Extra Credit Blog: LETS GO KIDS MATHHHHHHH!!!!!

My series of sites I have geared towards younger children. My main audience is a mix of kids ranging from younger kids learning math to pre-algebra students, as the sites I have chosen all have different sections and in themselves vary between age groups. I chose this age group not because it is easiest but because technology is such a big part of our lives and will be even more 10 years from now when some of us will have kids, but since it is such a big part now it is important for families to know the tools at their disposal.

http://www.mathplayground.com/

Math Playground is a fun website with different math and logic games. From word problems to number games, the website is clearly geared to more advanced math students or kids who can pick up concepts quick. The website is full game based, so everything on there is in the form of a “mini-game”. Most of the site revolves around basic algebra, like multiplying, dividing, integers, fractions, etc. There are some more hard-hitting subjects such as geometry and probability available. The other cool feature to the site is the logic part, which is purely there for helping sharpening your mind.

In order to fully enjoy the site, kids need to be able to navigate it themselves. They also need to know their own limit so they do not accidently pick a mini-game they are not ready for. Also, more knowledge than basic math is needed.

Overall I would give this site about a B. While it is a well-done out site and has a wide choice of games to pick from, the site itself is rather cluttered and is full of ads. Also, no description other than a picture and a title describes the games, so it may be hard to fully understand and know what you may or may not be doing in a game until you start. That being said, it is a wonderful site for the aspiring math student who wants to find a mix of fun and math.

www.funbrain.com

Fun Brain at first glance is a children’s site. This site is marketed for much younger students. The site is easy to navigate and is well labeled, even having a section that breaks up games by grade. Each game has a description for you to read until the game plays. Some of them require a log in, which I think is to save progress for your account. What makes this site stand out is that it has many more games other than math games, like reading and puzzle games.

To get your full bang for your buck, you must be able to read and work a website. While it is easy to navigate and is a kids site, parents should be at hand to help them click on the game they wish to play. Chances are a smart kid can find his way around with ease but most kids will require help, as the amount of text can be overwhelming.

Overall, this site comes off to me as an A-. The idea is great, especially gearing it for multiple grades and subjects other than math. The site even has a comics section with a decent selection, something a nerd like me would have loved as a kid. Between the word games, number games, and everything in between, funbrain is a well equipped site that is ready to help children gain the edge in and out of the class room in multiple subjects in a fun and interactive way.

Coolmath4kids.com

I do not really know how to describe this site. Initially, it kind of hurts your eyes because of all the neon colors. Aside from the color attack, the site is well equipped for math needs. This site is most definitely geared for kids who are just starting multiplying and dividing. The site also has a fractions and decimals section. The game selection is quite impressive, with each section having a good amount of games. This is also a good site for younger kids as it does have an “ages 3-5” section which takes you to one of its partner sites. The bane of every kids existence, flash cards, is also attached to this website. I hated them as a kid but they did help a lot.

This site is a site for older kids to navigate on their own. Little kids can use it but will need parental guidance. Many ads appear on the site and you do not need your kid clicking on the random picture of Captain America. Also the layout may be confusing to kids who are still learning math. Basic pre-algebra skills seem to be the main focus of the site.

I give this site a solid A. The website is laid out beautifully, though the colors are a little too much neon. That being said, the site has an amazing game selection and also is part of a chain that focuses on math for kids of all ages. The fact this site has flash cards is also a huge plus as I believe, though how painful they may be, math flash cards make a world of difference and doing them young helps you start a good habit but also be sharper in your math skills.

http://pbskids.org/games/math/

Growing up I always loved watching my Saturday morning cartoons on PBS Kids. Its funny now because most of us college students do not wake up till past noon, but looking back is always fun. PBS Kid’s website, since it is an educational channel anyway, has a game section with, you guessed it, math games. While the games do not have any break down of which type and difficulty level they are, they are all based on their TV shows and children’s books such as the Cat in the Hat (my personal favorite).

While this site is mainly for younger kids, as in 2^nd grade and below, the site requires someone who can help navigate. The games themselves are quite basic and usually require only clicking or watching a cut scene. One of the most extensive games is one based on Curious George where the man in the yellow hat explains the game and you follow. Only basic math skills are required, and even then you are taught a lot as you go.

As much as I like this site, it only gets a B+. The games are fun for kids who love their tv shows and characters, but many of them are too simple to be effective. The site is also not laid out that well and some of the games on the site are not even math games, which defeats the purpose of being on a MATH site. The games they do have which fit the criteria however are beautifully made and will keep any little kids attention while he is learning. The big help for this site is the fact the games revolve around characters they all love, since kids will enjoy games with them instead of math games with random animals and such.

