Peer Review

iPracticeMath

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Reviewed:: Aug 7, 2015 by Teacher Education

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Ratings

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Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

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Overview:: iPracticeMath is a web-based educational tool that provides math practice for students in grades 1 through 12. The website includes written lessons in math topics such as Basic Math, Fractions, Algebra, Consumer Math, Statistics, Decimals, Calculus, and Integers. Opportunities to practice math are provided through online math problems as well as worksheets that may be either printed or solved online. The website also offers tools to track users’ progress and create certificates to reward and motivate students. Registration and Cost (July 27, 2015) Users may register with iPracticeMath as a student, parent, home tutor, teacher or school administrator. Registration is free for students as well as for parents, home tutors, and teachers with limits on the number of children that may be enrolled. School administrator accounts offer a free trial period only.
Type of Material:: Tutorial, quiz/test, assignment tool
Recommended Uses:: Homework, individual practice for students at levels K-9 This would also be a great refresher for student teachers preparing for their practicum.
Technical Requirements:: Tested on iPad, iPhone and computer.
Identify Major Learning Goals:: Students will be able to: • Learn about and practice a variety of math topics related to Basic Math, Fractions, Algebra, Consumer Math, Statistics, Decimals, Calculus, and Integers. • Assess and monitor their mastery of individual math skills through online quizzing and testing.
Target Student Population:: 1st through 12th grade math students; those wanting or needing reinforcement in math concepts.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:: Basic computer / web browsing skills, ability to read through online instructions

Content Quality

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Strengths:: • The learning material covers a large number of math topics. • Math lessons are written in simple language with examples provided. • Examples offer visual representations of concepts described in text. The site provides immediate feedback.
Concerns:: • Under the “Why Us” section different “facts” about math education are listed but not backed up by scholarly sources.

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

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Strengths:: • The math topics are organized progressively by grade level / complexity within each topic. • Math practice and worksheets are broken down into specific math concepts that are aligned with Common Core skill sets. • Math practice problems offer instant correct / incorrect feedback to guide learning.
Concerns:: • It would be clearer if learning objectives were listed in each lesson. Instead, titles and subtitles are used to indicate math topics to be learned. • The user must scroll down to the text below the listed math practice topics to read about the prerequisite skills needed or when learning about a given math topic is recommended.

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

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Strengths:: • The website loads quickly. • The website has a clean design with a simple layout and an easy to read font and colors. • The learning material is accessible to low vision users. It responds well to the View / Zoom menu options in Internet Explorer 11 by rescaling the content without cutting it off of the screen.
Concerns:: The website and learning materials are made up of text and visuals. It would be more engaging if other forms of media such as videos and animations were incorporated. Types of opportunities for interaction are limited. The learning material would be more interactive if a wider variety of interactive problem types (i.e. drag and drop, hot spot) and learning media were included. When you make a mistake one of the stars you earned for a correct answer is erased.

Other Issues and Comments:: • The authors note that the website is based on responsive design and will therefore work on devices such as smartphones and tables. • The authors state that the website supports the latest version of all major browsers.
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