When I look for a math curriculum I’m looking for a few things:
- Is it easy for my child to use? Is it well laid-out?
- Will my child feel like they are successful in math?
- Does the resource explain things well?
- How much help will I need to give them?
- Is it sequential? Can my child easily follow what is coming next?
- Does it fit well with the Australian curriculum? Does it use metric?
- Can I see progress with my child?
- Can I set the lesson times?
- Does it have drill?
- Is there revision?
This year I’ve been combining Math Online with my bookwork math curriculum and I can tell you Math Online meets all my requirements in the above list.
Often I find when I tutor my children in math I can help a little too much. I’m often aware that I raced them through the steps and they didn’t get it. With Math Online this isn’t a problem because I can set activities and I can walk away, knowing that the explanations are given clearly.
Another thing I love about Math Online is that the built in incentives to do well are not a distraction to the lesson. Some online math programs have so many rewards for the child that they spend most of their time playing with the rewards and not actually learning much. With another online program I noticed my kids were sitting at an easy level just earning points and not even trying to improve.
Assessing progress is also done easily, even if you don’t join. When you use the trial version you can do little topic tests and see where your child is up to. When doing this I realised I hadn’t taught 24 hour time or Roman numerals. You can also quickly work through lessons seeing if your child understands a concept or if they need more work. This is great for remedial work or if you want to fast track your child.
Could Math Online be used as a complete math program? I asked Patrick Murray, its founder, this question. He said that Math Online was never intended to be a complete math program but rather a supplement. He also mentioned that the primary Math Online program is very comprehensive and would cover most things that an average math student would need to know. I asked him if he could suggest a math program to use with Math Online and he didn’t have a particular recommendation.
Just the other day my highschool son was studying for a math test and he wanted to know about polynomials and surds (I had no idea) , so we looked it up in the math online search box and listened to the explanation. I couldn’t believe it—I even understood the explanation. My son commented that he finds the Math Online tutorials so easy to understand.
So if you are considering using Math online in your homeschool you can buy a special math online homeschoolers package (60 % off the regular price) that will include all of your children. You can find it here!
I hope you found this review helpful. Michelle
NOV
2012
About the Author:
Michelle Morrow is an author & publisher of homeschooling books and resources. She can be found at homeschoolingdownunder.com. Her experience as a homeschool mum mean that she understands what works (and what doesn't) in the homeschool. She wants to help homeschoolers to homeschool. Her resources, advice and curriculum ideas are there to make homeschooling easier.