Technology Anthology- Emily Giarratana

The Math Blaster Hyperblast app is intended to be used by elementary-aged children. It incorporates learning math into a fun race game similar to video games like Mario Kart. The game allows kids to choose their own lesson, based on what they want to learn or need the most help with. Lessons include addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions and standard form. In order to play this game well, a child would need to have some prior knowledge on the lesson he is completing because it is a race against the clock for the player to get the most math facts they can. It is also important for the child to be able to read because the directions are a little complicated at first as they have to shoot away obstacles and collect power ups to advance to each set of math facts and complete the levels. This resource is definitely appropriate for elementary-aged children as it would supplement the math concepts that they are learning in school and challenge them while still being a fun space-themed game. 

The Sums Stacker app offers a great way for elementary-aged students to sharpen their addition skills in a much more engaging way than flashcards. It is a math puzzle that give players different representations of numbers such as dice, fingers, tally marks, coins, Spanish words and asks them to stack them according to the desired sum at the bottom of each stack. The different representations of numbers allow the game to be made harder or easier depending on the skill level of the player. It is important that each player can recognized numbers and their values as well as perform basic addition problems. More advanced players might be asked to read (in English or Spanish) and recognize Roman numerals, Arabic numbers, or Braille. I would absolutely recommend this app to families because it promotes problem solving and critical thinking, while exercising kids' understanding of basic math facts. I also think that this game should be extended to include subtraction, multiplication, and division to serve more kids' needs.

The Marble Math app is based on the Common Core Curriculum so it is very relevant and helpful for elementary school students. It focuses on mental math, so it is geared towards students at the upper-elementary level (grades 4-6). However, there are three separate difficulty levels, so students can work their way up to the top while still having fun and solving puzzles. One of the best parts about this app is that parents and teachers are able to customize game play for each individual student based on the areas where they need the most help. There is also a wide variety of math facts in each section which keeps the game challenging and keeps kids focused. Players can also replay questions or reveal the correct answer if they were incorrect at first. The concepts tested in this game include addition/subtraction, multiplication/division, fractions with varying denominators, Roman numerals, factoring, decimals, negative integers, counting money, and simplifying equations. It would be helpful for players to have a background in these areas in order for them to feel comfortable playing Marble Math.

Mathmateer is an app that has kids answer math questions in order to earn money to build a rocket ship and complete objectives in space. The math missions that they will encounter include numbers, telling time, U.S. money, 3D shapes, and arithmetic. These math missions are different every time and can range from even and odd numbers to square roots, making this game a great learning tool for all elementary school students. This game also has three levels that will accommodate students of all skill sets. I would definitely recommend this app because of the variety in lessons and the importance it places on managing money and sharpening skills to improve the high score.

Kate Cornman-Blog Entry 3.5- High School Students Math Websites

Mathblaster.com is a math learning website availaible for students in kindergarden to 12th grade. It’s purpose is to allow children the interaction of games as well as building mathematic skills.This free site allows you to “give your kids some much needed math practice, assess the skills they have already acquired, identify their weak areas and help them grasp new strategies.” “Mathblaster” also gives students and teachers cool tricks on how to master the times tables for example. They also have fun and easy acronyms for concepts such as the metric system, which is very vital for not only growth in math but for subjects in science. The biggest attraction on this site is the game “hyperblast” which allows children and young adults of any age to test their skills while saving the universe. A website like this helps students reach mathematical goals while playing games. For many young students, memorization and repetition can be very boring but with the help of games and prices, learning can come easier.

Skills Students need:

• The ability to use a computer/ mouse.
• Parental supervision
• The ability to read and basic counting skills
• The ability to concentrate and reach fullest potential.

I recommend this website for younger children but or high school students it will become obsolete. I think if a high school student was really behind or wanted to really hone on their skills and make sure they understand fundamental concepts, then yes it would be helpful. However, in terms of more sophisticated skill sets, this is not the website for more advanced learners.
http://www.mathblaster.com/

Wolfram Alpha

This website is created to help math students with definitions as well as provide practice problems with explained answers. There is a free trial period for the math problem resources but eventually one will have to pay for their services. Primarily, Wolfram Alpha provides math definitions. However, the math problems provided are very interactive and very helpful for individuals who need immediate help. The website provides problems for arithmetic, number theory, algebra, calculus, linear algebra, and statistics.

Skills Students need:

• A prior knowledge of the concepts that are being searched. The website does not teach you a concept but assists you if you need definition or practice.
• For example, if you search derivative of lnx, They provide you with "d/dx(log(x)) = 1/x"... If you wanted to know a step by step explanation, you will need to upgrade.

