Factor Tree addresses many useful math skills not fully covered by other apps including multiplication, division, factor trees, GCD, LCM and finding factor pairs. Unfortunately, its poor design is likely to cause more frustration than benefit. The graphics on the home screen will be the first deterrent. The concept explanations could be useful for adults trying to teach a child, but most students will be confused by the explanations. Many of the practice areas are unclear as to what a student should be doing, they are not engaging to play, and there is no incentive to complete them. Even the area designed for parents to review results is confusing. The font throughout the entire app is tiny and challenging to read. Although students could definitely learn and practice math skills with this app, there are simply better alternatives.

• 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
• Students might need support with navigation
• Anxiety
• Gives negative feedback (red X's, buzzer)
• A player's success depends on speed
• Attention
• Includes long written questions or text that students must be able to read on their own
• Flexible Thinking
• Students might need support with navigation
• Numerical Fluency
• A player's success depends on speed
• Organization
• Includes long written questions or text that students must be able to read on their own
• Students might need support with navigation
• Reading Basics
• Includes long written questions or text that students must be able to read on their own
• Reading Comprehension
• Includes long written questions or text that students must be able to read on their own
• Reading Fluency
• A player's success depends on speed
• Includes long written questions or text that students must be able to read on their own
• Self-regulation
• Gives negative feedback (red X's, buzzer)
• A player's success depends on speed
• Verbal Reasoning
• Assumes specific knowledge or vocabulary without "look-up" options
• Includes long written questions or text that students must be able to read on their own
• Vocabulary
• Assumes specific knowledge or vocabulary without "look-up" options
• Working Memory
• Includes long written questions or text that students must be able to read on their own
• Students might need support with navigation

Factor tree is a free educational application for mathematics. It is directed towards curriculum from grade 3 to 9. This app is also free from advertising and completely functional without in-app purchases!

Exercises include:
• multiplication
• division
• factor tree
• upside-down birthday cake method
• GCD
• LCM
• finding all factor pairs
Exercises give immediate feedback for each step so that students can determine whether they are making arithmetic or conceptual errors.

This app tracks users results:
• question accuracy
• step accuracy
• answer speed
• number of questions
This gives users feedback on their progress. This is an important part of learning.

Input for answers is provided in several formats so students can choose a style that they are familiar with:
• phone pad
• calculator pad
• keyboard

Tutorials are provided for each exercise, so students can learn on their own or with the aid of their teacher or tutor. Tutorials are also provided as YouTube video lessons accessible from the app.

For students not ready to do mental math, this app provides a scratchpad to work out calculations. And for students not ready to do long multiplication and division, their is a built-in calculator.

For those who don't have access to personal devices, this app allows for multiple students to create their own accounts. This allows individual students to track their own progress.

Privacy is of utmost concern, therefore this app is not linked to any social networking. All results are local and never sent to a server unless you choose to do so. However, no contact information will be required.

Developed by a member of the British Columbia College of Teachers and professional software developer.