I’m currently spending quite a lot of my evening helping my son with his homework. Part of that is maths, and things have either changed a lot since I was at school or I’m just incredibly rusty. I’m perhaps the lazy one, not my son. I pick up a calculator and use that, but kids have to actually understand the calculations and show how things get worked out.
Learning maths can be daunting and stressful but over recent years a whole plethora of great apps and educational resources have popped up online. Plus, as they’re on the “magical” tablet or smartphone, you’re child will probably take a much keener interest in them than traditional pen-and-paper. Here’s a few of the resources available across browsers, iOS and Android devices.
CONQUER MATHS
The Conquer Maths website works as your 24 hour personal maths teacher. It’s great for people of all ages and learning levels and boasts numerous tests and activities to get involved in as well as special video tutorials that will help you understand certain elements of the maths curriculum a little better. Plus, it’s UK based, which is great. I found quite a lot of US resources out there which didn’t necessarily fit in with the learning he’s doing at school.
ODDS & STATISTICS
Many kids wonder how maths skills translate into valuable attributes for everyday life. When you grow up you’ll realise and it’ll all click into place. Of course, if you get really good at odds and statistics you can perhaps do a James Bond Casino Royale trick and earn cash using some of the best online roulette games.
DOODLE MATHS
Available for both Android and iPhone in both 7-11 and kids aged over 12, this is a great way to get to grips with your calculations. There’s local versions for the UK and America and will help boost confidence and will identify strengths and weaknesses. There’s in-app purchases that you will need to be aware of, but this is an app designed by teachers themselves.
OPERATION MATH
Operation Math includes over 100 special timed mathematical missions that will help you to improve your ability to add, subtract, divide and multiply which acts as a great way in which to supplement your classroom learning. Whilst this neat little mathematical app may fail slightly on its ability to help you learn from mistakes– as it doesn’t give advice when you get something wrong– the fun factor will help keep budding mathematicians coming back for more.