Website of Ms. Lew
Website Evaluation Form Title: XPMath Producer: T.L Hui Internet Address: xpmath.com Grade Level: 5-9 Subject Area: Math Reviewed by: Lilly Lew Website Description: This website contains games covering numbers and operations, algebra, geometry, measurement and probability. The purpose of the game is for the player to complete as many practice problems in 60 seconds as possible. The game begins when the player starts the clock. Once the 60 second clock is started, the website generates practice problems for the chosen mathematical strand. The player types their answer in the indicated field and clicks the ENTER key to submit their solution. The process repeats until the 60 seconds has elapsed. The website provides instant feedback and informs the player which answer is incorrect and provides the correct answer. The player is then provided an accuracy score (number of correct answers/the number of examples provided). Once the game set is complete, the player has an option to submit their score to the website. If the player chooses to submit their score, they are provided their rank amongst others who have played that same game. The website also offers homework help, problem of the week, challenge problems, opportunities to blog and resource such as video, worksheets and e-books. The website also connects these seemingly isolated skills to the real world by offering information on math related career fields. Accuracy of Content: The content is mathematically accurate and is aligned with a number of Connecticut State Frameworks under Numerical and Proportional Reasoning, Algebraic Reasoning and Geometry and Measurement and Working with Data. Technical Quality: The website has effective sound effects, vibrant colors and well organized toolbars. The sound effects are entertaining and kid friendly. There are different sounds for correct and incorrect answers. For example, there is a game called “Homer’s Donut” where the player is asked to identify the location of Homer’s Donut on a coordinate plane using ordered pairs. If the student correctly identifies the coordinate Homer yells “Woo Hoo!” and if the player incorrectly identifies the coordinate Homer yells “Doh!”. In addition to this there is a “tick tick” of the timer, warning sounds as time begins to run out and a buzzer to indicate that time is up. There are four broad choices on the toolbar labeled Math Games, Math Careers, Math Forums and Math Resources. This form of organization clearly states the objectives of the website. The search for games is easy in the sense that they are separated by math strands, identified with picture icons and rated on a 5 star scale. The website uses relevant images related to the mathematical topics such as dice for probability and shapes for geometry, however there is no animation in the website which could be an option to reinforce concepts. Use of Technology: The website includes blogs and discussion forums which are current forms of technology that allow students to have a unique voice in the math community. There are links to obtain e-books and videos; however, the need to download large files is time consuming. The use of streaming video and html documents would benefit parents, teachers and students who wish to use the recommended resources. Role of Students: The role of the student is to act as a “player” in the interactive math game and keep track of their progress. Students need to maintain a log of their scores in order to monitor their individual achievement. Even though it is the teacher’s role to asses, it is important that students learn how to be reflective in their own learning process. Role of Teacher: The role of the teacher is to provide a context for the skills reinforced on xpmath.com through an interactive and engaging lesson. Once the teacher has introduced the topic, he/she must familiarize the classroom with rules for appropriate usage of the website and provide a method for students to record, monitor and reflect on their individual progress. Teachers may use the scores derived from the website as a means of informal assessment to modify and adjust their lesson to meet student needs. Classroom Usage: This website can use used to reinforce concepts reviewed in the classroom as they do align with CT State Standards. This website would work well as a warm up, an enrichment activity or practice for struggling students. Critical Summary: The website offers a fun alternative for students to practice their skills in math with instant feedback. There are resources for parents, teachers and students which sends a message to the users about the importance of everyone’s role in a child’s success in academics. In a broad context the website is very valuable with respect to offering practice and resources such as ebooks and videos of a wide range of topics. Even though the website covers many topics, the resources offered for each topic is limited. Overall Rating (on a scale of 1 to 10): 8 Explanation of Rating: I think the website could be a ten if it added “Easy”, “Medium” and “Hard” levels of difficulty for each topic to help differentiate for varying ability levels. Also, corrective feedback other than just providing the correct answer such links to tutorials would be ideal.
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©Lilly Lew | lillylew@hotmail.com |Last Revised December 1, 2009