Peer Review

DragonBox+ App for iOS

Material Detail page

Reviewed:: Jan 1, 2016 by Teacher Education

Bookmark

Ratings

Overall Rating:

Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

Ease of Use:

Overview:: Dragonbox algebra app is a game geared toward a wide ranging age group (including much of elementary and middle school). Because it’s so engaging, it could be used by high school or adult learners as well. The game is centered around algebraic concepts, but is presented in a fun and engaging format. For instance, in chapter one you learn to isolate items one two cards (two sides of the iPad) so that one side has only one box. In algebra, the equivalent here is isolating the variable. This app was downloaded on my iPad in December 2015 at a cost of $4.99.
Type of Material:: Drill and Practice, app
Recommended Uses:: • This app could be used as an in-class activity, both as work or as a reward • This app could be used as homework or practice • This app would be appropriate for homeschoolers, or for parents who want to give their children something fun and educational to do.
Technical Requirements:: Compatibility: Requires iOS 4.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4s, iPhone 5, iPhone 5c, iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPad, iPod touch (3rd generation), iPod touch (4th generation), iPod touch (5th generation), and iPod touch (6th generation). Also available for Android.
Identify Major Learning Goals:: 1. Solve algebraic problems in a game atmosphere. 2. Isolate the box by eliminating unnecessary elements 3. Perform game tasks in as few steps as possible.
Target Student Population:: • App targets students in grades K-9, but could be used with a much wider range.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:: • Users should be familiar with the device they are using • Basic skills of matching and following directions are important • Users should be able to read the instructions to the game levels or should be guided by someone else who can the read the instructions for them.

Content Quality

Rating:
Strengths:: • This app is well-designed in terms of visual appeal, engagement, interactivity, feedback, and pedagogical application. • Short activities and clear divisions in chapters make the app a flexible tool in terms of time and completion of task
Concerns:: The price may be a deterrent for some classrooms.

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating:
Strengths:: • While a lack of learning objectives would normally be a major downfall for a learning object, in this case it’s appropriate. The idea that this app is so much fun without appearing to be a math lesson is one of its best attributes. • Feedback in the form of graphics and sounds as well as a three point star system for each level within each chapter allows the user to track progress and potentially challenge him or herself in future attempts at each level.

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:
Strengths:: • Visually appealing • Highly interactive, including immediate, engaging feedback • Clear instructions make this app easy to use and to navigate • Available on iOs and Android • The ability to create several avatars means that you can have several users on the same app, and each can track his or her own progress.
Concerns:: Navigation could be improved: if the incorrect answer is chosen, the user cannot move forward and there are no hints as to how to answer correctly. This is especially frustrating when the user just doesn’t get it. Also the online version of the game would not play in Firefox. A brief overview explaining how to “play” the game would be helpful. Also since this is supposed to be a learning experience (as opposed to a game), after a number of incorrect moves the user should be able to get a hint of how to proceed.

Other Issues and Comments:: To avoid paying the fee, teachers can test the game out by going to the website and requesting access to the web version of the game.
Creative Commons: