Old School Math

Math has evolved from when I learned my math facts. Now students learn multiple ways to find answers to every type of arithmetic. While this has positive effects including encouraging discovery and deeper thinking, students can’t produce answers quickly and rely on calculators for simple problems. “My Math App” helps students learn their math facts for quick responses. Strength in addition, subtraction, multiplication and division can lead to growth in more complex topics like algebra and calculus. Discovery learning helps children grow as students, but the memorization of basic calculations is useful in higher math topics and the workplace. “My Math App” works on developing this speed and memorization.

“My Math App” has several positive characteristics, but also a few drawbacks. First, the app provides facts for all four skills in one place and students can choose which skill they would like to practice. Additionally, the graphics are colorful and engaging, and the text is large and clear, making the screen easy to read and look at for periods of time. Third, the activities are flexible to the student. Students can turn on and off the timer, choose specific digits to focus on, and change the number of questions. These abilities allow students to customize their learning to meet their needs. These strengths make “My Math App” a useful tool to become fluent in the basic math facts useful in more challenging topics.

However, the “My Math App” has ads. The ads pop up after leaving an activity before completing the session. If you always finish the set then the ads never become an issue, but they could be tedious if you consistently leave sessions early. Lastly, the lessons are limited. The skills don’t mix. Students must choose addition, subtraction, multiplication or division and cannot mix topics. Allowing for mixing topics would improve the app because students would have to adapt on the fly and be extremely fluent in their math facts.

This app would be a supplementary tool in math classrooms. The Common Core curriculum teaches students specific techniques for the basic math operations, but most of these techniques take time. Instead of other options including drawing a picture, the app gives students practice with memorizing the facts. Students still need to learn the longer ways required by Common Core, but the memorization of basic facts will be useful in the future. “My Math App” provides students with practice for these memorization skills. Whether teachers provide this time during math lessons or as an optional activity during free time is up to them. The app can be used at different times and in different settings because it is simple to use, doesn’t require teacher oversight, and is portable.

Many users have given “My Math App” positive reviews. The app has helped students improve their knowledge of simple math facts and speed in responding. Students have found it as an effective learning tool in producing fluency in basic operations. The app isn’t a substitute for the learning and lessons that occur in classrooms, but assists in the learning process. It is great for students in 3rd and 4th grades that are mastering the operations and moving into more difficult math topics.

References:

My Math Flash Cards App [image]. Retrieved from https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/my-math-flash-cards-app/id412496588?mt=8

Mitch Cogert (2012). Best iPad Apps for Kids: My Math Flash Cards App [video]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dbh4pNJmK8

Math in the Wild!

Children love animals and nature, but, generally, aren't fans of fractions and multiplication. Splash Math is an app that combines the two. The organization has apps for each grade level, but I focused on the app for third graders because I hope to work with kids of this age in the future. The app provides children with age appropriate math games to help them develop their skills. The games are broken up into lessons focusing on specific topics covered in third grade math. Learning should be enjoyable and interactive. Children in today's society have greater exposure to technology, expanding the role of technology in the classroom. Splash Math combines learning and technology in a kid-friendly and interactive manner.

Splash Math for third graders has several aspects and features that make it user friendly and appropriate for children.  First, the games and lessons are broken up between different topics covered in the Common Core. For example, there are specific games for multiplication and division. The student can choose which topics to study depending on their mood and progress. Second, the students can grow at their own pace. They can choose the games and topics along with the theme. Splash Math has two options, jungle and ocean. Third, the bottom tab on the left gives students scratch paper space. Often students like to show their work and write down the calculations they make. The bottom tab provides students with these opportunities. Fourth, Splash Math connects with parents and teachers. In order to use Splash Math, a parent or teacher of the student provides his/her information. The app uses the information to send parents or teachers progress reports on their children and give them access to their child's activities. Sadly, the same program for other grade levels isn't free and is only compatible with Apple products. However, third graders, and their parents and teachers could use this app to enhance their learning experience and rate.

Reviews of Splash Math are stellar! Both teachers and parents have given positive feedback for Splash Math. Teachers have implemented the app into their classroom as a teaching tool to supplement lessons. The app has been said to make learning fun, personalize the education experience, and improve standardized test scores. Parents rave about the app, also. They love how the app reinforces lessons from school, make math enjoyable and can be used anywhere, extending the classroom beyond the classroom. Splash Math can be an app provided by parents or teachers, which will improve student performance in math in a fun and interactive manner.


Resources:

Splash Math [image]. Retrieved from http://www.prweb.com/releases/2014/06/prweb11930653.htm

[Untitled image of Splash Math]. Retrieved from https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/third-grade-splash-math-games./id449564960?mt=8