Blog 3.5

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 8^th 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.