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? Well many people use it that way and some choose to supplement. We added revision in high school using Alboe.
Just the other day my high school 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
Hi MIchelle,
Can I receive an email when my child has finished a workbook or can I easily log on and find the workbooks or worksheets that they’ve completed on a particular day with a mark against it? I.e. an easy way to track their progress.
Thank you.
They send you a weekly email and a certificate as each section is completed.
How would I teach times tables? I never learnt them properly myself so I couldn’t practice or do races like you have mentioned doing with your son.
There are speed kills tests with math online as well.
I was treated very badly by one of the mathsonline team members because I asked too many question and I was not a member. At first she answered a few of my questions but i wanted to know how you can learn more with only 10 question per topic? I never got a proper response and she told me to stop sending emails of which I felt very offender as i just wanted to know before I pay for the service. Never got treated this badly from any customer support here in Australia. I can buy a maths software that can generate many types of questions so you can keep practicing your skills in algebra for example. So i like to know from others how can you progress with so little questions to practice on?
This is what I received just to know more before I pay?
Can you please stop sending emails – as you have stated in your email you are not a membership and you are wasting my time.
Hi Michelle,
when you say that you combine Maths Online with your bookwork maths program, what bookwork program do you use with MO please?
We use some drill books- practicing skills like times tables and revision. I have used some Saxon Math tests and worksheets in the early years and we also have ALBOA for Year 7 and 8.
Thanks for this clear review and link to the discounted price, Michelle! I think at least one of my children would particularly like this program if I decide to try it when our under-utilised Studyladder subscription expires.
I also have a subscription to another online program that I will be giving up this year because it was under-utilised. I must confess I’ve never used study ladder.