The pandemic and the ever-increasing focus on digital technologies are changing the ways children learn. “Our collective experiences of remote schooling offer a fleeting opportunity for schools to think more imaginatively about what ‘digital education’ might look like in the future,” Phys.org writes.
While teachers may have dismissed mobile apps and learning games too quickly in the past many educators are now lauding their merits, especially when it comes to math games for kids. Learn about the undeniable perks that won them over.
Games Increase Engagement
Unfortunately, too many children struggle with math. In fact, according to EzineArticles.com, “Most children consider math to be the hardest subject in school.” Further, a shocking 617 million elementary, middle school, and high school students are not meeting minimum competency levels at main subjects, like reading and math.
Learning games, like free online math games, are shifting the ways children think about math and other difficult subjects in critical ways.
Perhaps most importantly, these apps are changing the age-old narrative that math is boring. The fact is that traditional, black-and-white 3rd grade math worksheets do not pique children’s interest. Instead, they often intimidate students and make it more difficult for them to focus on the task at hand.
By contrast, games make learning fun with compelling storylines and active play. Learning from an app is novel and interesting. Children need to demonstrate their understanding of math to proceed, but playing does not feel like a chore that they must power through with gritted teeth.
Learning Games Are Motivating
Another major problem with the traditional methods of teaching math is that they are so dull that kids don’t want to do them. In order to get a firm grip on many mathematical concepts, children need practice. Most children do not want to take part in rote learning nor do they want to complete workbook pages for hours at a time. That is where learning games come in.
Learning games are fun. If that isn’t motivation enough, there are aspects of these games that make them inherently motivating. For example, games may include levels, achievements, rewards, and other items and accolades that are earned. Kids keep engaging with the lessons to earn them. Along the same lines, children may be motivated by competing with their classmates to beat more levels or earn a higher school as well.
Learning Apps Invite Sharing
While children may isolate themselves to complete traditional homework assignments, learning games promote sharing and being social. When actively engaging in these games, children are much more likely to talk to their friends about their lessons, parents are more likely to take interest in kids’ homework, and kids are more likely to discuss math concepts with teachers.
Kids’ difficulty with math is not immutable. It is more than possible for parents and educators to take steps to help children excel at and genuinely enjoy math. According to a study by Florida International University (FIU), research confirms that learning games and apps improve math scores and have the potential to make a tremendous difference.