Sumdog

[LittleGlowingOblong]

My P2 child came home today with a QR coded access to Sumdog, which I’d never seen before.

I can see the benefits of gameifying numeracy, but as someone who is ADHD-esque and who struggles with problematic screen over-use (hence username) my knee jerk reaction is to feel aghast that the school is actively introducing learning-by-tiny-hits-of-dopamine at such a young age.

But this is just my reflex and uninformed view. Does anyone have any more experience of this evidence-based insights? I know it’s supposed to help improve fluency in numeracy.

One of my child's school uses sum dog. I hate it. We are not a gaming family. We don't have any consoles. It is too much like a game.

My other child school uses my maths. It is so good. Have suggested it many times.

As a teacher, I have many children who love sumdog because it’s game like. It helps motivate many children to participate with numeracy.

Parents have previously said they prefer homework to be Sumdog based as it’s easier trying to get their children to complete work.

All my homework now is computer based. It’s sent out on google classroom and can either be submitted by jotter or a word doc/ google doc. This has been on the feedback of some parents finding it easier to get children to complete work if they think they are doing it on their tablets/ computers.

I think it can be useful but you could always substitute screen time with something else if need be.

My ds uses it and has done for years. We’re p6 now. I like it. He will sometimes do it just for fun and we have no issues persuading him to do the challenges set.
but then I don’t believe in “sit at a desk” homework in the evenings for primary children anyway. He gets home at 5 from after school club and we all try not to work in the evenings. I accept he’ll have to for a few years at secondary school to pass his exams but I don’t want him to have to at primary age.

I don’t have experience with this specific app, but our school provide access to similar apps for spelling, phonics and maths. Some are recommended to supplement homework, others are used in class as a bit of a reward on occasion.

my perspective is that these games are sometimes a helpful supplement to written and hands on learning. It shouldn’t replace other learning experiences, but in small doses they can be quite useful in presenting learning in a new and different way. Spelling, for example - mine have the standard read/cover/ check written exercises and optionally also have access to a spelling game app. Mine do much better on their spelling quiz when they do both than when they do one method only.

that said, you know your kids. Mine enjoy the odd bit of screen time on weekends, which includes access to a variety of age appropriate educational games. I don’t really need to police it beyond a few basic rules, and while they enjoy the games, they don’t show any signs of fixation - it is one toy among many, and not even close to their favourite. Other children develop much more of a fixation with screens and games, and I can see how it might become a problem depending on personality.

It's an engaging resource, I think you need to put your prejudices against gaming aside.