Blog #3.5 Technology Anthology (Hashim Altayyar)

MathPlayGround

http://www.mathplayground.com/about.html 

 Math play ground is a well known knowledge site it is abundant with math games, procedural videos, math practice, logic puzzles, math word problems, math facts, real world math and a host of other problem solving exercises. Most of these games or activities are interactive; however, there are also other fun activities for children to do while learning. The aim of these is to break monotony that is apparent from continuous playing of math games.

Math playground is rich in content and output providing a good platform for the kids to explore and learn thereby sharpening their mathematical skills.

Math playground ensures that the kids are protected from internet malpractices by providing a secure and a controlled online learning environment. To achieve the distinction in kid’s privacy safety math playground was subjected to a rigorous verification process for its whole website COPPA. COPPA is the regulator of children`s website. Math Playground incorporates art by using creative pictures that attract the kids to play math games on the site. The site is a favorite for people across the board who are interested in learning or furthering their mathematical skills.

Skills necessary

·      Basic computer skills are necessary for navigation around the site.

·      Have mouse skills so as to be able to move numbers and objects around a site.

·      English language skills are necessary for comprehension of game rules and game names.

·      It is also required a player should e able to interpret symbols used in a majority of mathematical games.

In most cases, adult guidance on this site is not necessary unless to guide kids to games that are at their skills level. The above analysis indicates the site Math Playground as appropriate for kid’s advancement in mathematical skills.

MathGameTime

http://www.mathgametime.com/math-games

Math game time is a destination for the many good math games online. The games on this site are educational, fun and trustworthy. The site is a creation of educators with an aim to help school kids improve performance in mathematics. This objective is delivered through a fun filled and educative platform or online playground. The site is appropriate for kids in the pre-K level through to the 7th grades.

The site has gathered educative and engaging math games from all over the internet providing them to kids for free on this site. The input on this site is definitely driven towards helping the children hone their mathematical knowledge for academic excellence. The site constantly collaborates with teachers other mathematicians to ensure the content on this site is age appropriate. The site acknowledges that the popularity of math games in both schools and homes is on the rise hence the need for creativity and authenticity in content creation so as to remain relevant.

The site boasts of promoting creativity, education, and mathematical literacy in a fun way for kids. There are many games available on this site. Some of the games include; count the sheep, Floats, jumping chicks, and more or less. These games are appropriate for pre-kindergarten kids. Additionally there are games for other age levels such as; 12many, building blocks, Jetski, kitten match and koala carts which are appropriate for kids in kindergarten. There are also games for the first graders up which include, factor feeder, minus mission, brainy numbers and basic addition game. I found the games brainy numbers, basic addition games and minus mission as appropriate for young learners in the 1^st grade to 3^rd grade because it gives learners a profound mathematical background. Parental guidance may be necessary for the learners especially the pre-k learners. Additionally, I would recommend teachers to use this in classrooms because it keeps the learners interested thereby creating good ground for mathematical excellence at a tender age.  

Skills necessary

·      Learners using this site need to have mouse skills to be able to select the game to play.

·      Good language command is necessary to choose from the many games available on the site.

·      Since the games are ranked according to grades, knowledge preceding level is necessary.

PrimaryGames

http://www.primarygames.com/aboutus.htm

PrimaryGames is among the fastest advancing gaming entity online. The site has been educating children and adults in an entertaining way.  The site was established in 2000 and has been active to date. The founder Susan Beasley built the online gaming site with an aim of keeping the learners entertained in the classroom. The idea was to help the children learn in an easier way while at the same time remaining attentive to mathematical concepts. The site enhances the growth of mathematical knowledge by use of games such as Number twins, math car, evy and ody, mathcopter, algebra foods, math transport basic, algebra coins and baby budget. The site integrates mathematics with arts in a creative way that keeps the learners interested.

The site is appropriate for learners from preschool through to grade 6. I found the games mathcopter and twin ball appropriate for use in the preschool levels because it helps the teacher to attain and maintain learner’s attention. Algebra foods and algebra coins are appropriate for use in grades five to six as it will help build a good basis for the advancement of algebraic techniques. Parental guidance may be worthwhile for kids in the age bracket of preschool. The best thing about this site is that the games are free and also has a variety of many games for players to choose.

Skills necessary

·      Mouse skills are necessary for selection of games

·      Internet navigation skills are necessary to change from one game to another incase of completion.

·      Language comprehension will help the player understand the details of the game.

Element Math Game

 

http://education.jlab.org/indexpages/elementgames.html  

The Jefferson lab is a research facility with success across the divide. It partners with national, international, regional and local educational partners to deliver platforms that support exchange of input and output in the area of science and technology. The main objective of the organization is to come up with ways in which output in the area of mathematics is increased to strengthen proper preparation and motivation for all students. One of the platforms upon which the deliverables are made available is it`s Elemental-Element Math Game. 

This game is quite different from other math games because it involves calculating protons of an element. Though this approach utilizes chemistry the calculation part is mathematical. This game is appropriate for people in high school because chemistry is quite advanced for learners in the lower levels. All the same, the common math games on this site include; speedmath deluxe, mystery math, the Nim number, place value game, place value game and many more. These games help learners in to sharpen their mathematical skills, as well as, learn mathematic easily.

Skills necessary

·      Advanced navigation skills are necessary for the site.

·      Learners must have basic mathematical skills to operate many of the games on this site.

·      Basic language skills are needed to understand the rules of the games.

Works Cited

JeffersonLab; (n.d). Element Math Game. Welcome to It`s Elemental - Element Math Game! Retrieved from http://education.jlab.org/elementmath/. On 26^th March 2014.

MathGameTime, (n.d). Math Games Organized by Grade. Retrieved from, http://www.mathgametime.com/math-games. On 26th March 2014.

 Math Playground, (n.d). Play With Math and Give Your Mind a Workout. Retrieved from, http://www.mathplayground.com/about.html. On 26th March 2014.

 PrimaryGames, (n.d). The Fun Place to Learn. Retrieved from, http://www.primarygames.com/aboutus.htm. On 20th March 2014