HOUSTON -- Fifth-graders at Burnet Elementary are learning math with the help of technology, KPRC Local 2 reported.

Reasoning Mind, a non-profit company, has created an online program that provides math and science courses for students grades Kindergarten through 12. It is used in classrooms as a supplement to the curriculum.

"It's fun because it shows you fun education like addition, subtraction and the rest of the stuff," student Edgar Medrano said.

So how does it work? Students log in to the program online and tackle problems at their own pace. Unlike the traditional multiple-choice format, they are challenged to generate answers.

"When you get it wrong, it gives you a solution. If you get it wrong again, you talk about it in the computer with a 'genie' or you can get a tutor," student Ashley Gamez said.

The automated tutor is called a "genie." The animated robot controls and monitors the learning process.

"It's a good hybrid between computer instruction and human interaction," fifth-grade teacher Amber Feight said.

Teachers are not totally out of the picture. Their role is to answer questions and facilitate the program. . "It is ideal for a teacher. Every teacher wishes they could pull that student out and really identify an individual student's problems," Feight said.

Students who zoom ahead of the class on the program can serve as genie helpers to their peers. Reasoning Mind has been a huge success with students.

"It's kinda cool because you're not just bored sitting in a classroom. It's a fun way to learn," Medrano said.

The best part of all is students earn points for every correct answer and can later exchange them for prizes.