Mystery Math Town by Applicable2U

   Mystery Math Town

   by Artgig Apps

Some might be wondering where did Applicable2U go since the summer time.  Yes, I have been “ed app missing in action” but have made a brief return for my friends at Artgig Apps.  Over the last few months, Artgig Apps has been busy and certainly making their mark in the app world.  If you aren’t familiar with Artgig Apps, they are known for Shake-A-Phrase, Alien Buddies, Marble Math and Marble Math Jr.  Recently, Common Sense Media and CTR (Children’s Technology Review) awarded Marble Math and Marble Math Jr. for excellence in design and “must have” apps on your device.  Today the celebration continues as they launch in the App Store, Mystery Math Town.   Mystery Math Town is intended to be used with children ages 6-12 years old.  In order to visit this mysterious town, users must have an iPad device running iOS 5 or later.  It’s perfect for home and school usage as it allows for multiple accounts and customization of user skills while meeting grade level Common Core State Standards.  While on this island, players will use their mathematical knowledge of addition, subtraction and multiplication in order to unlock rooms, windows and secret passage ways. Your child(ren) will be completely engaged from the very beginning as they create their own quirky avatar.   If any of my readers have been to Walt Disney World, Magic Kingdom lately, you may have noticed a new technical integration of talking paintings that guide you through the park in order to solve a mystery.  While exploring Mystery Math Town on my device this memory of Magic Kingdom came to mind as I opened doors, zipped down stairs and interacted with talking paintings or animated objects within each room while doing math.   Learn to build numerical sentences and fact families with numbers, dice, and tally marks.  With a clean and easy to navigate design, users will be developing strategies and building their critical thinking skills along the way.

Before your mystery can begin, users will not want to miss the chance to design their own avatar, swipe through a variety choices. What type of hat/hair, eyes or mouth will your child(ren) choose? Once created, no avatar is set in stone, it can be altered at anytime.  Differentiate a players experience by selecting those skills that will be incorporated during their mystery.

• Addition: 0-10, 11-20, or 21-50
• Subtraction: 0-10, 11-20, or 21-50
• Multiplication: x1, x2, x5, x10 or x1-x10
• Types of numbers to include dice and tallies

Off the shores of this island are 8 homes and your goal is to help an adorable ghost find a total of 50 firefly friends that have been trapped in jars. Homes provide users with a large library of mathematical questions.  Once through the front door, the direction you go next will depend on the numbers you store.  Users will need to keep in mind that their storage meter will only hold 8 numbers, this is where strategy comes in.  Use the numbers collected to build fluency of addition, subtraction and multiplication as you go through windows, up/down stairs or through doorways.  If along the way your child is unsure of how to solve, use a lifeline, but use them wisely, they are only given three.  Mystery Math Town is equipped with a number of bonus features or positive reinforcements, a collection of talking paintings (ie. Ms. Maps, Shirley MacStroodle and FlapJack) and a treasure chest of coins.  Applicable2U actually found themselves going around in circles at times, had I made good numerical choices?  If not, how should I solve.  With some many schools talking about Common Core State Standards, a number of standards came to mind through exploration.  For example,

• CCSS.Math.Content.1.OA.C.6 Add and subtract within 20, demonstrating fluency for addition and subtraction within 10. Use strategies such as counting on; making ten (e.g., 8 + 6 = 8 + 2 + 4 = 10 + 4 = 14); decomposing a number leading to a ten (e.g., 13 – 4 = 13 – 3 – 1 = 10 – 1 = 9); using the relationship between addition and subtraction (e.g., knowing that 8 + 4 = 12, one knows 12 – 8 = 4); and creating equivalent but easier or known sums (e.g., adding 6 + 7 by creating the known equivalent 6 + 6 + 1 = 12 + 1 = 13).

• CCSS.Math.Content.1.OA.D.8 Determine the unknown whole number in an addition or subtraction equation relating three whole numbers. For example, determine the unknown number that makes the equation true in each of the equations 8 + ? = 11, 5 = _ – 3, 6 + 6 = _.

