Thursday, February 24, 2011

No Perfect App For Learning Multiplication Facts

I am still looking for the perfect app for students to learn multiplication facts. The app should:
  1. require the user to enter the product (rather than multiple choice)
  2. allow the user to set the tables he/she is working on
  3. provide feedback and require the user the enter the correct product before going to the next problem
  4. track correct and incorrect responses
  5. visually show the facts he/she needs to work on.
Yesterday I tried ArithmeTick by Pomegranate Software.  The app allows students to practice their facts before beginning a timed game and users can set the difficulty level from easy to einstein.  It does not allow users to enter a maximum number as a factor.  Third grade students quickly became frustrated with ArithmeTick when they were presented with double-digit problems and were expected to solve them in their heads.  Unfortunately the app does not have settings for specific facts or maximum numbers.

Brain Thaw by Groovy Squared LLC looks like a very good application for students to work on multiples which would transfer to learning their multiplication facts.  However, I found that after I complete the first level the numbers are blurry and cannot be read clearly enough to complete the next level.  I have contacted Groovy Squared to see if this is a problem with 4G iTouches and have not yet had a response.

After weeding through apps, I downloaded Flashcards To Go:  Multiplication by To Go Box Mobile Apps.  Users can set the maximum factors, it requires users to enter the product, and does not allow a user to progress until they have entered the correct answer.  The downside of the app is that it does not show progress and correct and incorrect responses.  Personally I was a bit bored with the app after just a few minutes of use.  I am presenting it to students today and am hoping they feel challenged.

No comments: