Math Rider Review

Last year we had the opportunity to try Math Rider and once again we have had the opportunity to review it.  This is a math facts software program that is as effective as it is fun to play. Math Rider is recommended for ages 6-12 but really could be used by anyone (even older children) working on their math facts.  I even like playing it myself.  Facts from 1-12 are covered in this game. Up to 8 riders (users) can play....which is perfect for large families like mine.

Students (or parents) can choose which of the 4 operations to practice (or practice them mixed) and  can set which numbers are being used as well.  There are two "race modes" .  One is timed, where the other allows the student as much time as they need.

The following screen shot shows one of the courses.  The blue box in the lower right corner is where the problem appears it then starts moving across the screen toward the white box.  If the student enters the wrong answer or no answer the problem and answer will come up on the screen and there is audio as well.  I like the audio/visual reinforcement.

At the end of each ride there is a bar graph that you can mouse over.  It will tell how long it took you to answer each fact and it you are going slower than your last ride it will tell you that as well.

Statistics are available that shows which facts have been mastered and also gives a list of facts that the student is struggling with.  You can also see their progress at a quick glance on the bottom right.

Part of the fun factor of Math Rider is the quests. In Quest mode, students follow a story (finding medicine for your sick mother, save a princess etc) and work their way through The Mathlands.  They can see this map to see how they are progressing. As students complete quests they earn "rewards". There is a magical element to this program It wasn't a problem for us, but I thought it was worth mentioning.

Watch this video for a good overview:

My elementary students have been using this daily as a part of their math learning.

Overall, Math Rider is a fun way for your child to learn their math facts while you easily monitor their progress.   I highly recommend it. You can also try it free for 7 days.

Purchase Math Rider for $47. The $47 purchase is for a lifetime license with free updates.  System requirements can be found here.

See what others are saying about Math Rider on the The Old Schoolhouse Review Crew blog.

Math 911

Math 911 software was developed by Professor Martin Weissman who has over 50 years of teaching experience. Professor Weissman's Math911 is a downloadable math program which has full courses in Introductory Algebra and Intermediate Algebra with lessons in College Algebra, Trig, Pre-Calculus and Statistics. There is also an option for Algebra on a flashdrive as well.

All problems are algorithmically generated. 

10 minute learning curve. 

Step by Step solutions. 

Only Free-form answers. 

Dynamic Grade reports on all screens. 

Needs no internet connection. 

Can be networked. 

Free Home Use For Teachers 

Free Upgrades 

Free Install on New PCs Purchase

Math 911 is a free download. You don't need to use a credit card or enter a code or anything.  You just download it and get started. The entire Algebra I course is FREE.  If you want to use this for more than one student you will need to upgrade to the Premier version.  At that time, you will need to enter codes that you get from e-mailing Math911.  It's easy enough to do, it just takes a few minutes.  Once you have it installed, you click on the Math911 icon on your desktop to begin. 

Once logged on, the student can choose the section and level they want to work on.  This is a screen shot of what they will see:

screen shot of the main screen

Below is a close up of one part of the main Intermediate Algebra screen.  This shows the sections of the program that have been completed (green) and in progress (red).

The white spots in the first chapter do not indicate sections that are not completed.
The sections just do not exist.  I would prefer that they be in a different color or not be there at all so that when you finish the chapter it actually looks like it is finished.

This is the close up of the lesson part of the main screen.  This chapter is completed.
This chart matches the one above with white boxes that indicate sections that do not exist.  

Once the student clicks on a section, algorithmically generated problems will appear:  The problem or equation is on the top bar (under the header) but the directions are in the large white box on the bottom of the page.  This can be frustrating and depending on what you're working on can tend to slow you down a bit.  The answers go in the box in the center of the page.

If the student doesn't know the answer they can click to get a new problem or click the green "see all steps" button to see the answer in the second white box in the green section.

Once they see the solution, they can continue to click on the "see all steps" button and the steps will come up one at a time.

Topics are arranged by chapter, section and levels. Within each level are all the types of problems that identify the concepts that your students must know in order to be successful in Algebra including Graphs and Word Problems.

As you can tell from the screenshots, the program is very basic in appearance and the graphics are a bit outdated looking.  So, if you're looking for something fancy with bells and whistles this isn't it.  As seen below in the disclaimer, the focus is on mathematics, not games.

