App Reviews: Math and Early Education

By: Sue Stubbs, EC-SEAT Scholar

PBS Kids Measure Up

• Age Range Is this appropriate/recommended for the ages in my class? PBS Kids Measure Up App is recommended for the age range 3 to 5 years old.
• Usability Is it easy to use in the classroom? Can it be used independently? Is there an ease of instruction on how to use the app/site? PBS Kids Measure Up App is quick to upload each mini game in the app. It is easy to use and can be used independently with brief overview. It has arrows to notify one where to press. On the iPad it is easy to use the swipe of one’s finger.
• Graphics Quality Are the graphics appropriate for what is being taught? Do the graphics make sense academically? PBS Kids Measure Up App has 19 unique measuring games with graphics that coincide with measuring activities. The graphics are appropriate for the age range of this app and they are academically appropriate.
• DAP Does it coincide with the standards? Developmentally Appropriate Practice Does it coincide with the curriculum? Does it add value? Does it support math development? PBS Kids Measure Up App has 19 unique measuring games. It has 10 video clips that focus on measurement. One can receive rewards after completing tasks. It provides activities that coincide with the preschool curriculum and the TS Gold Standards. It focuses on measurement activities dealing with height. Activities include sorting from biggest to smallest and smallest to biggest.
• Appropriate Learning Curve Does it provide room for academic growth and add academic benefit? PBS Kids Measurement Up App has the ability to track the progress using the PBS KIDS Super Vision companion app. This app did not seem to have room for academic growth. It did not provide various levels of skills. Although this app has educational benefits to help initiate skills, it does not provide room to continue to grow these skills.
• Summary: The PBS Kids Measure Up App teaches early measurement concepts focused on length, capacity, weight, and width while going on an adventure to three different areas which include Crystal Caves, Treetop City, and Magna Peak. It is a fun interactive app, which is free.

http://mikeannearart.com/pbsmeasureup

Splash Math from Splash Learn

• Age Range Is this appropriate/recommended for the ages in my class? Splash Math App is for grades K to 5. The ages range are around ages 5 to 11. It may be appropriate for the older children in my preschool class and some of my four-year-olds with higher developmental skills.
• Usability Is it easy to use in the classroom? Can it be used independently? Is there ease of instruction on how to use the app/site? Splash Math is easy to use and access. It is free for a trial period and then you pay automatically for a subscription. The subscription can be canceled prior to the free trial ends.
• Graphics Quality Are the graphics appropriate for what is being taught? Do the graphics make sense academically? Splash Math is a very visual app. It is a great app for visual learners. The graphics do make sense academically.
• DAP Does it coincide with the standards? Developmentally Appropriate Practice Does it coincide with the curriculum? Does it add value? Does it support math development? Splash Math is a curriculum aligned math program. It is a comprehensive program that uses self-paced and adaptive practice. This app focuses on over 350 key math skills.
• Appropriate Learning Curve Does it provide room for academic growth and add academic benefit? Splash Math is a curriculum aligned math program. It is a comprehensive program that uses self-paced and adaptive practice. It provides room for academic growth.
• Summary: The Splash Math App is an interactive math app that is exciting and engaging for grades Kindergarten through Fifth grade. It is recommended to use this app 4 times a week for 30 minutes at a time to receive the most out of the program. It reinforces math skills with an adaptive and interactive math program, which allows for academic growth at one’s own pace.