Dear Parents: 5 Educational Game Apps!

DragonBox

A game almost as addictive as Angry Birds, DragonBox combines first rate art design and smooth game mechanics to teach the basics of algebraic thinking. At first glance, it seems like DragonBox is tricking kids into learning algebra. It’s not. Kids are actually doing algebra from the moment they start the app. Trials have shown that, on average, DragonBox takes about 42 minutes to teach kids most of the operations involved in middle school algebra. IOS & Android.

Wuzzit Trouble

This game comes from the studio founded by NPR’s Math Guy, Keith Devlin. It focuses on mathematical thinking and problem solving proficiencies. Devlin imagines Wuzzit Trouble like an instrument. Consider the piano: if you fiddle with it, you can’t help but learn something; add a good teacher and the possibilities are endless. Playing Wuzzit Trouble is learning by doing. The interface requires the user to perform mathematical functions. iOS.

Toontastic

Learning is not just about “cognitive skills” like math and literacy. Both critical thinking and social empathy require being comfortable with metaphor. Kids can learn these skills through art projects and creative storytelling. Toontastic teaches kids to tell stories by animating their own cartoons. They move characters around the tablet screen while recording narration or character dialogue. Afterwards, they add dramatic mood music for the perfect soundtrack. Kids love creative play. With Toontastic, they’re not just consuming media, they’re also creating it. iOS.

Gamestar Mechanic

It is easier than you might think for kids to make their own video games. Gamestar Mechanic is a great web-based place for younger children to start. The web-based platform uses a drag and drop interface. Kids learn systems thinking through game-based tutorials. Then, they make their own games and share them among other members of Gamestar Mechanic community. When kids design their own video games, they are engaged in “learning-by-making.” Project based learning is a constructive experience. It is active rather than passive. Web-based, works in any browser.

ST Math

You can’t actually download ST Math yourself. It is sold directly to institutions, schools and districts. ST Math is unique because it teaches a comprehensive elementary and secondary math curriculum without using any words, only pictures. Kids love the cute penguin named Jiji that’s featured in every level. The real accomplishment of ST Math is that its creator, Matthew Peterson, has mastered the art of using technology as a tool: just as a chainsaw increases the efficiency and efficacy with which an axe could already chop down a tree, ST Math creates a scalable method through which to bring the gifts of great teaching to more students.http://www.mindresearch.net/

Article from http://www.forbes.com/pictures/gfmj45effi/dragonbox/