Software Evaluation

Kate Quigley
Casey York
8/28/00
Software Evaluation

Title: Fizz and Martina's Math Adventures

Content Type: Math

Rating: 8-9

Low Grade: 3

High Grade: 5

Publisher: Tom Snyder Productions

Date Published: 1998

Platform: Mac or Windows

Price: at least $20

Content Description: This software is very group oriented. It involves a lot of teamwork, problem solving and sharing of responsibility. The program is set up to be used on many computers or with all students watching on one computer. The purpose is to build skills in the areas of problem solving, mathematical communication, teamwork. Time needed for play could vary, but approximately 5 class periods would be necessary to complete the adventure. The game is set up in a three-step process. The game begins with students watching a Fizz and Martina adventure that presents some kind of mathematical problem to be resolved. During this time students watch video and take notes, recording important numbers and information. Next the students work in-groups to answer questions on a worksheet, such as explaining a mathematical problem without using numbers. During the third step one person from each group is chosen at random to answer a question from the worksheet without looking at their work. If the answers are correct the team receives an award card. During this time there is much emphasis on teamwork and helping each member of the group stay on the same level. There are optional suggestions for homework and expansion.

Installation: computer with a CD ROM drive, with sound card

Strengths:
meets NCTM standards for mathematics as communication, whole number operations and computation, estimation

meets NCTM Instructional Practice Match for cooperative work, discussion of mathematics, writing about mathematics

encourages teamwork, responsibility of each member to group as a whole

facilitates "talking" math

worksheets that include writing about math without using numbers

learning while playing a game holds student's attention
 

Weaknesses:

 purpose of award cards is unclear

 with lesson taking up multiple days students could lose interest

student chosen from team to answer question could feel pressure to answer correctly in front of group
 

User Comments:
 "The students are able to talk about and bring ideas to the table"
- Tim O'Connor fifth grade teacher

"Children are not used to taking notes but we talk about it afterwards. There are different learning styles and teaching styles….It is a challenge not to use numbers in the answer."
- Beth Thiemann third grade teacher

Would you use this software in your class, and in what way?
Yes, it would be useful at the beginning of the year to bring students together as teams and would help students get to know each other. In fourth or fifth grade this program could be used for review and assessment as well as teaching purposes. It is very age appropriate and appealing to third through fifth graders.