For high school students I think that this resource is very useful for when one needs a refresher of a definition. However, this site, as a free source, is not as valuable as a site who teaches and then quizzes the students.

I heard about this website from a few friends who have taken collegiate level math courses. They claimed that it was a great resource for definitions and clarification because of the great amount of topics the classes require them to study.

I would recommend this website to an individual who is struggling in math concepts. A step by step interaction is very valuable especially around exam time.

http://www.wolframalpha.com/

Regents prep.com

This website is sponsored by the State University of New York to help high school students study for their statewide tests including algebra, geometry, and algebra 2/ Trig. The site includes review and notes on subtopics and then review questions with automatic feedback. Another important aspect which can help high schoolers is a plethora of previous state tests in each subject which are legally posted  after each test is released. Often during high school, I used this website to sharpen my math skills while practicing for my state tests.

Skills Students need:

• Math skills up to the 8th grade level in New York State standards
• Be able to use the mouse to navigate through the website
• Be able to choose carefully between multiple choice questions.

High School Students can benefit from this site because of the resources available to practice necessary skills as well as learn tips on how to better one’s test taking skills. However, this site benefits New York students more than other students since it is so directly oriented with acing the state exam.

I would not recommend this site for students who are interested in actually relearning the concepts, the reviews are more of a refresher and are not that in depth. However, the questions are very valuable.

http://regentsprep.org/

Khan Academy

Khan Academy is a website that provides FREE high class education for students, teachers, and anyone willing to learn. There are many videos along with a "Coach" section where you can monitor your progress. You can find videos in multiple topics not just math but in math there are videos for beginners such as 2nd graders to more advanced students studying Differential equations as well as multivariable calculus.

Skills Students need:

• Since this service is for all ages, basic compute skills are needed such as the ability to use a mouse and actively read a screen
• For more advanced students, there is an expectation of prior skills but even if someone needs help to brush up on their old skills, they can use their resources.

Khan Academy is by far my favorite math website. I am actually very happy I discovered it because they have tutorials in economics as well as in applied math. For high schoolers, I think this is a great resource that they could even carry over to college. 
I would recommend this source for students who do not even need extra help, repetition of concepts is key for any subject and this is a great resource.

http://regentsprep.org/

AGE: MIDDLE SCHOOL

SITE: www.mathplayground.com

The purpose of this resource is for children of all ages to play games and learn math concepts in a fun way. 

The users of this site are required to have a general concept of the ideas used to make the games. The site is organized into grade/math levels, hoping that children in 6^th grade will have a 6^th grade math understanding, etc.

This resource would be helpful for children in middle school to learn the concepts they are learning in a fun way, as well as give them the opportunity to review older information in a risk free/fun way.

I would 100% recommend this resource for middle school ages children. It gives them the perfect way to keep up on their math skills without the fear and/or embarrassment of potentially forgetting math knowledge or concepts from previous and current academic classes.

 

SITE: www.khanacademy.com

Khan Academy is an educational websites that includes videos and problem help for students. It is personalized to each student and assists them in learning concepts that they otherwise do not understand in class.

Students are required to know what they are looking for out of the website. They need to have specific concepts and skills that they are unclear on, and the willingness to learn them in a serious way.

This is a tough age, in terms of maturity, to allow students to use this resource. It is hard for them to identify what they do not know and have the determination to learn it.

I would not recommend this resource to middle school kids. I feel like they would lean on it too much, and not look to their teachers for assistance when the teachers should be their #1 resource in this time of Middle School

 

SITE: www.wolfram.com/mathematica

The purpose of this site is to compute answers to upper-level math issues (calculus, hedge-fund management, etc.)

Students are required to have a deep understanding and passion for math, and simply need the calculations to further their research and/or assignment.

This resource is definitely not age appropriate for middle school students, as the math that they are dealing with is nowhere near this level of math.

I would recommend this for middle schoolers only who are at calculus level (at least) classes

 

SITE: www.webmath.com

This site is used to solve specific math problems (at any level).

Students are required to have specific math skills, and questions that they need help on. It doesn’t help students learn the concepts at all, it just gives them the final result.

This site is appropriate for middle school students, because sometimes they get stuck on specific problems, even if they know the general ideas of the lesson. It is quick, and simple, and age appropriate.

I would recommend this resource with no changes. They shouldn’t use this to do all of their homework, but there are situations where this is a quick fix.

 

Emma Wall: Extra Credit Blog

Math Blaster Computer Game

Math Blaster is a computer game based in outer space that aims to teach young elementary level students a range of math basics such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Its goal is to build the child’s confidence, speed and accuracy in basic math concepts. The game is futuristic and fast paced that provides the students with goals to achieve math success by have a final destination within the game. Math Blaster is primarily used for younger student, however, there are different levels of Math Blaster that extend all the way up to Pre Algebra. The students are meant to refine math skills through a combination of lessons and arcade-style game play.

