MathLab for Grade1

[appimg 961885585]

App Info

Price: [app 961885585] {price}
AppStore User Rating: {stars}[/app]

Overview

MathLab for Grade 1 offers a comprehensive system that will allow young children to practice vital math skills at their own learning pace. The software offers two learning modes: a sequential mode that varies skills but gradually increases in difficulty and a “laboratory” mode that allows users to pinpoint specific math skills and practice selectively.

Features include:

• 2 modes of play
• 17 vital math skills covered
• 30 levels of difficulty
• Recall of highest level and ability to reset play
• Gradual increase in difficulty level

Quality

MathLab for Grade 1 is a high-quality app that is easy to use and engaging. All features of the app work well. It is also helpful that developers included a “reset” system so players can begin again or new players can start from the beginning. However, to make this app truly useful in the classroom, developers may want to consider incorporating individual “accounts” to keep records for multiple players. As it stands, the app will remember the last level played and can be reset to begin again, but this prevents multiple students from progressing beyond what they can do in a single session. Also, there is a misspelling in the English version on the home page: the Laboratory Section is labeled “Laborytory.”

Education

This app is well-designed to improve students’ understanding of a large array of key math skills, including rote and skip counting, number identification, sequencing, addition, subtraction, and even beginning algebraic thinking and telling time. The two modes offer both an entertaining journey through mixed practice and also a method to focus practice on specific skills if needed. The app is available in four languages, and so will be useful to children from a wide array of backgrounds.

The Expedition mode shows a thirty-step path on a map and offers different math activities at each stop along the way. The exercises are randomly generated, so students will not know what to expect each time a new one is presented. They gradually become more difficult as the journey unfolds, which will keep young learners on their proverbial toes.

The Laboratory mode shows all seventeen skill categories, labeled by icons. Some are relatively clear in meaning, such as a clock with hands but no numbers, while others are a bit more cryptic, such as a plus sign next to an equals sign. It is also doubtful that children in the target age group would recognize the italicized “x” as representing a variable and indicating algebraic practice activities. It would be helpful, especially to parents and educators, to have written labels or a key available somewhere. The Laboratory exercises begin very simply with each skill and get progressively more challenging. When a player has accessed a Laboratory activity, a number appears beneath the icon to show how many exercises were completed correctly of the 20 or so offered. The app ends the Laboratory exercise when an error is made.

Entertainment

MathLab for Grade 1 will be fun for the target age group (preschool through grade 1). The Expedition mode randomizes the skills presented so that players have to think flexibly to achieve success. Correct responses are rewarded with cheers and applause and move the exercises forward. Incorrect responses trigger a slight shake of the graphics and a mild “negative” sound, and players get to choose another answer. In the Laboratory mode, correct responses move the system forward, through up to 20 exercises for the skill. The players hear applause and cheering when they enter a correct response. If an incorrect response is entered, the system stops the exercises and displays the current score. If it is the best on the activity, then the word “Best” appears on the screen. Between activities of either mode, when the decision screen is displayed, the app plays a version of “Eensy Weensy Spider” that could get just a little tiresome if heard enough times. Developers could improve this aspect of the app by offering a better array of correct response rewards and including an optional timer so players could compete with themselves for best times as well as best scores.

Value

This app is a good value for families or classrooms with children who need to practice foundational math skills. It covers a wide range of skills, including counting, number order, sequencing, beginning addition and subtraction, early algebraic skills, and more. The format is engaging and allows for mixed or skill-focused practice. The game might not have the staying power of other apps, however, because it can get a bit repetitious.

Child Friendliness

This app is very child-friendly. There are no connections to the internet, social media or email. The app is easy to use and very intuitive.

• NO external links
• NO social media
• NO in-app purchase
• NO 3rd party ads