| In every math class, there are those students | | | | who struggle in subjects, especially math, are |
| who just don't seem to be able to grasp the | | | | embarrassed about their difficulties. If you were |
| concepts. Some of them outright hate math. How | | | | to play a group practice game or ask them to |
| can these students be reached? One technique | | | | answer questions orally, they might be too |
| that can work to motivate students is with | | | | embarrassed to try their best. On the computer, |
| interactive math games that they play at their | | | | however, these students are not faced with their |
| own pace. | | | | peers. They can progress through the math |
| Math games do not replace the need for a | | | | games at their own level, gaining valuable practice |
| teacher. There is nothing that educational | | | | each day. |
| software can teach in math that can be taught | | | | As you are shopping for math games, you need |
| without a teacher. Math is one of those subjects | | | | to realize that there is a wide range of products |
| that really requires an instructor. However, math | | | | available. You will still be able to find traditional |
| games can be used to reinforce and reward in | | | | math games. These are the games where |
| the math classroom. | | | | students practice their basic facts with arcade-like |
| Imagine if you are teaching junior high math and | | | | programming. But, math games are no longer only |
| realize that some of your students do not know | | | | the arcade-style games you may remember. You |
| how to add and subtract. If you have to take | | | | can find software that contains your students' |
| valuable class time to teach these basic | | | | favorite cartoon or movie characters. As they |
| elementary math skills, the rest of your students | | | | move through the levels they must answer math |
| will suffer. However, if this student group is not | | | | questions to proceed. Some math game software |
| able to do simple addition or subtraction, they are | | | | keeps track of the student's progress and |
| going to struggle all year. One way to encourage | | | | personalizes the lessons. Students advance levels |
| them to practice in a fun, competitive way | | | | once they've reached competency on skills being |
| without detracting from the overall class is to | | | | worked on. Some math games have features |
| allow them to play math games. Perhaps devote | | | | that encourage and build analytical skills, problem |
| the last 10 minutes of the class to free time. | | | | approach, logic and systematic thinking. While your |
| Students that are working at grade level can get | | | | students may not realize this is math, you know |
| a jump-start on their homework assignments, and | | | | that these thinking skills are essential to finding |
| students who need extra practice can play math | | | | success in the subject. You can even purchase |
| games. You can set up the math games so that | | | | mystery programs where the students act as |
| they focus on the areas the students need to | | | | detectives solving "math mysteries." |
| practice. You can make random groups and | | | | Whatever program you decide to use in your |
| rotate them so all of your students get a chance | | | | math classroom, be sure to set aside time when |
| to play during the week. This way, certain | | | | the students can play math games. Everyone, |
| students are not identified and all students receive | | | | from gifted students to those who struggle, can |
| important practice. | | | | benefit from playing with numbers, and the |
| One benefit of math games that is often | | | | computer is a great way to make this happen. |
| overlooked is the fact that the students are | | | | With math games, math can become a little bit |
| working independently. Sometimes those students | | | | more fun for everyone. |