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CYBERCHASE is produced by PBS Kids. It is an animated TV show and also has an interactive website. From their “Parents and Teachers” page:

CYBERCHASE teaches kids that math is everywhere, everyone can be good at it, and it’s fun! Here at CYBERCHASE Online for Parents & Teachers, we’ve provided everything you need to bring the math adventure and learning fun of CYBERCHASE to your favorite kids.

CYBERCHASE is aligned with the NCTM Standards. I liked the “quest” nature of the activities, where the kids nead to solve problems before they can move on. A screenshot:

What I wonder, though, is:

1. Is this more entertainment than it is learning?
2. What do usability tests reveal about what kids really do?
3. Is this kind of animated, cartoon-like approach the best way?

These questions may indicate I am cynical about CYBERCHASE. No, I’m not, but I really want to know more about the learning effectiveness of such approaches.

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