This simple math program combines a game show theme with a wide variety of well-written questions to create a delightful math review experience. Kids build math fluency as they answer a variety of questions in a number of enjoyable formats.
Educational Value
MindTwister Math is great for drilling math facts and newly acquired (or currently rusty) skills. It shoots problems at the user rapid-fire -- no messing with a lengthy storyline or overdone graphics. Most of the problems reflect concrete, real-life uses of the involved math, while challenging the user’s mental math abilities. Four difficulty levels allow the program to suit a variety of computational abilities, and a multi-player option lets up to 4 kids participate at once.
Our teacher testers were pleased with both the content of included questions and subject depth, and unanimously agreed that they would recommend this program to students needing to work on math at the 3rd and 4th grade level.
Kid Appeal
Our student testers liked this program. They found the format to be user-friendly and the problems themselves intriguing and challenging. The only portion of MindTwister Math that received negative comments was the “Cooperation Break” round. Kids must move the Vacusaurus around a grid, PacMan style, vacuuming up Numbugs that do not match the math rule that appears at the top of the screen (and changes each time this portion of the program is played). This portion can become very confusing, especially in multi-player games where each player controls only aspect of the Vacusaurus’ movements. It requires fast-twitch muscles, a capability that not all of our testers were able to master, and weakness in this portion of the game makes getting a perfect score in the overall game impossible. “I can answer all the Math questions right, I just can’t vacuum up all the Numbugs,” was one frustrated tester’s lament. “I wish that part of the program wasn’t included!”
Ease of Use / Install
MindTwister Math installs without difficulty. Game-play and program navigation are adequately explained by the program narrators, so that the included User’s Guide is not necessary reading. As mentioned above, our only ease of use issues involved the “Cooperation Break” portion of the program.
Best for... / Bottom-Line
MindTwister Math provides a fun review of age-appropriate math skills. Kids who are already good at math will improve their computational speed and mental math ability, while students struggling with the subject can use it to review basic math facts and acquire needed skills.
PC:
Windows 95/98,
Pentium 66 MHz or faster cpu,
40 MB hard drive space,
16 MB RAM,
640 x 480, 256 color monitor,
Double-speed or faster CD-ROM,
Windows-compatible sound card.
Mac:
System 7.1.2 or higher,
PowerPC or better,
40 MB hard drive space,
12 MB RAM,
640 x 480, 256-color monitor,
Double-speed or faster CD-ROM.
contests
