Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Math Blaster




http://www.adrianbruce.com/computers/math-blaster/math_blaster.htm

The Math Blaster Game is design for children of all ages. It contains basically addition, subtraction, multiplication and division functions. It follows the drill and practice teaching and it also facilitates children to challenge their knowledge. There are different levels in which children can choose to play . It promotes automaticity and enhances reward as points are rewarded and deducted as persons seek to advance to the next level of the game. The Math Blaster is quite easy to navigate through and the game is very attractive to hold the children’s interest. Here are some tips teachers can use to maximize classroom learning using the Math Blaster:

  1. Discuss and demonstrate how ineffective counting on fingers is. NB point out that it is an excellent strategy, it is just really slow.
    2. Discuss & practice mental strategies that lead to automaticity (See it. Say it!) e.g. in Addition - Doubles, Doubles plus One, Doubles plus Two, Facts to 10
    3. Have them work in pairs on the computer and discuss strategies as they play the game.
    4. Use an egg timer set to half the session time so each gets a turn on the mouse.
    5. Ensure they are playing an appropriate level. Often they will fire it up at Addition Level One while you are not looking. "Challenge Yourself to Work at the Edge of Your Learning!"
    6. Make sure they are playing full missions and not just practice mode to shoot the rocks.
  2. 7. Talk to them about strategies you would use if you were playing the game.
    8. Play the game on a data projector and discuss efficient strategies as a class.
    9. Have one child play the game and the other on a calculator and see who gets the answers first. This can be used to show that the mind is more efficient than the calculator in some situations.

It is definitely a fun and exciting way to learn.

Some other links are:

http://www.ixl.com/math

http://www.adrianbruce.com/computers/zoombinis/problem-solving-software.htm

Friday, February 26, 2010

Bruce's Unusual Typing Wizard

http://typing.qcalculus.com

This software assists persons in learning how to type. It contains tutorials and there is also a game to make learning how to type fun and interesting. The strategy used is basically drill and practice and it uses a constructivist approch. This software is targeted for persons of all ages from infants to adults. There is an open help file with the software which allows users to be educated about the software and the uses of the software. This software promotes automaticity as it contains typing lessons and also typing practice before a person can actually play the game. It can be used in three different languages and is quite easy to navigate through. The game challenges the user's speed and accuracy and it assist persons in being able to recall letter positions quickly and precisely. The game can also be a stimulus as it rewards persons with points as each level is completed correctly. In this way persons can compete with friends to see who can attain a highest score and who can be at the highest level. This makes playing the game exciting and fun for everyone. Reinforcement is also used in the structure of the game since points is deduced from your score if a wrong answer is given. The software has entertaining sounds which encourages persons to use the program. Everyone needs to be computar literate in this present time so learn or improve your typing skills. Try it, trust me you will love it!!

Here are some site you can view for fun educational software such as this:
http://www.smartkidssoftware.com/
http://www.kidslick.com/
http://www.sssoftware.com/
http://www.caltrox.com/

Bruce's Unusual Typing Wizard

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

General Knowledge Quiz

The game General Knowledge Quiz is a very informative an fun game to play. It is design to educate persons about everyday knowledge. The game helps to improve your attention span, speed and also assist persons to conceptualize faster as there is a time limit for every question to be answered. For every question you answer correctly 50 points will be awarded and if a question is answered incorrectly 10 points will be deduced from your final score. Also when questions are answered incorrectly the correct answer is given thus educating persons. Persons can also challenge their friends to see whocan obtain a higher score. As the level increases the points also increases.
Come on... follow the link and try it!!! It is a fun and enjoyable way to learn :-)

http://www.justgames.ch

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

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