Here are four reviews of online technology resources for students in elementary school.
An App: Splash Math
- Splash Math is an app that can be downloaded both with Itunes and Android. It is geared towards 1-5th graders, with different apps depending on what class you are in. Splash Math teaches addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, time, place value, measurements, geometry and data and graphs. The app is “game based” meaning that the teaching tools are incorporated in games in order to make kids appreciate math instead of just seeing it as something boring. The scores can be reviewed by the teachers or parents, depending on who downloads it. This in order to be able to track the progress of the kids, realizing what areas that needs to be worked on and what areas the kids know.
- Since the app is game based, the student will have to have minimal skills in order to use this app. The kids will need a device, such as a smartphone or an Ipad to use it, and internet to download it. The kids will not have to have any pre knowledge of the mathematical concepts if they start at the “first grade” app and then advance to the harder problems for the higher grades. If the student starts at a higher level, the knowledge from the previous apps will be required.
- I believe this is a perfect app for elementary school students (up to 5th grade). For a sixth grader it will be too easy.
- I would recommend using this since it will help students to individually learn math. This is something I believe is very important, since the stress and competition from classmates sometimes can make children in this age insecure about their own skills if they are slower. I also believe it is good since each student could use the app and work on the areas they are troubled with. Every student in a class will never have the same problems, and a broad base is very important in math, since you will have a hard time continuing learning if you don’t have the base.
An App
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id793194055?mt=8
Let’s do Mental Maths 10-11
- This app is about mental math. It makes kids practice their brains to be able to work better in school and in the long run prepare for standardized testing. The app emerged from a book with the same name, but has developed into three sections. Brain teasers to get the brain going, practice tests and progress tests, where the student, or parent can keep track of the progress. The app has it’s primary focus on multiplication, division, addition and subtraction, but touches on measurements and shapes too.
- Students will have to be able to read, since many of the questions are reading based. They will also have to be able to use something looking like a calculator, the device it’s on, and access to the internet to download.
- This app is good for approximately 4th to 6th graders. It will be too hard for younger kids.
- I think mental math is something that is crucial and an important skill of your everyday life, calculating expenses, time and percentages is something most people do every day. I also believe that since standardized testing is an important part of the college application process, it is great to have an app that introduces the types of problems that children will be exposed to later on. Therefore, I believe this app is great to use. The downside is that it is pretty straight forward and not as imaginative as many of the other math apps that are out there.
A Social Platform / Website
Math blaster
- Math blaster is an online role play, where the students create a character that attends the “Blaster Academy”. The games are based on equations and algebra, and in order to continue on in the game you have to solve the different equations. The game is sci-fi inspired, so the characters live in a fantasy world. The players can also friend each other and chat with each others, so it is a bit like a social network. The equations that are to be solved gets harder and harder as the character moves up in the academy.
- This is an online game, so internet and a computer is required. The kids needs to know how to solve simple equations since it’s not a teaching game, but more of a practice game.
- Math Blaster is used for kids around 4th grade, which is appropriate for the elementary school age group.
- This is a fun game that I think can be useful in practicing algebra skills. Homework can at times seem daunting to kids, and they can be hesitant of actually practicing after they’ve learnt how to do something. That’s when Math Blaster comes to use, in this game the kids will want to advance and thereby actually practice the skills taught in school. Math Blaster may not be the most educational resource, but I definitely think the idea is good and fun, I would like to see improvement in the teaching section, where maybe kids could get help if they don’t get the problems.
A Website
- IXL (I Excel) is a website that provides students with multiple choice problems in math from pre K to algebra. You choose which grade you are in order to get problems that fits what you learn in school. When entering the website, you can navigate to different areas in math, depending on what you need to practice on. The website then has a database that randomly chooses questions related to the topic of your choice. After attempting four problems, you get explanations to the problems even if you answered the right answer. The website keeps track of your score out of 100 (each question is worth 25 points) and the time you’ve spent on the problem set. You can then redo the problems you didn’t get correct the first time.
- This website requires the student to be able to navigate on the computer. It also requires some reading skills and an internet connection. There are no math skills required if you choose the lowest level. If the student starts at a higher level (grade), s/he will need to know the concepts taught in the previous levels (grades).
- This website is perfect for students attending elementary and middle school.
- I would use this website since it can work as preparation for standardized testing as well as practice for in class exams. The one thing I don’t like about the website is that you can’t get an explanation of a concept before you attempt some problems. This order of learning works for some, but not for everyone.
"The one thing I don’t like about the website is that you can’t get an explanation of a concept before you attempt some problems".
ReplyDeleteI agree with you but don't you think that it's a good thing for kids to attempt some problems before looking at the explanation just to see if they are capable of doing the problem or not?
Good job 👍
I find math blaster an excellent way of reinforcing the work for students, as you mentioned this is not a teaching game but more of a practice game. however in order to play this game you need to understand the concept very well so you may use other resources to help you understand the concept before attempting the game.
ReplyDeleteemma,
ReplyDeleteyou posted about one of my favorite sites. mathblaster. i used this with students when i taught elem as a practice resource just as you said. splash math looks like so much fun i can hardly stand it! also, i love your explanation of its usefulness, especially how you were sensitive to the fact that students need practice to feel confident when their skills may not be as strong as their classmates.
wonderful job!
professor little
karolina,
ReplyDeleteyou posted about one of my favorite sites. mathblaster. i used this with students when i taught elem as a practice resource just as you said. splash math looks like so much fun i can hardly stand it! also, i love your explanation of its usefulness, especially how you were sensitive to the fact that students need practice to feel confident when their skills may not be as strong as their classmates.
wonderful job!
professor little
p.s. good thing you wrote me a reminder. i forgot to enter points for this blog for you! =/