Mathtopia and Mathtopia+ : Applying Brain Science to Math Learning

Mathtopia is generating a lot of buzz in the app community.  Both parents and teachers are finding it to be an exciting entry into the crowded field of math apps.  What helps it stand out is its use of rapid paced game play that gets kids from 5 to10 wanting to practice math facts.  Fun Educational Apps gives it a definite Top Pick for its innovative design that applies brain science to math learning. Fun Educational Apps - TOP PICK

Math calculation is the foundation on which all other math learning rests; therefore, it is absolutely essential that students memorize math facts.Mathtopia by Omega Labs  is one of a new generation of math apps that has integrated the traditional approach to learning the facts with strategic game play.  Available for the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad, it has a solid, easy to understand interface that will improve your child’s math skills in an entertaining format similar to Bejeweled.  There are two versions of the app, Mathtopia, designed for the home market, and Mathtopia+, (with enhanced record keeping capabilities) designed for the school market. Mathtopia is free to try, but the complete modules are available as in-app purchases (IAP).  The app has 25 levels for each of the four operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division).  As the levels increase, more facts are added and higher numbers are used; in level 1, for example, the only numbers are 1 and 0.   The higher the level, the greater the difficulty.  Even a slow player can accomplish 10-20 math problems in just a few minutes, and at the higher end, it is possible to do up to 40-50 problems in under 5 minutes. 

 

 

What Fun Educational Apps Liked- 

 

Using a gaming platform to improve math fluency is not a new concept.  What’s new is the way Mathtopia has refined this approach.  One improvement is the addition of strategy during game play.  The child can increase his score by moving tiles around and using special tiles (hammers and shuffles) to clear the board. Also, there is a move called multi-touch dragging in which the child uses multiple fingers to choose correct answers.  A second improvement is the method of giving feedback: correct answers disappear, but incorrect answers are locked until the child goes back and selects the right answer.  

I was curious about the ability of this app to meet the needs of students for whom learning math is a challenge.  I found that, in fact, they were able to understand the directions with demonstration, and they became more independent the longer they played.  Locking the tile after a wrong answer proved to be a good way to help them recognize that they had made an incorrect choice.  

 

Conclusion- 

Mathtopia is clearly a math app first and a game app second.  That is an important distinction for me because it speaks to the fidelity with which it was designed.  After usin Mathtopia, parents and teachers will know exactly where their child/student is functioning and where they need to boost their skills.  For all of these reasons, it has been named the latest Top Pick on Fun Educational Apps and it has also been awarded Editor's Choice Award for design by Children's Technology Review for 2013

2 Versions of Mathtopia available: Universal App

Mathtopia - Free to try with additional pack via in-app-purchase and  Mathtopia+ - full version works with the Apple discount program for Educators

  

My Bio-

Julie P. - I am a speech/language pathologist (SLP) currently working in a school setting, serving children with special needs ages 6-14.  I am happy to see more developers producing quality content for older kids. 

Have Fun With Apps! … and if your are looking for the latest kids apps deals or highly recommended app.:

Remember, many kids will see their iPad, iPhone or iPDO Touch as a gaming device, but with your help they can get much more out of it. Help them turn their iDevice into a fun learning center! 

Disclosure: This review was move up the waiting list priority-services. All opinions expressed are purely that of the author.