     Yes, Mystery Math Town has been added to a large list of educational math apps.  However, this truly is unlike any other math app that I have experienced.  It is so much more than clicking the sum, difference or product.  It’s about understanding properties of math, working with equations, and building fluency.  Recently, I had a fourth grade student visit this mysterious town, at the end I asked him what he thought.  He said, “This is an AWESOME app.”  In addition, his classroom teacher was very impressed at how it meets the needs of students at grade level and those needing additional support within an inclusionary educational model.  Take the time to download Mystery Math Town TODAY by simply clicking here. You won’t regret it!

If you would like to read more, please visit my website: http://applicable2u.wordpress.com

Murky Reef Lite - Grade 1-2 Reading, Science and Math

 Murky Reef Lite

by Frolyc

As the instructional technology specialist for my building, grades 3-5, I am constantly questioning myself and those that I collaborate with. A common question that I find myself asking, “is the approach or unit/lesson “true” technology integration which will meet a variety of curriculum standards?”  Good integration can occur in a variety of ways, the latest being the impact that the mobile market as on education.  Through our PLN (professional learning network) via Twitter, Murky Reef Lite by developers Frolyc came highly recommended and Applicable2U needed to know if in fact it was applicable to you.  Designed for those with an iPad device running iOS 4.3 or later, downloaders (parents/educators) and aquatic learners will find this cross-curricular app very engaging as it enhances ones thinking skills and implements a variety of 21st century skills. Without even realizing it, this educational app has seamlessly incorporated a multitude of age appropriate skills and academic areas into one.

Frolyc is a proud member of Moms with Apps, a collaborative group of family-friendly developers.  As stated on their website, Frolyc aimes to create apps that will put users to the test as they learn through questioning, exploring and yes, even frolicking in unusual places.  Murky Reef was built with Bloom’s Taxonomy in mind, which means as your child or students use this application,  they will be building their knowledge of the ocean, supported for comprehension, encouraged to analyze and to apply their knowledge through a number of activities.  We were very impressed with their informative website and the process that was put in place when creating Murky Reef – both versions: lite and the in-app upgrade for $3.99.  With so many states moving towards a new set of standards, the Common Core Standards, educators will be pleased to see that their children’s “gaming” will in fact meet some of the math and language arts standards for children ages 4-10.

Put your scuba gear on as your elementary student will be introduced to a various sea life creatures in the imaginary waters of Murky Reef.  Through the use of very clear and concise tutorials, pictorial supports, pleasurable characters, animation and sound effects, ones curiosity will be sparked.  Unlike most “lite” versions, Murky Reef does in fact provide users with a good amount of content.  The lite version will give users access to 6 cross curricular areas: Number Sense, Spot Rhyming Words, Greater Than, “Not In” Letter, Addition 1-10 and a comprehension quiz.  However, in the full upgrade, users will be given a total of 22 games as it builds on vocabulary, sight words, word synthesis, number patterns and sentence structure/composition to name just a few.  Regardless of which version is downloaded to your mobile device, along with interactive graphics and audio,  users will also have access to informative text and safe videos as they explore such science topics as: the coral reef ecosystem, habitat and prey/predator relationships, and an introduction to sharks, pufferfish, cleaner fish and many more.

While scouring the murky seas, your objective is to stop Ogee, the unfriendly Shark.  With each level completed, players will earn fish rewards that can be manipulated in “creature play” mode.  With 18 different sea creatures to collect, their fish tank will be filled with the schools of fish that they have saved.  To learn more about those schools saved, drag them over your submarine and a pop up textbox will appear. A note to the developers –  since this is an educational app for children as young as 4, might it be possible to include a reading option of this informational text if the application is being used independently.  As the “Attack” and “Creature” modes are designed for the players, developers have also included a little something for parents and/or educators.  With a simple tap of our four-eyed turtle friend in the lower right hand corner, parents and educators will have access to a very detailed report of how a user is doing.  Reports will share the number of attempts made in each “Attack” mode and the percentage of correct answers.  In addition, it will provide a break down of skills based on: comprehension, logical reasoning, language arts and math. Another suggestion for a future update might be to put a lock mode on our turtle friend as this information is most important to the parents and/or educator  as it can guide them for future instruction and support.

