Mathspace is an Australian app that is in essence a good interactive Algebra workbook. Users can try the app out for free and upgrade for over 10,000 problems organized by topic. The app has the unique interactive feature that it will actually correct a student at each individual step of multi-step equations. The hints at each step are quite good. If a student does not know the answer the application will apply a hint so the student can see the solution in a step-wise fashion. Correct answers are awarded with credits to buy avatars, backgrounds, etc. to make the app more interesting. Unfortunately, students who are struggling or impatient are likely to find the app tedious, and the font for the problems is too small. An important consideration is that the app is based on handwriting recognition, not typing, and there may be insufficient space for students to solve the problem. Students could easily grow frustrated if they know how to solve the problem but are marked incorrect because their handwriting is misunderstood. For these students, parents may want to consider the online subscription service the company offers rather than the app. For students wanting to attentively learn algebra this app could be great.

• 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

• Attention
• Promotes purchases or upgrades to students
• Includes long written questions or text that students must be able to read on their own
• Fine Motor Skills
• Requires challenging finger movements, motor precision or physical manipulation
• Student will need to copy or write multi-digit math problems
• Numerical Fluency
• Student will need to copy or write multi-digit math problems
• Organization
• Includes long written questions or text that students must be able to read on their own
• Self-regulation
• Promotes purchases or upgrades to students
• Gives negative feedback (red X's, buzzer)
• Spatial Perception
• Student will need to copy or write multi-digit math problems
• Visual Discrimination
• Promotes purchases or upgrades to students
• Words used during activity can be too small or difficult to read
• Directions are visually difficult to read
• Visual Motor Speed
• Requires challenging finger movements, motor precision or physical manipulation
• Student will need to copy or write multi-digit math problems
• Working Memory
• Student will need to copy or write multi-digit math problems
• Includes long written questions or text that students must be able to read on their own

Mathspace has arrived on the iPad - your favourite online math textbook, workbook and mark book just got better.

Mathspace is the first computer based system that allows students to complete full worked solutions to problems online and receive instant feedback and help at every step.

Why would anyone carry a math textbook when Mathspace has a bank of over 70,000 interactive questions covering everything from addition to algebra, geometry to graphing, probability to statistics.

Curriculum Coverage:

* Australia: Australian Curriculum 5-12
* USA: Common Core for Middle School, Pre-Algebra, Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry
* United Kingdom: Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, GCSE
* Singapore: Secondary 1- 4
* Hong Kong: Secondary 1-3
* International: World of Maths


** EXTRA FEATURES **

* Math writing recognition: Now you can write your step by step working and Mathspace will recognize your handwriting and be able to mark your answers on the spot.


For technical issues or other feedback email us at hello@mathspace.co or tweet us at www.twitter.com/mathspace