Alessandro Ceccarelli
Blog 3.5
(Extra-Credit)
Target Users: Kindergarten through second grade
1. 
This tool can be used by children in K-8 grade and is an
interactive learning site. While Through games and riddle-solving children will
be able to absorb new concepts or practice the ones they learned in school
without having to go through dry textbook or homework assignment.
While I have focused on the math section, there is also the
possibility to practice reading. The main skills that will be required by the
player are some knowledge on using the computer keyboard and mouse in order to
navigate the games and good foundation is reading in order to understand the
instructions and the purpose of each individual game.
Since this website is offered for children as young as
kindergarten-age to young teens in 8th grade, it is age-appropriate
for a wide range of people. Before use however, it is important for an adult to
be present to explain the way the website works and to make sure the younger
players understand where their limitations are.
2. 
“Kids Learning Numbers” is an application that can be
downloaded both on iPhones and Androids and costs $2.99. The goal of this
application is to take math on the road and allow your young children to perfect
their counting and analyzing skills form anywhere. Some of the sections inside
the app are counting, tracing, and finding patterns, together with a few other
options.
When using “counting” and “tracing” for example, there will
be various games in which one has to identify the number of items on the screen
or click a number hand have the app say it out loud to improve the knowledge of
numbers and their names. Then, the children can trace the number zero, one, two
and so on.
Since this is made for young children, there is no need for
previous knowledge of numbers. It matches my target age group very well and
only requires for a parent to show the child how to use the phone and how the
app works.
3. 
This website is a very valuable resource of teachers, as
well as parents looking to bring their kids skills to the next level. This
resource is “focuses on
several critical math areas such as the understanding of base-ten notation and
place value, building fluency with addition and subtraction, using simple
concepts of multiplication, measuring length with appropriate units, finding
the perimeter, classifying and analyzing shapes, telling time, and counting
back change in coins and bills” (Math-Play.com).
This
source is made for children from elementary age through either grade. This will
once again allow for a variety of students, including my target age group. Depending on the year a student plays on, one
will have to possess increasingly advanced math skills on order to complete the
challenges. Once again, there would not be very much knowledge needed for my
age group.
Since there are a lot of different sections and types of
games that are potentially confusing, this source will need more adult
supervision and guidance. Especially for the younger groups there will have to
be a teacher or parent to assist the kids throughout their learning.
4. 
TallyTots Counting is a game designed for young children
that is an action-packed
app that helps kids learn the 123s with 20 awesome mini-games. It is compatible
with the iPhone and Android and costs $2.99. The app uses various scenarios
that require number counting in order to win and “layer up the sandwich” or “find
the colorful cupcakes” (TallyTots).
Since this game is designed to teach kids the basics of
learning and counting, it is right within the range of my targeted age group. As
a result, there once again is no need to posses any mathematical skills
beforehand. The important thing for the app is that a child is only enough to
handle a smartphone and that he/she understanding what the goal of the app is.
Parents may want to be around the children the first few
time in order to insure safety with the cell phone, as well as help the child
in navigating the app and even in completing the challenges from the various
games.
Hey Alessandro! I tried out some of the applications such as MathPlay and TallyTots and found their games to be somewhat entertaining. I also found them to be quite useful because they seem like the type of game that would attract younger generations. Great job!
ReplyDeletealessandro
ReplyDeletei love love love that you included a "comprehensive" list by including apps and not just websites! 1,2,3 numbers and tallytots look very useful for emergent mathematicians and i plan to check them out in more detail. nice job of giving good synopses of these. some of the "skills needed" portion could have used a little more detail but still great!
professor little