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.
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.
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.
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.
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 2nd 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.
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 2nd 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.
I liked reading about fun brain. I too like how it isn't just about math. The site pays attention to kids likings by having games and other activities.
ReplyDeletezack,
ReplyDeletereally great job on this blog post! i love your introduction. you are so right that technology is huge in our day and age. in 10 years children under the age of three will probably have so many technogical skills than we ever had at that age.
i also like your synopsis about pbskids.org and that you noted that sometimes excessive simplicity can be do more harm than good.
overall a wonderful job!
professor little