Introductory Algebra has 11 chapters

Chapter 1 Pre-Algebra Review
Chapter 2 Variable Expressions
Chapter 3 Solving Equations
Chapter 4 Polynomials
Chapter 5 Factoring
Chapter 6 Rational Expressions
Chapter 7 Linear Equations in Two Variables
Chapter 8 Systems of Linear Equations
Chapter 9 Inequalities
Chapter 10 Radical Expressions
Chapter 11 Quadratic Equations

Intermediate Algebra also has 11 chapters

Chapter 1 Review of Real Numbers
Chapter 2 First Degree Equations and Inequalities
Chapter 3 Linear Functions and Inequalities
Chapter 4 Systems of Equations and Inequalities
Chapter 5 Polynomials
Chapter 6 Rational Expressions
Chapter 7 Exponents and Radicals
Chapter 8 Quadratic Equations
Chapter 9 Functions and Relations
Chapter 10 Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
Chapter 11 Conic Sections

Initially, I had some trouble getting Math 911 set up.  I contacted tech support and I have to say that the customer service is probably the best I've ever received.  E-mails were answered promptly and issues were dealt with accordingly.  I even received a follow up e-mail a few days later to see if everything was going OK.  Later we had some issues with run time errors and again tech support was excellent.  Just this week we started having run time errors again, but with the free upgrade on the website we got it running again.  Unfortunately, we have had a few more run time errors which I will be contacting tech support for.  I have no doubt that tech support will be able to help me.  I do think these problems could be my computer so don't let that stop you from trying this.  IT doesn't cause any computer issues.  It just doesn't run properly when I'm getting the errors.

My 15 year old, Kaitlyn has been using the Intermediate Algebra course. Unfortunately, she really doesn't like it.  However, she doesn't enjoy Algebra in general and she doesn't like doing math on the computer so, it's hard to say whether she doesn't like Math911 or just Algebra on the computer. I have also used it a bit on my own and find it frustrating to have the answer box in the middle of the page and I dislike having to mouse over to the new problem button.  It interrupts the flow of working and I feel that it slows me down. (Katie agrees.)

Math 911 states:
Math911 is for students who believe that Algebra must be a struggle, difficult and complicated. Math911 is the easiest and most economical solution for Algebra students. The Math911 approach is what learning Algebra should be: quick, fun, and easy. Math911 will let you absorb Algebra effortlessly.

Unfortunately, we didn't find this to be true.  Katie isn't having fun and doesn't find it easy.  Perhaps a self-motivated math loving student might have a different opinion, but our experience hasn't been effortless. One of the things we struggled with was that there really is no instruction or lesson.  Students are presented with problems.  If they don't know how to do a problem they can click on the "see solution" button for the answer and then for the step-by-step process for solving the problem.  However, for someone that doesn't understand the problem, just seeing the step by step without any explanation often isn't enough.   I have  had to spend a lot of time helping Katie with her Algebra.  I am comfortable with this because I majored in math in college.  I'm not sure I would know what to do without that background.

With a Mastery Learning approach your students are never graded for wrong answers, only correct responses; they work at problems until they ‘get it.’

I really do like this aspect of the program.  Problems are generated until the student masters the concept. In a few cases, we found that the program would not accept correct answers.  The answer provided did not match the solution in the step-by-step solution either.  This was a problem in that in order to complete the section the same problem would come up repeatedly.  Eventually, we started writing down the incorrect answer that was shown and just entering it the next time it came up.  Math 911 does regular updates to their software so I imagine that errors such as this are being corrected.

Overall, I would like to see the appearance of Math911 updated and some of the capabilities improved.  For instance, besides the things I've already mentioned, there is an onscreen calculator that students can use, but they have to close it before entering the answer in the box.  Also, once you complete a problem you have to mouse over to the "new problem" button instead of just hitting the enter button.

I think Math911 would be best for a self-motivated student that has a strong desire to learn Algebra. I also think it would make a great addition to an existing curriculum for lots of practice.

One final note is that you will find some really nice Algebra 1 pdf lessons which are free to download and a free Laugh with Math cartoon e-book you can download.  Both are well written, very instructive and entertaining.  I highly recommend you check them out. (You will find these in the left hand column by scrolling down.)

The Standard Version of Math911 is a free complete Algebra One Course and can be downloaded from the website. No credit card, rebate or coupon code is needed.

The Premier Version costs $49.95  The Premier Version includes Introductory and Intermediate Algebra, College Algebra, Pre-Calculus topics, Trigonometry topics and and an Introductory Statistics course. Premier Version users will have free lifetime updates, free technical support as well as access to additional Mathematics Courses with separate grade reports for all family members.

