                       SKILL-ORIENTED ALGEBRA, VERSION III
                                     and
                           MATHEMATICS, BASIC SKILLS

                                      by

                               Alfred D'Attore


               Educational software is rarely commercially successful;
          serious stuff; almost never so.  For this reason and because
          I am a man of advanced years, I have decided to place "Skill-
          Oriented Algebra," (SOA), and "Mathematics, Basic Skills,"
          (MBS), in the public domain.  Both program groups produce
          printed exercises designed for direct use by classtroom
          students.  Teachers may use photo-copies to supply exercises
          for an entire class.  Answers are provided and reflect accep-
          ted, in-class formats.
  

                Both packages have been very useful.  "Skill-Oriented
          Algebra," grew out of the repeated failure on my part and on
          the part of my associates, to teach elementary algebra to normal,
          public high school students.  In each school -- and I have taught
          in many -- only a small handful of students could absorb the
          text-based course.  It is a problem that is substantially
          universal, and until now, knew of no rational solution.

               I am a retired military officer with a background in
          engineering and contract management for development and test
          programs.  When a problems exists, I automatically make the
          attempt at analysis first, followed by a proposed rectifica-
          tion, and then test.  I determined that modern public school
          students are unprepared for the concepts and techniques of
          algebra.  Most could not even perform satisfactorily in
          elementary school arithmetic.  I proposed to tackle both
          problems simultaneously with a course specifically designed for
          our "substandard" students.

               Course content was pared to the essentials and sequenced
          in such a manner as to avoid overwhelming students at the start;
          then gradually -- in degrees -- "upgrade" their arithmetic skills
          while instructing the concepts and drilling the techniques of
          algebra.  Four years of test followed in a minority populated
          public school in suburban Phoenix, Arizona.  This proved -- or
          at least, demonstrated conclusively -- the efficacy of the
          proposed "solution."

               "Mathematics, Basic Skills," (MBS), grew out of a similar
          situation encountered during a brief sojourn in a small junior
          high school.  This school was a "low socio-economic unit" and
          rated 29th in basic arithmetic skills in a district containing
          twenty-nine schools.  My first year there, another school
          joined the district, after which we were rated 30th.  It was an
          insupportable situation.  

               Fortunately, there was a benefactor; Honeywell Corporation
          of Phoenix, Arizona.  Recognizing that we had a programmer
          aboard, they contributed equipment, communications, and central
          processor time on their new series 2,000 computer.
  
               A few abortive attempts were made at "interaction" programs,
          after which MBS was developed and through the use of Honeywell-
          provided Western Union teletypes and Ditto facsimile, a program
          of directed drill and practice was employed to upgrade our stu-
          dents.  Using the techniques of Operant Psychology, involving
          black stars and gold stars and eventually candy; there was
          produced a student body so adept at arithmetic and elementary
          mathematics, that they rose in that one year to the virtual top
          of the district.  Standardized tests produced no final "victor;"
          but our school rated "second" in one category and "fifth" in the
          one other.  I don't believe more than one or two other schools
          had overall ratings as high as ours.

               Over the years, both SOA and MBS have undergone many
          modifications as students and associates offered suggestions
          and improvements.  Programming progressed from Time Share Basic
          through Commodore Business Systems programming, to "Apple" and
          now, finally, to IBM PC & Compatibles.

               The "enclosed" software reflects these latest revisions.
          It is the final version of both SOA and MBS.  As you might guess,
          the documentation (accompanying the printed exercise programs)
          pertains exclusively to "Skill-Oriented Algebra."  It is
          called SOA.DOC and uses the Courier typeface exclusively,
          (10 characters per inch; 12 points).  It can be printed using
          the "PRINTER" file provided with SOA.  "PRINTER" is accessed
          through SOA's MENU.  No wordprocessor is required and virtually
          any printer may be used.  Note, however that this file will not
          print correctly from the MS-DOS "type" command,(as, for example,
          this "readme" file).  "Printer" must be used.
                             


                             **********************
                             SKILL-ORIENTED ALGEBRA
                             **********************

               Skill-Oriented Algebra is a course based upon 
          computer-prepared printed exercises and tests formatted for
          direct and immediate student use.  A catalog, curriculum guide
          and course outline are provided together with a series of 
          representative word problems and semester tests; all 
          contained in the documentation accompanying the "exercises"
          programs.
           
               SKILL-ORIENTED ALGEBRA (SOA) can be used in three ways: 
          as a complete algebra course; as an inexhaustible supply of 
          algebra exercises, each tailored specifically to type and 
          difficulty level; or as a "pre-algebra" for use in junior 
          high schools.
           
                    As a complete course, SOA comprises a significant 
          subset of the elementary algebra, more than is taught 
          currently in 90 percent of our public schools.
           
                    As an adjunct to the text-based course.  The 
          additional exercises cannot help but aid the algebra teacher 
          in providing a more effective learning experience.
           
                    As a junior high school "pre-algebra," in 
          preparation for a more highly conceptualized course to be 
          given in high school.
 
 
		
                                *************
                                SOA VERSION 3
                                *************

               Version 3 repairs some program bugs, but in particular,
          it offers full-sized printouts when HP compatible laser and
          ink jet printers are used.  All the documentation accompanying
          this algebra course is now contained herein.  SOAV3 places
          this algebra finally and irretrievably in the public domain.

               While entering dates on programmed exercises, the user is
          reminded that commas and semicolons are delimiters and should
          not be used.  The military annotation is suggested, to wit:

                     October 11, 1992 would be written as 11 Oct 92.
                     July 5, 1992 would be 5 Jul 92.
          
               The form is concise and needs no "delimiters."  If the
          standard form must be used together with its comma, the full
          date must be enclosed in quotes.
  





                            ********************
                            OPERATING PROCEDURES
                            ********************
           
               Copy SOAV3.EXE.  You are encouraged to reproduce and
          distribute this software as widely as possible. 
           

               "SOA" and "MBS" are both compressed files.  To properly
          install the programs, command "Install C: D:," for example,
          or more generally, "Install Origin Disk Drive, space, Desti-
          nation Disk Drive."  The two program groups will be placed
          in separate directories and expanded therein.  Note!  
               
                Install C: C: (or equivalent) may be used to install the
          software to the same disk drive.
           
               Command "SOA" within the algebra group and "BASICS" within
          the Basic Math group, to get to the respective MENUs.

               Notice that in all the following setups, SOA exercises 
          can be printed to the screen.  The display scrolls by very 
          quickly, but a touch of the space bar will stop the display. 
          Touching it again will recommence the display.  Regrettably,
          for modern, high speed personal computers, the display may
          be too fast for a user to "catch it" quickly enough for appro-
          priate review.  Ideally, "one screen at a time" should
          be provided.  But at this stage in SOA's development, such is
          simply not practical.  However, I did provide automatic
          "stops" at the end of the each exercise page, just before
          the answers are provided.  This should help.  Keep in mind,
          please, that this software provides printed exercises.  The
          screen "preview" was added as a convenience feature only. 
 
   
 
          SETUP ONE
          *********
           
               SOA is configured to print using EPSON 1500 printer 
          codes.  This is pretty much an industry standard today.  If 
          your printer responds to this standard, and if it is not a 
          laser or ink-jet printer (see below), the operating procedures
          are very brief:
           
                    Assuming you are "in" the SOA directory, command 
          SOA.  You will be put into the MENU immediately.  Use the
          cursor up/down keys to highlight your choice and hit RETURN
          (ENTER).  Proceed as indicated.  
 
 

          SETUP TWO
          *********
           
               Wherein the printer is not Epson 1500-compatible, or 
          the user has a laser or "ink-jet type" printer.  Command
          PSETUP, (that is, highlight the command and press Return).
          A listing is provided.   If the user's printer is contained
          therein, or if there is one listed that has comparable printer
          codes; then choose "e," and input the printer filename with or 
          without the ".PRN" appendage.   Those with laser or desk jet
          type printers, use "HPII-III.PRN," notwithstanding IBM or Epson
          compatibility.  The reasons relate to proper spacing in the
          printed exercises.  Since printer requirements are moderate,
          this will serve for PCL 5 and most non-HP desk jets too.  The
          user will then be returned to the MENU.  Printer configuration
          is now complete.  Proceed as above.
 


          SETUP THREE
          ***********
           
               Note SETUP TWO, above.  If your printer is not listed, 
          and if -- further -- there are none with comparable printer 
          codes; command "s," and hit Return, (Enter).  Then armed with 
          your printer manual (containing the printer codes), follow 
          directions as indicated exactly.  Use base 10 integers only, 
          (no hexadecimal).
           
               When inputs are complete, you will be asked the name 
          for this new printer file.  Use eight characters or less and 
          no appendage; this latter will be added automatically.  
          After which, you will be asked if you want this file 
          transferred to "USERP.PRN," the working file for SOA.  If 
          you answer "yes," this will be the printer file through 
          which SOA will output its exercises, tests and documentation.
          You will be returned to the MENU.  If you make a mistake,
          simply exit the program and the directory and start again.

           
              It should be noted that the directions for MBS,
          (Mathematics, Basic Skills), mirror SOA's exactly.  Except
          for the obvious changes, procedures are the same.
 


              Your comments and suggestions are always welcome.
          Please direct correspondence to --
                           
                               Alfred D'Attore
                          1300 South Farm View Drive
                               Apartment B-21
                            Dover, Delaware 19901

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