Monday, December 17, 2012

Tech Tips: XtraMath

Tech Tips
Issue 8

This Tech Tip will look at a fantastic web site for basic math facts.  www.xtramath.org is similar to Rocket Math without all the copies and teacher scoring, and it generates detailed reports for teachers, students, and parents.  Best of all…it is FREE!   This is a great tool for practicing and recording basic math facts in the classroom.


What Are the Benefits of Xtramath?

Overview: www.XtraMath.org is a great site to practice basic math facts.  It is similar to Roocket Math but can be done on the classroom computers or iPads and manages student progress for teachers and parents.  This is a free service that coud easily replace Rocket Math in the classroom for daily/weekly math facts practice.  Check out the overvew at http://vimeo.com/19402897.

Student Activities:  The way Xtramath is set up is very student centered.  Students can access the site on a classroom computer or iPad and practice basic math facts.  The program continues from where they left off or what facts a student may need to study.  It allows an easy classroom management proceedure for sharing limited classroom computers (or iPads).  For more details check out the video at http://vimeo.com/19411308 to see how XtraMath does this.

For Parents:  Parents are even able to access their child’s progress through XtraMath.  They can receive detailed reports in their email inbox if they choose or log in to the site to view their child’s progress.  This is a great way to keep parents up to date with their child’s basic math facts skills.

Progress Reports: XtraMath does all the work for teachers!  When students progress through basic facts, the program generates detailed reports for staff.  There is no more need for teachers to grade all the practice sheets, record student progress, and progress students though a system of paperwork to proactice the needed facts.  XtraMath does all this for you with easy to read graphs, charts, and fact grids that show student progress.  Check out what the reports look like at http://vimeo.com/19411733

Visit XtraMath to get started:  http://www.xtramath.org