Skills Students Need:

·      Be able to type on a keyboard

·      Be able to use the mouse to click on desired buttons

·      Read and interpret printed text

·      Read and interpret mathematical symbols

Math Blaster encourages fun learning of mathematics by setting the game in a certain place and theming the mathematical games around that theme. This is a great way to get students excited about math while the concepts are hard; it is more like a fun game than a chore. The game provides a bridge between students and teachers and not only gives lessons on material but also practice to sharpen student’s skills. Developmentally, the age for this toy will be elementary or secondary setting when students are beginning to get acquainted with higher-level math concepts.  The game can be used without adult supervision if the children have the ability to work the computer on their own. Because the application is a CD disc, the risk of the child rummaging through the Internet is decreased therefore it is developmentally appropriate.

I would recommend this game to students who understand the math concepts but want to sharpen their skills and work at faster paces. I wouldn’t use it as a tool to learn math, as much as practice math therefore I would not use it in a classroom setting per se. 

Adaptedmind.com

Adaptedmind.com is a site that requires a membership, which has resources to both learn and practice math skills for kids up till 8^th grade. The mathematical topics range from counting and addition to algebra, equations and geometry. The site is complete with videos explaining and demonstrating math products that they have compiled from across the Internet. The site also has worksheets on subjects to practice and learn the math concepts included on the site. The worksheets are complete with a “check button” that explains a wrong answer as well. This site is equipped for students and many different level ranging from the early childhood setting, to the elementary setting, and even the secondary setting.

Skills students need are to:

·      Be able to use the internet to get to the site

·      Know their login information to access the curriculum

·      Reading and interpreting printed text and mathematical symbols

·      Use the keyboard to type in answers

·      Use the mouse

Developmentally, the site is accessible except for the younger students who will need assistance logging into and finding the website. Some young students, such as the kindergarteners, might need to do the site with adult supervision, which is unfortunate.

This site is more used to practice skills and brush up on certain topics than to fully learn concepts. It is more about clearing up unclear aspects of a topic than fully teaching the subject. I would recommend this to students who are looking to practice or who generally understand a topic but just need to clearing up or practice. 

Mathly Hollows Application for IPod/IPad/IPhone

Mathly Hollows is an application meant for Apple devices that with help elementary level student with math subjects that are based on the Common Core State Standards. The game is labeled as a game suitable for users 4 and up that utilizes interactive memorization techniques and is meant to improve fast mental math skills in a motivating way. The application allows you to choose the kind of math operation to work on, including addition, subtraction, division, and multiplication or mixed. The goal is to win the game and collect cute monsters and powerful helper friends and eventually be ranked by the Apprentice to Master Wizard. The game also includes a parent page complete with progress reports.

Skills students need are to:

·      Own an apple product to download the application

·      Be able to use the apple product in terms of using the touch screen to press the right answers

·      Read and interpret printed text

·      Read and interpret mathematical symbols

Developmentally the game is appropriate for the age group its aimed at because this age is usually the time students start picking up video games and understand complex goals so they would be motivated o play the game and continue to improve their math skills.

The game is purely used to sharpen a student’s skills and have an incentive to do so rather than teaching the student how to do the problems. The game could be used in a classroom setting as a group effort or on a student’s free time to become better at doing math. I would recommend using this application to track a student’s progress with basic math skills.

 

 

www.brightstorm.com/math/

Brightstorm.com is a website that includes many different subjects such as math, science, English and test prep help. You must have a membership to use the resources on the site but the math section of the site is equipped with over 2,000 videos that review concept, sample problems and shortcuts. Some of the topics covered are algebra, algebra 2, geometry, trigonometry, pre calculus, and calculus, therefore, the mathematical setting of the website would be a secondary setting for students in high school or even students in college. Once you choose a broad topic to cover (such as calculus) there are specific units of calculus with various videos that address the intricacies of the topic. For calculus, you have the derivative, the applications of the derivative, limits and continuity and so on.

Skills students need are to:

·      Be able to use the computer and watch videos on your computer

·      Read and interpret printed text

·      Have access to a computer

·      Read and interpret the relevant mathematical symbols

This resource is developmentally appropriate for its target audience because students at this level have experience with computers, and should have a basic understanding of what they need help with and to better understand. I think the interface is especially user friendly and the material is extensive. I wouldn’t change anything except for the fact that it costs money, which would limit the accessibility for some students.

I would recommend use of this site to anyone who is having trouble with a specific area of math and they need help better understanding it as well as clearing up something as well as aiding in general understanding of a topic.