It is January of 2016 and after a relaxing Christmas break, I am now back at college taking my second Educational Technology class. My first assignment is to write a blog on an app that can be used in the classroom and is suitable for the grade I would like to teach. After researching many apps
enjoyed by children, parents and teachers (and honestly spending too much time playing the games) I stumbled upon an app that I feel would be perfect for a first grade classroom: Mathmateer Free.What is Mathmateer Free?
Mathmateer Free is a free iOS game created by Dan Russell-Pinson in which players build a rocket, fly into space, and try to complete as many math problems as possible before the rocket falls back onto the ground. Mathmateer Free is an educational app that can be downloaded on iPods, iPhones, and iPads. Recommended for children ages 6 and up, this app encourages children to focus on missions, prepare, and even reflect on their successes and failures. It covers many different math topics such as counting money and telling time that are prevalent to students in early elementary grades. Additionally, it even incorporates some very basic physics by encouraging students to ponder how to build the most successful rocket to complete the mission(s) (LearningWorks, 2016).
Getting StartedTo begin this game, you must first select a player, input a name, and select an avatar to represent the player. Once you have done that, you can choose to start your first mission with the sample rocket provided for you. First, you should select new mission. Here, you are able to choose from five different math categories and three levels of difficulty. Once you have done this, you are ready to press the launch button and ascend into space.
How to Play
As the rocket ascends into space, the player can tilt the iPad (or other device) from side to side to keep the rocket upright and adjust the thrust to try to get the rocket as far into space as he or she can. As soon as you reach space, you will be given a problem to solve. The answers float in space and in this fast-paced game, you must work quickly to achieve a high score. In this picture, I chose the category of money counting. The first problem I was asked to solve was "Tap the coins that add up to 21 cents". If you are correct, it moves on. If not, the answer you touched blows up and you cannot move on until you find the correct answer. After answering each question, you are immediately given a new problem over and over until your time is up and the rocket has fallen from space.
Features of Mathmateer Free:
- Even numbers
- Telling time
- Counting US money
- 3D shapes
- Multiply one digit
- Create/ modify rockets
- Play mini math games to earn money
Additionally, this app is completely free and there are no in-app purchases. To earn money for rocket parts, kids simply have to work for it by playing mini math games. This teaches kids that you have to work to buy things and leaves parents and teachers worry-free. However, in order to get more levels you would have to buy the full Mathmateer game which costs $0.99. If your class happens to really benefit from this game, the price of the full version will not break the bank.
How Can I Productively Use This in the Classroom?
This app is very functional and it could be used in many different ways. If you have an iPad center in the classroom, this would be a great app for kids to play during free time. If possible, you could even recommend a student play this app at home for extra practice. I even think Mathmateer could be a great alternative to a more formal assessment. When a teacher takes children aside individually or passes out a worksheet of math facts, students know they are being evaluated. Sometimes that knowledge can cause anxiety and affect their performance. By using Mathmateer, students will be drawn into the game and will not realize an assessment is taking place. Also, teachers can watch a student play, look at their score, and record it.
Mathmateer could be beneficial for many children but I do wish the free version included more levels. Because there is only one level included for each topic, gifted and talented students could easily get bored. On the other hand, it is a great exercise for students who need help strengthening their core math facts or simply want some extra practice. Additionally, this app would be great for students who learn from doing. Interestingly, LearningWorks for Kids suggests Mathmateer is a great choice for students with ADHD. The fast pace and relatively short missions challenges and engages them. For a student who truly struggles to stay engaged, an app like Mathmateer could be just what they need to learn and have fun.
What Do I Think?
This educational app encourages creativity and can easily be implemented in your classroom. While your students and their favored methods of learning will determine the best way to use this app, it seems like a great way to make learning math fun. Colleen, a teacher from Michigan reviewed the app and agrees. CommonSense, a website created to review all sorts of media based on the appropriateness of the content also approves. I would suggest that an adult (a teacher or parent) lightly supervise the use of this app to ensure students do not spend the entire time building rockets and avoiding math. I also wish this version included more levels of difficulty but overall, Mathmateer is a fun, engaging app for any teacher to implement into the classroom, especially if they are teaching according to the Common Core State Standards.
References
Mathmateer. (2016). Retrieved January 22, 2016 from The Gadget website: http://learningworksforkids.com/playbooks/mathmateer/
Free Mathmateer app logo [online image]. Retrieved January 22, 2016 from http://www.totallytarget.com/2013/08/31/free-mathmateer-app-for-iphone-ipad-more/
Children using iPads [online image]. Retrieved January 22, 2016 fromhttp://www.sheknows.com/living/articles/971897/favorite-ways-to-use-ipads-in-classrooms
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