Applicable2U was very impressed with our Twitter find and would definitely give it a five star rating.  Making cross curricular connections in multiple platforms and educational environments is critical.  Those questioning whether to implement a 1:1 iPad pilot program or even to purchase for personal home usage need to see the educational connections that developers like Frolyc are making.  If you would like to learn more about Frolyc, please visit theirwebsite here.  To begin exploring Murky Reef Lite, simply click here to access via your iTunes library.  However, if interested in the full version, simply click here.

Reviewers website: www.applicable2u.wordpress.com

Math Evolve by Applicable2U

Math Evolve

By Zephyr Games and Interaction Education

“On a distant plant, there lives a colony of rapidly evolving creatures, using math, they learned to harness the power of the universe and to control the world around them. However these math secrets are being lost due to a hostile alien force. You have been brought on to learn, evolve and save our planet from destruction.”  This is how the story begins when your first – sixth grader steps into a whole new evolution called Math Evolve by Zephyr Games.  With so many states moving towards implementing the Common Core standards, teachers and parents need to be aware of alternative ways of reinforcing these standards so as to make them more knowledgeable and skillful learners.  With a video game like feel, Math Evolve is designed for your any Apple device running iOS 3.0 or later.  Travel to unknown places as you cross environments such as the ocean, space and under the eyes of a microscope.  Through this journey your mathematician will be gaming for a reason as they improve their math fluency, number sense and mental math skills.

Come aboard this lively adventure as Math Evolve allows for multiple users to make an attempt at saving our planet.  Math Evolve is equipped with two modes of play: story and practice mode. Each provides the user a challenging experience as they evade and destroy the enemies.  The story can begin to be told based on a particular users mathematical needs.  Math is broken in three levels of difficulty: easy, medium and hard.  In addition, games can be further challenged as you decide whether to play as a beginner, advanced and expert.  Initially there are only 3 levels unlocked, with success additional levels are opened.  With a total of 12 levels and three environments, creatures (players) will not be zoning out with this educational video game.  The traditional way of learning your facts, flash cards or worksheets has come into the 21st century skills.  Immediately teachers, parents and students will see that in order to save Earth, students are answering problems in a variety of ways. Solve problems as basic math facts (7+3=__) or fill in the missing blank (__+ 3 = __ and 7 + ___ = ___) and make your own equation (___ + ___ = ___).  A very interesting feature of getting players to understand the properties of math: associative or communicative.  As the story is being told, you will notice your character transforming as he saves the planet and defeats the 18 enemies.  Use your fine motor skills as you drag this small alien creature backwards, forwards and sideways to pop the correct answer or build your own equation. Correct answers are visualized with a green checkmark and incorrect answers will be indicated with a red x.  In story mode, play moves pretty quickly that users might not realize until the end of the game that they have lost points or energy for wrong answers.

As you play the practice mode, users will notice that the threat of enemies is no longer present.  Within this mode of play, players now have the choice to practice addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and combinations of +/- and x/÷.  In addition, players now have the option to change the game play up a bit.  Set your solutions with a minimun and maximum number, turn negative numbers on/off and alter the number of questions that need to be answered.  A note to the developers - might it be possible to change the scrolling feature to be more exact based on what the user wants, possibly with arrows up and down rather than a bar feature.  As an adult, I found setting these numbers was rather difficult.  When practicing multiplication and/or division, players will be able to truly hone in on areas of need or reinforce as they can set the factors seen during game time.  Landscapes will be familiar minus the distractions.  In this mode of play, your little alien will be expected to catch one of four amebas.  If correct, players will be rewarded with a green checkmark.  If however, the answered if passed or incorrectly chosen a new component has been added, a tutor feature. The tutor feature has a calculator like  appearance with the ability to see the challenging equation one more time without being in motion.  A few additional notes to the developers – it would great to add in the early stages of the practice mode a slower pace as users just learning their math facts, the pace may seem a bit fast.  In addition, Applicable2U would love to see equations written slightly differently or at least given an option to alter how they are written.  We immediately noticed that 1 digit factors or addends were written as 2 digits.  This may confuse children as this is not how it is presented in school or on homework assignments.  This format may also challenge students that are dyslexic. With the quick pace of solving, they may see 02 as 20, thus changing the solution of the problem.

