Teachley: Mt. Multiplis
© 2014 Teachley, LLC
While this math drill app doesn't have the sexiest interface, the underlying pedagogy behind the problems is solid, useful and quite classroom friendly. Designed to "teach complex multiplication strategies" to children in 3rd-5th grades, the maze-like reward system asks you rebuild bridges that have been blown away in a storm on Mt. Multiplis. The more math problems you complete, the more gems you earn and the more bridges you build. Because each bridge consists of a brick-like grid, you use the math facts to calculate the area, seeing commutative and distributive properties and visualizing how a problem like 7 x 8 is the same as 5 groups of 8 plus 2 more groups of 8. According to the PR materials, this "builds conceptual understanding, efficiency with multiplication strategies, and fact fluency." The app was funded by the Federal Department of Education, with funding provided by the Institute of Education Sciences' SBIR program. It was constructed in Unity. Progress for one child is saved automatically.
iPad (682 MB)
Teaches: math facts, multiplication, area
CTR Rating: 88%