Comments on: Math Success Deluxe 2010 http://funkidmathgames.com/math-success-deluxe-2010/ Maths for children, math games for children, math toys for children Mon, 06 Sep 2010 12:37:25 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Susan E. Timko http://funkidmathgames.com/math-success-deluxe-2010/comment-page-1/#comment-66 Susan E. Timko Fri, 05 Mar 2010 09:12:33 +0000 http://funkidmathgames.com/math-success-deluxe-2010/#comment-66 A great way to learn at your own pace. Easy to understand. Games to play to test your understanding of subject matter. A great way to learn at your own pace. Easy to understand. Games to play to test your understanding of subject matter.

]]> By: Bob From Springfield http://funkidmathgames.com/math-success-deluxe-2010/comment-page-1/#comment-67 Bob From Springfield Fri, 05 Mar 2010 09:12:33 +0000 http://funkidmathgames.com/math-success-deluxe-2010/#comment-67 I purchased this to refresh my math skills and I'm -VERY- disappointed! This program is nothing more than a reading course on a disc. No games, no puzzles, no challenges (beyond not falling asleep) and no interactivity beyond clicking the navigation buttons. The "Animated Lessons" are short animations where the numbers move. There is absolutely nothing to keep the student engaged. It's tough to make math exciting, but "Math Success" does its best to make sure it stays boring. Because of how it's presented, it's as dull as reading a math textbook. <br /> <br />One of the advantages that computer learning has over book learning is that the interactivity helps the learning process and keeps the student focused. There's none of that here. It's simply text and then tests; and the tests aren't randomized with new problems to solve if you want to take them again. To be quite honest, it looks like it's programmed for Windows 95. And for whatever reason the program doesn't even go full screen (see uploaded screenshots), which I found annoying because the lessons/explanations can't be viewed as a whole. There's not even a minimize button, so if you need to get the program out of the way for a moment you have to shut it down. <br /> <br />The box says this program is written for 9yrs old and up, but pity the poor child that has to read something like "Six is the exponent and three is the base. Notice the exponent is written as a superscript (meaning it is higher than the other numbers); it is also to the right of the base." This is in one of the first lessons of the "Basic Math" category. I understand it, you may understand it, but how well will a child understand it? The graphical layout of the lessons have all of the visual stimulation of a Microsoft Word document. I don't know if official studies have been done, but I think it's safe to say that no preteen has ever found a Word doc to be particularly engaging or compelling. Because of the dry presentation and lack of interaction, this is the last program you want your child to use if they're having problems in class. You might as well just tell them to read their schoolbook. <br /> <br />Because this is barely more than a reading course on a disc, I strongly suggest that if you're an adult that's also doing math refreshers, take a free online course. If you're looking for something for your child, you DEFINITELY DON'T WANT THIS. This will not hold their attention because of the dry, confusing explanations and lack of interactivity. It may actually have the opposite effect of what you're trying to achieve. <br /> <br />If this is the "Deluxe" version I surely would hate to see the "Regular" version. <br /> I purchased this to refresh my math skills and I’m -VERY- disappointed! This program is nothing more than a reading course on a disc. No games, no puzzles, no challenges (beyond not falling asleep) and no interactivity beyond clicking the navigation buttons. The “Animated Lessons” are short animations where the numbers move. There is absolutely nothing to keep the student engaged. It’s tough to make math exciting, but “Math Success” does its best to make sure it stays boring. Because of how it’s presented, it’s as dull as reading a math textbook.

One of the advantages that computer learning has over book learning is that the interactivity helps the learning process and keeps the student focused. There’s none of that here. It’s simply text and then tests; and the tests aren’t randomized with new problems to solve if you want to take them again. To be quite honest, it looks like it’s programmed for Windows 95. And for whatever reason the program doesn’t even go full screen (see uploaded screenshots), which I found annoying because the lessons/explanations can’t be viewed as a whole. There’s not even a minimize button, so if you need to get the program out of the way for a moment you have to shut it down.

The box says this program is written for 9yrs old and up, but pity the poor child that has to read something like “Six is the exponent and three is the base. Notice the exponent is written as a superscript (meaning it is higher than the other numbers); it is also to the right of the base.” This is in one of the first lessons of the “Basic Math” category. I understand it, you may understand it, but how well will a child understand it? The graphical layout of the lessons have all of the visual stimulation of a Microsoft Word document. I don’t know if official studies have been done, but I think it’s safe to say that no preteen has ever found a Word doc to be particularly engaging or compelling. Because of the dry presentation and lack of interaction, this is the last program you want your child to use if they’re having problems in class. You might as well just tell them to read their schoolbook.

Because this is barely more than a reading course on a disc, I strongly suggest that if you’re an adult that’s also doing math refreshers, take a free online course. If you’re looking for something for your child, you DEFINITELY DON’T WANT THIS. This will not hold their attention because of the dry, confusing explanations and lack of interactivity. It may actually have the opposite effect of what you’re trying to achieve.

If this is the “Deluxe” version I surely would hate to see the “Regular” version.

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