american_mama
09-05-2011, 03:22 PM
Does anyone have experience with computerized math instructions, especially two programs/curriculums called M Cubed (M to the 3rd power) and Pangea? One or both are used in the gifted and talented centers in Fairfax County. These were options my DD1's school offered to us because she is a grade ahead in math. A third option, less familiar, was a Johns Hopkins gifted and talent math program for elementary students, which I think is also computerized. She's in the last grade at her school, so there is no older class to put her in. The non-computerized option is busing her to the school with 5th grade for math.
If you know anything about any of these computer programs, can you tell me about it? Our district math team gave me brief descriptions of the M Cubed and Pangea, but the programs blend together in my mind. I am interested in whether a computerized program would allow a student to go above and beyond what a classroom would, due to the ability to work at your own pace, target instruction, depth of material possible with computers, and, lastly, build off of children's natural fascination with computers.
But I also wonder how good was the computerized instruction and what in-person instruction was given to supplement your child, if they used it? I understand there is something like different skill levels within the program that a child can strive for (practitioner vs. expert mathematician, for instance) which is supposed to motivate a child to seek the highest level. I also understand that one of the programs has a competitive element that is also motivational, so a child can interact with a wider network of math peers than just those in his or her classroom. How does that work? If your child used it, was it implemented in a group/class setting or was it used by just one child?
Any help or input would be appreciated, as would suggestions of what details to ask about the computer instruction. I really don't have a clear picture of how they would implement that. We have to decide soon, because if we chose the busing option, she'll have missed almost three weeks of class by the time that is in place.
If you know anything about any of these computer programs, can you tell me about it? Our district math team gave me brief descriptions of the M Cubed and Pangea, but the programs blend together in my mind. I am interested in whether a computerized program would allow a student to go above and beyond what a classroom would, due to the ability to work at your own pace, target instruction, depth of material possible with computers, and, lastly, build off of children's natural fascination with computers.
But I also wonder how good was the computerized instruction and what in-person instruction was given to supplement your child, if they used it? I understand there is something like different skill levels within the program that a child can strive for (practitioner vs. expert mathematician, for instance) which is supposed to motivate a child to seek the highest level. I also understand that one of the programs has a competitive element that is also motivational, so a child can interact with a wider network of math peers than just those in his or her classroom. How does that work? If your child used it, was it implemented in a group/class setting or was it used by just one child?
Any help or input would be appreciated, as would suggestions of what details to ask about the computer instruction. I really don't have a clear picture of how they would implement that. We have to decide soon, because if we chose the busing option, she'll have missed almost three weeks of class by the time that is in place.