Math Rider {A Review}

Math Rider is a fun way to master math facts.

Math Rider

 

The Essentials - What you need to know

• Company : Math Rider
• Age Range: grades 2-6
• A downloaded computer game that helps students master addition, subtraction, multiplication and division facts.  
• Price : $47

The Review

"Without a solid foundation in arithmetic, your child will find it very hard to thrive in today's world."  That is the main idea behind this delightful computer game.  It is a downloaded computer game.  You can find the system requirements for your computer on the Math Rider website.  It was easy to download and install on my computer.  The set up was simple and the game play was very intuitive.

The user goes on quests, a different quest for each mathematical operation (add, subtract, multiply and divide).  Each quest is also divided into four sections based on difficultly, easy, medium, hard and master level.   There is a narrated story at the beginning of each quest.  The user is sent through the Mathlands to find something that solves a real problem.  For instance, in one of the quests the user's mother is ill and the brave user must procure a medicine that will help her mother get better.  The user rides her horse through the math forest solving the basic math problems that are obstacles for the horse as they go along.  The rider is rewarded for accuracy and speed. There is a map that shows the progress for each quest.  At the end of the quest the user is rewarded.  The rewards, flowers and gems, are kept on the first page so the student is reminded of their successes right away when she logs into the game.  The game is designed with intelligent software which analyses each response and non-response by the user.  This means that students practice math problems they need to practice.

Here is the best review I can give any product:  My daughter asks to play this game.  After several weeks she is still asking to play this game.  Not because it drills math problems, but because she wants to finish the quests and master the game. For someone who loves to play video games this was a perfect match.  I am thrilled because she is cementing those ever important math facts in her brain as she drills on them every day.   I would highly recommend this game.  In addition to children who are just learning math fact, I would recommend this game for anyone who may need remedial help with math problems.  It drills math problems without being boring or patronizing.

If you would like to try this game, the Math Rider website offers a free, full featured 7 day trial.  Check it out!