>Mini Guide Math Software

Mini Guide – Math Software

The Learning Context

During the early stages of learning math, an aspect of the early learning experience is memorizing a lot of detailed information (numbers and sequence, the "times" tables, etc.) As the child is undertaking this rote learning, he or she also starts to learn the basic principles of numeric relationships and math functions.

Developing basic competency in math relies in part upon the child’s ability to memorize and develop fast recall of information. As they develop their basic skills and understanding of the principles in math - the other part, they then engage in applying their knowledge to solving math based problems. In the classroom, this is often done through what are commonly called "word problems". ( "If John had three apples and…") The skills involved in solving "word problems" are being able to first identify what is the right mathematical approach required to answer the question, being able identify the right inputs or numbers to work with, and then being able to do the calculations correctly to produce an answer.

So what is involved in becoming good at math

1. Being able to remember and quickly recall lots of specific pieces of information.

2. Developing an understanding of mathematical concepts or principles and knowing how to apply them (when and where).

3. Being able to identify the right mathematical approach required to answer specific questions and do the calculations correctly.

Developing their application skills tends to emerge through their capability in the first two areas.

If you can get a younger child engaged and enjoying math focused educational software, you can accelerate the development of their skills, through the added exposure and practice. With the performance tracking reports built into good math software, you can also see, very specifically, what level they are able to perform to, by specific skill area.

Choosing Math Software.

Early Math Software

If you are starting at the very beginning, one program we think is excellent is Ready for Math with Pooh (ages 3-6). This program, with the guidance of a parent, is a good way to introduce the basics of numbers and the basic math functions to a young child. The program has lots of play activities between the math based activities to hold the attention and interest of a young child and the cast of characters in Pooh are a very engaging crew for children in this age range.

Another program that is of equal quality and goes a little higher in age range and slightly more advanced exercises, is Reader Rabbit’s Math Ages 6 –9. Reader Rabbit Math has an adventure story build around the activities that takes place on Pirate Island where Reader Rabbit and friends have been ship wrecked. Again many of the basic math concepts are introduced and there is lots of practice value in the activities.

If you have a child who likes a real competitive challenge, Star Wars Math is an extremely well designed program that covers most of the required developing math skills for the 6 - 9 age range very well. The program has unsurpassed graphic quality and is easy to figure out how to operate for children in this age range.

Advanced Math Software

Broderbund’s Math Workshop Deluxe (ages 6 –12) is a very accessible program that has an abundance of different math skill exercises. With the different levels of challenge possible in each activity, this program can provide challenge for children across this age range. For the younger ones, they get lots of practice in response accuracy ("getting the right answers") and the older kids will be building their speed and accuracy with more challenging levels of math drills and thinking exercises, in the core math areas they already have some proficiency in..

Carmen Sandiego Math Detective (ages 8 –14) is an excellent math program, especially if you are competing with the alternative of Nintendo type games in your household. This program is a full fledged spy mission adventure that provides the a great level of challenge and need for determination in order to succeed. At each stage in the mission, there are lots of challenging math exercises that will test your mental calculation skills. This program also provides some excellent coaching on how to do many of the math skills required in the program.

Neufeld’s Understanding Math (ages 10-15) is a series ( 9 in total) of math programs that can be purchased individually or as a set, that cover all the basic areas of core math curriculum from grades 5 through 10. These programs are straight up teaching and exercise programs, with no guise as a game, that will both teach the basic concepts and the provide lots of exercises, to ensure that the user can do the specific skill being taught. This program is incredibly thorough, with hundreds of learning modules. It can be (and is) used in the classroom or at home with the student who is really motivated to learn and doesn’t need the inducement of a game to learn. This also would be an excellent choice, where there is a serious home schooling effort occurring.