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AIBU?

To think Mathletics is a waste of time?

16 replies

Dancergirl · 15/11/2016 21:51

Dd is in Year 5. As well as written Maths and English homework they also get work set on Mathletics. I hate it and think it's of very little educational value but children like it because it's screen based and therefore 'fun'.

Firstly children tend not to do just the set work. You can play games, create a profile which they can play with, play against other children etc. I think it's just another pointless screen based activity disguised as Maths homework.

Secondly it does not teach them how to set their work out and show their workings out. Today dd had to write bits down so she wouldn't forget the numbers before entering her answer on the screen. So why can't they just do it on paper in the first place??

Lastly, whilst it's supposed to be looked at by teachers, there is no 'marking' or feedback for the children to learn from. They submit their work and then it's forgotten about.

AIBU?

OP posts:

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megletthesecond · 15/11/2016 21:55

I've paid for it at home because school don't do it. DD spends way too much time dicking around with her profile pic, tbh I don't even ask her to use it anymore. DS is pretty good, he occasionally beasts it and gets into the UK / world top 20, it's good for school holidays. I do have to tell him to work it out on paper though.

minionsrule · 15/11/2016 21:57

But is it not classed as 'mental maths' where they work out the answer in their head and not write it down - it helps with speed of calculation - I personally think it is a good thing, its just additional practice and I thought they got the scores there and then so they know how they did - not everything has to be picked apart by a teacher?

Dancergirl · 15/11/2016 22:00

DD spends way too much time dicking around with her profile pic

Exactly. And this is endorsed by the school as 'homework'.

OP posts:

MovingOnUpMovingOnOut · 15/11/2016 22:04

It is scored and marked instantly so no need to mark it again. It also adjusts to reflect the child's ability by getting easier/harder.

Teachers should be keeping an eye on what is being done.

If you use the app on a tablet they can't dick about with their profile picture.

Personally so long as it's not being used as a substitute but as an additional extra I'm all for it.

ATruthUniversallyAcknowledged · 15/11/2016 22:05

My son is only in year 1 but we LOVE mathletics. Since signing up he has wanted to do homework / extra maths. He thrives on the competition. I can see how it might be less useful in the future, but for now, YABU.

minionsrule · 15/11/2016 22:09

I should have also said that it probably engages kids to do more maths if they are not really keen on the subject if it is an app - its just a different way to engage them. As long as they are also being formally taught the same things the app asks them then I don't see what the problem is

Dancergirl · 15/11/2016 22:55

I suppose the problem for us is it's just ANOTHER thing to get done. We don't get home till nearly 4.30pm, there is other homework other than Mathletics plus dd's dance classes etc. If we had more time it wouldn't be so much of a problem but primary aged children get so much homework these days, it's just something else to do.

OP posts:

MovingOnUpMovingOnOut · 15/11/2016 23:00

Well that's nothing but to do with Mathletics really is it?

Fwiw I would like to some real data and impact analysis rather than just "the children seem to like it".

Dancergirl · 15/11/2016 23:02

It is moving because like any other screen based activity, it's addictive! So wastes time.

OP posts:

bumblebeetuna · 15/11/2016 23:05

All my children have used it, they do the homework and THEN try to get the top score in their class....

BlackeyedSusan · 15/11/2016 23:23

well, who would know if it was dd behind the keyboard or not?

Ohyesiam · 15/11/2016 23:36

My son has difficulty with maths, and magnetics had helped, first in his confidence, and now in his ability. Repetition is very valuable in maths, they Just need to get stuck in and practice. It is a good adjunct to being taught.
That said my kids school gives very little other home work till year 6.

Ohyesiam · 15/11/2016 23:36

My son has difficulty with maths, and magnetics had helped, first in his confidence, and now in his ability. Repetition is very valuable in maths, they Just need to get stuck in and practice. It is a good adjunct to being taught.
That said my kids school gives very little other home work till year 6.

adc1235431 · 28/02/2019 04:49

I'm a student in school, in my opinion, Mathletics is simply a waste of time, a lot of the questions I get wrong are Mathletics fault, (because they're correct, but mathletics decides if you are wrong or right if it's two questions in one) and then simply kids get "yelled" at by their teachers for getting the questions wrong, Mathletics is a terrible site in my opinion, and sadly a lot of schools have to use it, with kids piled up with the homework kids don't understand / nor learn anything from the activities.

my2bundles · 28/02/2019 05:16

My son enjoyed it untill year 3 then found it babyish. Luckily his school don't set it as homework it's optional.

MoominMamaBear · 28/02/2019 10:23

DS is in Year 1 and has homework set once a week on Mathletics. I find it a terrible clunky site. The only saving grace is that the games are locked until they’ve completed the set work.

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