How to activate with Activation Codes for Premier, Premier Password, Network Password:
Upon purchase ($49.95) you should:

1. Click on Register button and email the Registration Codes to mathprof@math911.com
2. Identify yourself as a homeschooler.
3. You will receive a reply email with ALL Activation Codes for all versions listed below:
a) Premier Version (one user, no password)
b) Premier Password (Multi-users with passwords)
c) Network Version (Multi-users with passwords)
4. Users can switch between versions by clicking the REGISTER button and entering the codes for the desired version.
5. Passwords are generated by the software.

I would encourage you to see what others are saying about Math 911 on The Schoolhouse Review Crew blog.  I also would encourage you to download Math911 and give it a try.  It's free so you have nothing to lose and it might be just what you need in your homeschool.


disclaimer: I received Math 911 Premier version in exchange for an honest review.

CapJaxMathFax

We've been trying out CapJaxMathFax™  for the last few weeks. It was an easy download to my computer. There is a 4 page Teacher Guide available on the website that will walk you through the set up and features of CapJaxMathFax™ . (It was really easy to set up.)

CapJaxMathFax™ is a simple way to get math fact practice in and get detailed information on how your student is progressing.  It's not a flashy program and is ideal for kids who like to see their scores go up and improve themselves.

I had my 9 year old daughter use this daily for about 10 minutes.  Unfortunately, I never told her to check the box to "play for rating" and didn't get any stats for her for the time she has been using it.  I did, however, use it myself to see how it works. 

See encouraging messages as you improve your rating.
Click on the message in the bottle for an "inspirational quote."

With CapJaxMathFax™  the problems start out easy and then as the child gains confidence with the initial success the difficulty increases.  I really liked how the levels were short.  In some programs you have to "play" forever before you get any sort of reward or feedback.  Not so with CapJaxMathFax™.  It doesn't take much time to see a message telling you what you have accomplished.  

This is the main screen where the student signs in.  They can select the operation they want to
practice and the level to work on. You can also change the number of facts in a set,
set the number of seconds to get a "super" rating and determine whether you want to play for rating,
  practice without rating or practice on the keyboard.

Practicing on the keyboard is great for students that are not familiar with the keyboard or need more practice to gain speed.  All a student needs to do is type in the number that is shown....easy peasy.

In practice mode, operations can be mixed (you choose which ones you want).  When playing for a rating you only test on one operation at a time.

As students learn they have the option of putting a table up on the screen to help them with just the click of a button.

The green arrow (I added) points to the table button.
The blue arrow  is pointing to the table.
In practice mode, the table will automatically switch between addition and
multiplication if you are practicing
more than one operation.

One other neat feature is the Word Thinkers option where students get their facts as a word problem like you see here:

Other options include twelves, negatives and working on a single level.

Detailed summaries can be printed as well so you know what facts your child needs help with or to create a record.

You can also check on your child's progress by viewing the progress graph.  View all the operations at once or choose one or more at a time.

When your student masters an operation a certificate pops up which can be printed if you wish.

I think this is a nice program for having students practice math facts, however my daughter (9) really did not enjoy this at all and said it was boring.  I think she prefers something a little more flashy.  I mastered all of the  operations in familiarizing myself with the program in just a few sessions and enjoyed using it. I think it will depend on what motivates your child as to whether a child will like this or not. You can try it out FREE here.

You can download  CapJaxMathFax™   for $29.95. (CD version also available for $35.90)  Also available is a set of 4 merit buttons that can be purchased for $4 so you can award your student as soon as they master an operation.

The Addition Merit Button

See what others are saying about  CapJaxMathFax™   on the TOS crew blog.  Also feel free to ask me any questions and I'd be happy to answer if I can.

About Captain Jack
Starboard Training Systems is headed by Jack Fretwell. Jack earned a Masters degree in Educational Technology and has spent over thirty years in education and computers. He has taught math to elementary students and computer and business skills to Xerox Corporation executives. As an undergraduate Jack belonged to Pi Mu Epsilon honorary mathematics fraternity. In graduate school his Miller Analogy Test scores qualified him for membership to Mensa. Jack is a sailor and holds several patents relating to sailing and mathematic software. In Jack's spare time you might find him with his harmonica playing some blues with his band in Northern Virginia.



disclaimer: I received CapJaxMathFax free in exchange for an honest review.