Yet another computer-based math system?

10 Jan 2008 · Posted in Computers & Internet, Mathematics 

The OCRegister’s article Irvine man has kids loving math talks about the MIND Research Institute’s ST Math Games program.

The background to this one is interesting. The founder of the program, Matthew Peterson, did not do well in school himself due to a problem with dyslexia.

His Flash based ST Math Games is largely ‘language free’ and aims at tweaking…

… spatial-temporal reasoning, the same reasoning used to learn music, to teach math concepts.

The process encourages students to visualise mathematical concepts (like adding fractions, solving equations) before they ever try to solve math problems using language, numbers or symbols.

The games revolve around the cartoon character Jiji, a penguin whose life is made easier when the student gets the problem correct.

Jiji

There are similarities between this program and the approach taken in Singapore to teach the solution of simultaneous equations using visualisation by blocks.

ST Math Games is an interesting approach that is worth investigating. Apart from anything else, it does not insist that students start abstracting before they have a concrete understanding of concepts and it is catering for those who struggle with mathematics because of language issues.

Have a play with some of the ST Mat Game demos. The guided tour on that page is interesting as well.

Comments

10 Responses to “Yet another computer-based math system?”

  1. Annette on June 3rd, 2008 8:49 am

    My daughter loves Jiji math. They instaled It at her school and she has been doing so much better in math. I give it two thumbs up!

  2. zac on June 3rd, 2008 9:07 am

    Hi Annette and thanks for your input.

    Is your daughter a visual learner? That is, would she rather draw and look at pictures rather than read and write (verbal orientation)?

    I’m glad to hear that the concrete approach they are using helps.

  3. Colleen on November 5th, 2008 7:13 am

    Hi,

    My Children use JiJi at school. Is this something I can purchase for home use? I would like to be able to enhance their learning by having the programs at home. If so, where is this available?

    Thanks very much,

    Colleen H.

  4. zac on November 5th, 2008 9:19 am

    Hi Colleen and thanks for your feedback.

    Their sales page lists some available items. There’s also a Contact Us link on that page.

  5. Bernice H on December 4th, 2008 4:37 pm

    Hi;
    My son uses Jiji at school, and that is all he talks about, he loves it. I want to purchase it at home if that is possible. If my son is asking me for the program I’m impressed, because school never interested him a whole lot. Thank you so very much!! I am defenitly a Jiji fan!

    Bernice H

  6. zac on December 4th, 2008 8:18 pm

    Thanks, Bernice. Seems like Jiji is getting some good reactions from students – and that’s the most important endorsement.

  7. ALBERT on December 14th, 2008 10:49 am

    IM SECOND GRADER, MY QUESTION IS IF I CAN USE THE SAME PROGRAM HERE @ HOME

  8. zac on December 14th, 2008 11:11 am

    Hi Albert

    As mentioned earlier, their sales page lists some available items. There’s a “Request information” link on that page and also a “Contact Us” link on that page.

  9. kathy on March 3rd, 2009 12:05 pm

    I went to the sales page . . . however, there is no information on whether I can purchase for home computer.

  10. zac on March 3rd, 2009 2:11 pm

    Hi Kathy

    On the Contact page I found this email: jijistore@mindresearch.net

    Hopefully they can help.

Leave a Reply