They help teachers by preparing the labs according to what a teacher wishes to cover that day, they lead the more inexperienced teachers through the process, and they keep others motivated to reap the most out of Riverdeep's technology. Teachers report that they find the use of technology well-suited to an urban school such as Lowell because of special problems such as absenteeism. Students can obtain access to the school's computers before classes begin, after school ends, and even on Saturdays, to catch up on assignments. The multiple languages found in Lowell High's diverse student body are not a deterrent to using the technology. For example, Riverdeep's Tangible Math series is used in bilingual classes in which English is a second language.
Teachers find that students can grasp the concepts because of the simulations.
The technology is also helpful for classes containing students at various levels, from students who are not on a college track to those at honors levels, says Murphy. When they complete the regular assignments, more advanced students can simply move on to other computer-generated activities. This allows everyone to work at their own pace. Some teachers have begun assigning homework so that students can use the simulations at home. Lowell High School's Math Department Head Richard J. Coffey said the school was interested in Riverdeep because both the math and science programs share a common platform, meaning that students didn't have to learn two sets of directions to operate the activities.