Spotlight on Kids' Software
by Tina Velgos
"Back to Basics" Math Software wins the Gold!
Gold Medal Math is destined to be a math classic for kids in grades 2-6 and is worth its weight in gold. So, let the Games begin!
If you believe that learning basic math skills such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division are important foundations for children, you're right.
My second grader's math program at school includes time tests where kids solve math problems on a sheet of paper in one minute. It's pretty tedious, yet everyone takes it seriously.
However, if your child is intimidated by time tests, needs to boost his/her confidence levels, or needs additional challenges in math, this is the software you've been looking for.
Playing this multi-level software is a great way for kids in grades 2 - 6 to learn how to answer math problems quickly while providing great practice for math time tests. Best of all, this multimedia CD-ROM lets kids play the games in a terrific sports-oriented setting, making math fun & exciting!
With a little imagination, it almost feels like students are "mathletes" and are going for the gold while participating in these Winter and Summer games. Although the graphics and sound effects aren't cutting edge, they hit the mark. Kids enjoy watching their "mathlete" make an awesome dive, or ski with record precision, although the ice skating performance doesn't flow as well as it could and seemed a little stiff.
A neat feature this program offers is that children can sign in and select whether they will be competing as a male or female "mathlete" and the country they wish to represent. The country's flag, along with the child's name, is entered into the program.
Kids can participate in 10 math events including the Long Jump, Gymnastics, Diving, Javelin and Pole Vault, the 90m Ski Jump, Figure Skating, Downhill Skiing, Snowboarding and Bobsledding.
When your child is finished with either Practice or Challenge mode, a cool 3-D robotic-style animation begins as the "mathlete" navigates a bobsled down a narrow chute, nails a perfect 10 in gymnastics or perhaps, sets a world record in diving. Keep in mind that a less than stellar math performance could make for a less powerful performance in the Games. A good incentive to get those math problems correct!
A couple of corny commentators throw in enough school humor to make this software entertaining for elementary-age kids. Fortunately, the narration is well-done and not obnoxious.
What's important in this program is the scoring and extensive record-keeping for multiple students. To qualify for each event, kids need to successfully answer 75% or more of the problems. If more than 10 problems are answered incorrectly during the one minute Challenge Mode, for instance, the game stops and gives students a chance to correct their errors.
Kids also learn their percentages after each event (for instance, you scored 100 percent because you solved all 35 problems correctly). Five points are earned for correct problems, but kids get a second chance to earn two points for problems they missed after the event is over.
Children enjoy seeing their name along with their scores. This software would lend well in the classroom, home-school or home as it would be easy to integrate this program into current math curriculum, especially in traditional schools.
Developed by a group of elementary math teachers, Gold Medal Math makes the grade. By blending math with the competitive spirit of Olympic-styled games, this multimedia software is destined to be a software classic.