Overall, Applicable2U enjoyed their experience with this educational app.  It has a great deal of academic potential for all parties involved: parents, teachers and students.  With detailed reports which are generated based on the various modes of play, future instruction can then be individualized for each child or student.  When your child is gaming via a DS or Wii, what are they getting out of the experience?  Was the dollar value truly worth it?  When they game via their mobile device as they play Math Evolve, they will not only be evolving as a savior of our planet, but they will be evolving their mathematic skills as well for only $1.99.  Definitely worth the price!  If you would like to learn more about Zephyr Games, please visit their website here.  Start learning and evolving today by simply downloading Math Evolve to your iTunes library here.

Reviewers website:  www.applicable2u.wordpress.com

Love to Count by Applicable2U

Love to Count by Pirate Trio

by Next is Great

When you think about incorporating a mobile device with any grade level student or child, their goal should be to understand and grasp the skill(s) being taught, right? Well then come aboard a pirate ship as we land on the shores of unknown seas. As they use their mobile device, the hope is that they are discovering new mathematical skills rather than playing to memorize. Love to Count by Pirate Trio has been designed and tested to do just that in a very creative way to enhance numbers.  It is a mathematical educational app designed for all Apple devices running iOS 4.0 or later.  When you read the title of the app, Love to Count, you assume your child will only be working on basic skills.  Well, you couldn’t be more wrong.  Applicable2U was amazed at the number of mathematical skills that are reinforced as your son/daughter or student(s) are playing in the land of pirates.

Love to Count by Pirate Trio is accessible to multiple users.  When entering you can choose from six diverse characters, 3 boys and 3 girls.   As you dive down into the deep  blue sea or hop aboard a pirate ship, your student or child will be working and exploring with adding, subtracting, shapes, counting and ordering.  Each of these skills is then narrowed down even further to deepen their understanding of numbers.  There are a number of things that Applicable2U loves about this application.  Love to Count by Pirate Trio is accessible for all learners.  It provides a great deal of repetition, verbal reinforcement, a hands on learning experience as they use their fine motor skills to move items around the page, rewards and even user statistics that a parent or teacher can view.  When playing some math applications, users are at times stressed due to a timer, Love to Count by Pirate Trio does not incorporate such a feature.  The captain aboard the ship, or the narrator, reads the question and basically waits until an answer is chosen or the “Done” green checkmark is selected. If a child needs to question repeated, the developers have an answer for that, simply click the speech bubble button in the top right hand corner and your captain will read the question once again.

As you successfully complete each question, users are verbally rewarded.  If however, you have chosen an incorrect answer, not to worry, you can always try again.  As you enhance your understanding of numbers 1 to 10, users will be asked to unlock a secret code word, once unlocked you can then enter a cave where hidden rewards are.  These rewards are stored in your treasure chest and can viewed for others to see.  The approach that is taken with this educational app is very well done. Although there are over 700 math tasks, Applicable2U would love to see an extension of numbers added for those having mastered the necessary skills.  Such an extension could come through as a free update, or an in-app purchase to those that have downloaded Loved to Count by Pirate Trio.

Overall, Applicable2U will certainly recommend Love to Count by Pirate Trio to other educators and parents.  If you would like to learn more about Next is Great, please visit their website here.  If your son or daughter loves to count, then you will want to add this pirate adventure to your iTunes library, simply click here.

Reviewers website: www.applicable2u.wordpress.com

Motion Math Zoom by Applicable2U

Motion Math Zoom
by Motion Math, Inc.

With a variety of animals, both ancient and those more familiar, children will be encouraged to learn their numbers with the help of an interactive number line. From the creators of award winning iPhone and iPad applications, Motion Math Zoom was launched this past summer and is zooming out of control, in a very positive way!  It is eye appealing to all age levels and supportive for both parents and teachers in so many ways.  With the ability to add what appears to be an unlimited amount of users, this educational app can be customized to meet the mathematical needs of all academic levels.  Are you looking for a new way to integrate your Apple mobile devices into the classroom?  Are you and your students bored with the old way of introducing numbers and the importance of place value?  Well, according to research done by Motion Math, this intriguing application makes flexible mental computation, numerical estimation, and quantitative judgment possible in a most visually appealing manner.

