Algebra Touch is an innovative app that allows students to view, understand and practice basic algebra concepts without having to do any calculations. This app is a great choice for students first learning or struggling with concepts or those with numerical calculation weaknesses, since it enables them to focus on the “how” and not worry about the additional step of computing answers. Students begin each of the eight lessons with a very brief tutorial which demonstrates how to combine like terms, order of operations, factorization, distributive property, combine exponents, and simplify expressions and solve equations. They can then practice sets of four problems in either novice or master mode or enter their own problems to practice. Rather than doing the calculations, students move like terms together and the computations are done automatically. Since the approach is novel, the app make take a bit of adjustment. The dragging and dropping could present some ongoing challenges for students with motor weaknesses. This is a unique app that places all the emphasis on process, which could have particular value for students who benefit from repeated visual review.

• Provides sufficient and varied types of practice problems to maximize understanding and generalization of the targeted skill/concept
• Manufacturer claims alignment with Common Core/Known Standards
• Presents educational concepts accurately
• Explains answers so students can learn from mistakes
• Better for teaching the skill to new or struggling learners
• Better for practicing or refreshing the skill
• Skills are practiced through authentic, meaningful problems (not just rote practice)

• Appropriate for a broad age range to use and enjoy
• Subject matter and problems are relevant, interesting and authentic to students
• Visually appealing to children in the target age range
• Provides virtual rewards or incentives after meeting specified goals or objectives
• Provides a "break activity" between academic problem sets
• Offers ongoing, progressive challenge
• Overall - Enjoyable. Given the option, students would choose this option

• Has a free or trial version
• Provides teaching guidance for adults to support the child and set appropriate goals
• Provides an age-appropriate tutorial/first time users can work independently
• Student should be able to use independently after first use
• Has a multi-player option to foster in-person collaboration or cooperation
• Multiple users can save a profile
• Student graduates to the next level or topic only after meeting a benchmark
• Can play without sound and not distract others
• Students can save work between sessions
• Can effectively understand and monitor student's progress (email report or in product)
• Provides options to play in languages other than English/Good for ELL
• Presents information in multiple formats (voice over, pictures and text, etc.)
• Overall - Easy to use

• Abstract Reasoning
• Requires remembering and completing a sequence of visual steps
• Students might need support with navigation
• Fine Motor Skills
• Requires challenging finger movements, motor precision or physical manipulation
• Visual Discrimination
• Students might need support with navigation
• Visual Motor Speed
• Requires challenging finger movements, motor precision or physical manipulation
• Working Memory
• Requires remembering and completing a sequence of visual steps
• Includes long written questions or text that students must be able to read on their own
• Students might need support with navigation

Have you forgotten most of your algebra? Algebra Touch will refresh your skills using touch-based techniques built from the ground up for your iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch.



Say you have x + 3 = 5. You can drag the 3 to the other side of the equation.



Enjoy the wonderful conceptual leaps of algebra, without getting bogged down by the tedium of traditional methods.



"With this app, the author has successfully made algebra beautiful. I really wish this app existed when I was studying algebra 25 years ago." - geekswithjuniors.com

Drag to rearrange, tap to simplify, and draw lines to eliminate identical terms. 



Easily switch between lessons and randomly-generated practice problems.



Create your own sets of problems to work through in the equation editor, and have them appear on all of your devices with iCloud.



Current material covers:

Simplification, Like Terms, Commutativity, Order of Operations, Factorization, Prime Numbers, Elimination, Isolation, Variables, Basic Equations, Distribution, Factoring Out, Exponent Product Rule, and Exponent Quotient Rule.

Made possible with support from the Percepts and Concepts Laboratory of Indiana University, Bloomington, and the Cave Lab at the University of Richmond.


Research supported by the Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education, through Grant R305A110060 University of Richmond.



Questions? Comments? Contact sean@regularberry.com



Quotes from users:



"Learning algebra was never this intuitive and fun." - Blake, 148apps.com



"I'm 48. I've wanted to learn Algebra my whole life.

Tried all kinds of books, to no avail.

Your app works for me. I'm so excited.

A whole new world opens up." - Sally G



"...thank you for this app because it really helps me with the homework for my kids." - Melvin