Admit it. You’ve done your fair share of groaning over algebra, you’ve flubbed a few fractions and whined at length about the uselessness of calculus. What if your children could escape the same fate? And what if they actually learned to (make sure they don’t see this article) love math? It sounds like a practical joke, but it’s already being done … right here in
Shanghai with a program called Mathletics.Mathletics is an online program that combines math with the stuff kids already like – computer games, avatars and a little healthy competition. More than 2000 schools worldwide use the service and the website boasts more than five billion correct answers by “mathletes.” Here’s how it works. Schools pay a yearly subscription which allows teachers, parents and students access to the site. Teachers choose exercises that match their curriculum and assign homework to their students. They can even personalize activities to fit each child’s particular need, emphasizing weaker points and blocking problems that are too easy. Assigned activities and math-related games both reinforce concepts and prepare students for the next lesson which accelerates the classroom learning process. Each student receives an account and can access the day’s homework when they sign in. Once homework is done, students can play any number of games with their own Wii-like personal avatar. They enter into live games with fellow mathletes across the globe and are challenged to answer questions quickly at their current level. “As much as we want students to love math – if they go in and there is a lot of number crunching it might not draw them in,” says Nigel Pritchard, a teacher at WISS who has been using the program. “When they are playing the games, they get gold bars and awards – some of the things they see on their [computer] games.” At Yew Cheng International School (YCIS), teachers have seen a definite improvement in test scores and confidence in the two years since they began implementing Mathletics. “The children have gotten more accurate because if you get three wrong [on games], then you’re out,” says curriculum coordinator Heather Lockett. “They’ve also gotten quicker and better at mental mathematics. We’ve got some children who can get over 80 mental mathematics questions done in one minute.” For parents concerned with this new way of learning, Mrs. Lockett stresses that it is not the only way to learn math. Students at YCIS do receive some paper homework, especially as they prepare to enter high school. There is no denying the success of Mathletics. Both Pritchard and Lockett say their students have begun to approach math with increasing enthusiasm, often choosing to do Mathletics exercises and games in their free time. Apparently, math is fun.
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