HAMILTON, Miss. (WTVA) — Mississippi’s reading and math scores are on the rise according to the 2015 National Report Card, but there’s always room for improvement. The Mississippi legislature is funding a new web based learning resource known as Algebra Nation.

For some, x plus y seems more like a foreign language. However, educators in Monroe County are using a new program that makes math more understandable. Linda Isbell said, “I teach them a concept. show them Algebra Nation. Show them a video. Pause it. Ask if there are any questions and make sure they are understanding it and they get to check their answers too.”

Each student learns at his or her own pace and it’s made all the difference to freshman Lauren Walters. She said, “I’m able to go back over it if we went too fast in class and I don’t remember what we went over.”

If a student is working on their homework at home and needs a help with a math problem, they simply take a picture of the problem and upload it to the math wall. Taya Baggett says Algebra Nation is similar to a math based Facebook. Those questions are answered by fellow students and even Algebra nation tutors. Baggett said, “They’re called the study experts. or admins if we are going to use facebook terms. They’ll post a question to challenge students. And if you get it right in a certain amount of time, then you get extra points.”

In fact, Taya answered a lot of questions for fellow students and earned an iPad for the most points in September.

Educators say Algebra Nation is a “plus” for all their students. Brian Jernigan is the Assistant Superintendent for Monroe County. Jernigan said, “We started out with just Algebra I, but have opened it up to Foundations of Algebra, Algebra II, Geometry and any student who has not passed the state Algebra 1 test, we’re allowing them to use it as well.”

Monroe County is one of 30 school districts in the state participating in Algebra Nation.

Algebra Nation recognized Linda Isbell as the featured teacher for the month of September. Isbell was chosen based on how the program is implemented in the classroom and students usage during the
month.

Congratulations are also in store for Lauren Walters, who placed in the top 5 and Taya Baggett, who placed first.