It is important to note that when downloading Motion Math Zoom initially you are viewing the lite/free version. Without having to spend the money, developers thought it might be worthwhile to “wet” your educational palette to make sure that this was the concept you needed to reinforce.  With the lite version, you will be able to unlock 6 levels of play.  However, as in app purchase, users could have access to a total of 24 levels of number play.  As you zoom in and out, users will experience a variety of numbers ranging from 1-1000, negatives, decimals in the tenths, hundredths and thousandths as well as a challenge mode.  By simply scrolling from side to side and pinching your fingers in and out, users are expected to pop a numbered bubble into its correct place on a number line.  With the help of logical mathematical skills and estimation, users will need to know when it’s time to pinch, zoom or scroll.  In doing so, users will be surprised to see the transition that the number line will take.

There are a number of outstanding academic support systems in place that Applicable2U truly loves that Motion Math Zoom chose to include.  Initially in our exploration, I played like a teacher/parent that had the background knowledge of numbers and place value.  As I progressed through the game, I noticed stars being earned due to the way I was playing based on my speed or that I had the “bubble popping” needle set to on.  As our exploration continued, I decided to see how the experience would change if I put my student cap on. Indeed it did change and I was pleasantly surprised!  As I navigated through the introduction, I stumbled upon a wonderful feature.  If you are familiar with what is called “wait time”, children tend to need time to process what is placed in front of them.  If given a number and unsure where it belongs on the number line, interaction with the mobile device may lag causing this wait time.  With this lag came some amazing features.   For example, a pointed finger appeared at the bottom of my number line indicating what type of motion needed to take place.  In addition if further wait time occurred,  a written explanation was added to the screen “Move the frogs to 20.”  The last type of support that we noticed was a small bubble wand appearing on the left hand side which I could click on thus blowing out a bubble which asked and also spoke “Want help?” This would be an excellent opportunity for a teacher or parent to step in to provide their student or child academic support through the use of questioning and additional reinforcement.

Overall, Applicable2U feels that Motion Math Zoom is a winning application!  It truly provides an educational support to those on the go or in a whole/small group instruction setting.  Whether you are a teacher/parent of a regular or special education child(ren) or happen to be a homeschooler, it is time to zoom in. If you would like to learn more about Motion Math Zoom or any other Motion Math, Inc applications, please visit their website here.  Are you ready to zoom along the number line, then begin downloading Motion Math Zoom to your iTunes library here. 

Reviewers website: www.applicable2u.wordpress.com

iLearn with Poko: Addition by Applicable2U

   iLearn With Poko: Addition
           by Tribal Nova 

      It’s time to go on a mathematical journey with Poko and his two adorable friends, Bibi and Minus.  Poko is no stranger to the Apple Store.  You may be familiar with the iLearnWith series Seasons and Animals, however today’s recent cross curricular application launch directly pertains to math.  As an educator and parent, Poko and the gang are always welcome back to our house for a mobile learning play date.  Tribal Nova’s development of apps are directly correlated to the National Standards and spread across a wide array of developmental necessities like language development, creativity and reinforcement of various academic areas.  iLearn With Poko: Addition is appropriately designed for children ages 3-7 as it builds upon the concept of addition with three interactive and playful activities.

This series of applications was designed to encourage all types of learning styles.  With clear and concise directions, progress trackers, repetition and verbal and visual reinforcements, users can work at their own pace as they learn and have fun.  As you watch your child play, you will notice the outstanding graphics and animation that have been included.  Within this educational app, users will be able to make personal connections with the activities that Poko wants to play through such things as: bowling, building with blocks and a toy chest.  Each game or level, builds upon each other as they learn to add up to 6, 10, and 15.  It is important to note that within each game, levels of difficulty will be adapted based on your child’s progress.

Level 1 – Add up to 6 is the introductory piece of the application as it encourages children to count and recognize numbers.  Poko and Minus will throw their bowling ball down the lane. It is your goal to tap/count each pin that was knocked over and to match its corresponding number at the bottom.  While learning to recognize numbers and count, users will also be reinforcing the concept of one to one correspondence which will be further developed in level 2.  Once a player succeeds in level 1, their treasure chest will be filled with Poko’s bowling shoes.

Level 2 – Add up to 10 is an extension to level 1.  Here the players need to build and combine blocks.  To challenge those in level 2, blocks are not moveable like the bowling pins, instead users will see numbers as a group.  Simply tap on the two piles, sometimes more, add them together and match its number at the bottom.  When that number is selected, the two or more piles will organize in a neat arrangement or mathematical array. With a players success, users will add to their treasure chest by collecting the horse and knight.

Level 3 – Add up to 15 introduces the user to a variety of mathematical vocabulary (language development) and symbols as it is used in a number sentence.  Poko needs to find Minus’ ball under the rug.  To do that, players need to move the toys that Poko is thinking about.  As those toys are tapped, numbers will appear on either side of the plus symbol and it your goal to find the sum. Mathematical reinforcement does not stop there, as an added bonus, the developers visually and orally explain each part of the number sentence through flash animation. Again, with success comes another object to add to your treasure chest.  

Even as the treasure chest is filled with the bowling shoes, horse and knight and the beach ball, learning can continue. Randomly, numbers are selected or mathematical sentences are built which can change, reinforce and extend the learning and yes even more fun for your little to have.  If you have preschool or kindergarten aged children or students, then iLearn With Poko: Addition is applicable to you!  For children just learning to add, iLearn With Poko: Addition will take them through all the mathematical phases of this concept. This educational app not only “covers” those necessary standards but it is then truly comprehended.  If you would like to learn more about Tribal Nova, please visit their website here.  If Poko is just what you need for your home or school setting, then begin downloading iLearn With Poko: Addition from your iTunes library here. 

Reviewers website: www.applicable2u.wordpress.com

Numbers League by Applicable2U

 Numbers League
   by Bent Castle Software

EXTRA!!! EXTRA!!! Read all about it.  The streets of Infinity City are looking a little gloomy.  Why?  A “number “of villains are  on the loose.  For those that are intrigued by superheroes , it’s time to hero up with our friends from the Numbers League.  Originally a tabletop card game, Bent Castle Software has recently launched for the iPad device with an operating system 4.3 or later, the Numbers League.  With a comic book like feel, it is an educational app that encourages individuals to solve math problems strategically while working with a variety of numbers. In a very unusual way, users will design their own superheroes as a way to nab the villains before they take over Infinity City.  Whether you are 5 or 45, Numbers League will stimulate users both educationally and emotionally.

Upon entering, Applicable2U was immediately struck by the graphics presented.  The line up of our team of superheroes truly reminded me of the Super Friends or Super Hero Squad that my son adores.   There are several math apps currently categorized under Education that develop and reinforce the concept of numbers as it relates to the four operations (+, -, x and ÷).  What makes this application different from other operation apps?  Play can be done solely or with as many as four friends or family members. Watch out though as three robots of varying skill levels may also enter the game. Simply take on a secret identity in appearance and even your name and let the capture(s) begin.  With appropriate music and sound effects, users can play in dynamic, fast or simple mode.  In addition, hints and timers can be turned on or off which will assist all learning styles.   With a variety of game types such as: Minion, Sidekick, Hero, Hero Plus and Superhero, users will be challenged academically while having fun.

Regardless of game type, the streets, which can be viewed as your game board, are filled with numbered villains.   Unlike any other app, the math appears as superhero trading cards divided into three parts: head, body and legs.  Together these three pieces equal the total sum which should match a villain’s particular number.  As game play progresses, trading cards are  collected and can be combined to take down as many villains as possible. When building your unusually powered hero, parts can be locked into place as others are spun in order to obtain the necessary numbers.  Just keep in mind that this option of re-spinning can only occur twice within each round.  As a user succeeds and moves from Minion to Hero and beyond, additional features will be added which can guide or help ones strategy of play.

According to latest Infinity City Chronicle, Addiplication is the unstoppable force that all villains dread! Mathematically, how are you going to save the day?  Whether you are a parent, educator or home schooler, the Numbers League is very applicable to you! If you would like to learn more about Bent Castle Software please visit their website here.  In order to begin this incredible adventure and capture the interest of all types of learners through the support of ones imagination and mathematical strategy, then download Numbers League today from your  iTune library here.

Reviewers website: www.applicable2u.wordpress.com