM | 12 PM - 3 PM |
| CSCI 1100 COMP SCI I | CSCI 1100 COMP SCI I | |
| CSCI 12300 DATA STRUCT. | CSCI 1200 DATA STRUCT | |
| ENGR 1100 IEA | ENGR 1100 IEA | |
| MATH 1010 CALC I | MATH 1010 CALC I | |
| MATH 1020 CALC II | MATH 1020 CALC II | |
| MATH 2010 MULTIVAR CALC | MATH 2010 MULTIVAR CALC | |
| MATH 2400 INTRO DIFF EQ | MATH 2400 INTRO DIFF EQ | |
| PHYS 1100 PHYS I | PHYS 1100 PHYS I | |
| PHYS 1200 PHYS II | PHYS 1200 PHYS II | |
| THUR. DEC. 12th | 11 AM - 12 PM | 12 PM - 3 PM |
| CSCI 1100 COMP SCI I | CSCI 1100 COMP SCI I | |
| CSCI 1200 DATA STRUCT | CSCI 1200 DATA STRUCT | |
| ENGR 1100 IEA | ENGR 1100 | |
| ENGR 2600 MAU | ENGR 2600 MAU | |
| MATH 1010 CALC I | MATH 1010 CALC I | |
| MATH 1020 CALC II | MATH 1020 CALC II | |
| MATH 2010 MULTIVAR CALC | MATH 2010 MULTIVA CALC | |
| MATH 2400 INTRO DIFF EQ | MATH 2400 INTRO DIFF EQ | |
| PHYS 1100 PHYS I | PHYS 1100 PHYS I | |
| PHYS 1200 PHYS II | PHYS 1200 PHYS II |
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Learning Support
The Rensselaer academic experience brings many new and exciting challenges to some of the finest young minds in the world. For such students, high school work may have been easy, with no need to study or to think about how to study. The more challenging college curriculum, though, may require learning new skills to adapt to the new circumstances. Academic support is also available for students referred by Rensselaer’s Office of Disability Services.
ALEKS New Pilot Math Tutoring Program
What is ALEKS (Assessment and Learning in Knowledge Spaces)?
ALEKS is an AI online program to help students prepare for Rensselaer’s Calculus 1. ALEKS develops an individualized program based the student’s math skills.
The first step: Assessment
Students take the Initial Knowledge Check (IKC) of 25 questions that takes 60-90 minutes to complete. After the IKC, the students can view their strengths and weaknesses and begin to refresh their knowledge on forgotten topics, including trigonometry, linear functions, Vectors, Algebraic expressions, etc.
ALEKS Prep for Calculus at RPI:
- Is a pilot program for a selected number of entering first year students
- Has an Initial Knowledge Check
- Provides Individualized Prep and Learning Modules that are self-paced
To complete the program and be better prepared for the fall semester, we will ask a selected number of participants to be involved in SIX-week math preparatory learning modules from end of June through August. What you need to know:
- ALEKS Program will strengthen, and refresh knowledge needed for Fall
- At Rensselaer, students cannot use calculators in their math classes
- SIX weeks starts when the student hits “Select;”
- The student’s commitment would be 4-5 hours per week for six weeks
- Once the student starts the program, individualized work module and prompts will be given to help students through problems sets and encourage completion
- Participants who complete 80%+ of the program will be put into a lottery for a $400 gift card to the RPI bookstore
- ALAC and RPI’s Chatbot #Puckman will reach out to students periodically to encourage and troubleshoot any problems with the program
Due to the loss in math skills nationally over the pandemic years, Rensselaer has noticed an impact on our students’ knowledge level and recall of preparatory material for Calculus 1. Since math classes do not allow calculators, crib sheets or any other aids when taking a quiz or exams it is extremely important students can recall and use concepts from Pre-Calculus. Rensselaer wants to help students strengthen those skills by giving them an opportunity to practice and review topics. It is designed to help students regain that knowledge and succeed academically in the long run.
FAQ
Who will be identified for ALEKS Prep for Calculus?
The Undergraduate Education Office will work with Admissions to select the students who would most benefit to participate in the program.
How long it will take to complete the program?
The program will be active for 6 weeks, and for the best practice, you can expect 4-5 hours of commitment per week. We strongly encourage you to practice and complete tasks weekly to successfully complete the program.
How long do I have access to my Prep and Learning Module?
You will have 6 weeks of access to your Prep and Learning module. Access to the prep course will not begin until you select start on the top of your screen. DO NOT select into the Prep and Learning Module until you are ready to start working.
When do I take the ALEKS PPL Assessment?
ALEKS will be open on June 26, 2023. Designated students will receive instructions on how to sign up and start the ALEKS PPL Assessment.
Is there a fee for using ALEKS PPL? It is FREE!
Do I need to install any software or plug-ins prior to taking the ALEKS Placement Assessment? No. There are no required plug-ins or applets required with your use of ALEKS. As long as you have access to the internet and are using an updated browser, you should not experience difficulties in accessing ALEKS. For a list of preferred browsers, please review the ALEKS system requirements on their support site: http://www.aleks.com/support/system_requirements
What are ALEKS Knowledge Checks? While working in a Prep and Learning Module, you will periodically complete a Knowledge Check to make sure you have mastered the topics you gained in Learning Mode. If you do not show mastery during the Knowledge Check, the topics will be added back into your Learning Pie so you can review them again.
Technical Support
What do I do if my web browser gets stuck or my computer crashes while I'm working in ALEKS? Simply close the browser, or log out and log back in. ALEKS will resume exactly where you left off, with no loss of your previous answers.
Where can I get help with ALEKS?
Remote Learning
Here you will find exectuive functioning information and tips that can help you during your online learning.
Learning Assistant Program
The Learning Assistant (LA) is a Rensselaer student who is responsible for assisting first-year students in becoming active, independent and successful learners. LA's are assigned to a specific residence hall where they reside and assume responsibility for interacting frequently with the residents of that hall and providing academic-related programs, information and assistance. The LA provides a direct academic support service and acts as a liaison between Advising and Learning Assistance Center and their undergraduates.