Title:  Math Munchers Deluxe

Publisher:  MECC

Date Published:  1997

Platform:  Windows or Macintosh

Content Area:  Math Munchers focuses on a variety of mathematical concepts and is
designed to give students practice in addition, subtraction, division, multiplication, geometry, decimals, and fractions.

Range of Grade Levels:  3rd-6th

Content Description:  Math Munchers provides students the opportunity to work with
familiar mathematical concepts in an entertaining manner.  This software is designed with a game show theme, and it has students solving math problems in order to get away from the Troggles.  The purpose of the software is to give students practice with various mathematical concepts.  Students are allowed to pick their level of playing, however, they cannot switch difficulty levels during the game.  There are many different levels from which the student can choose.  The software contains math problems dealing with addition, subtraction, division, multiplication, geometry, decimals, percents, and fractions.  Because this is such a wide variety of math concepts, this software can be used for several years, and there are LOTS of problems for them to solve.  At the beginning of a game, the students are given a problem (for example:  “equal to 24”).  Now, the student has to move through the gameboard and land on the spaces that add up to 24.  If they land on an incorrect space, then they will loose a Muncher.  This software may take a little bit of time for students to use, however I think it would be most beneficial if students used it on an individual basis.

Instructional Type:

__X___  Drill and Practice  ______Tutorial

______  Simulation   __X___Game

______Problem Solving  ______ Tool
 
 

Strengths and Weaknesses:  Math Munchers is easy to get started in playing, and, because
there are so many different levels of play, it will be a program that can be used for a long period of time.  Also, it is not limited to only one or two concepts.  Instead, it has several concepts that the students can work with.  The animations and format are very eye-catching for students which provides motivation for playing the game.  On the other side, Math Munchers Deluxe also falters in that, if students do not understand a particular concept they are being evaluated on during a game, the students may get frustrated and not want to play – or even do math.  If students are getting answers wrong because of a difficulty level, or they do not understand the topic being covered, then they may, very well, get frustrated as a result of not performing well.   In addition, students may become bored with working the problems because the format seems to be the same for most sections.

How would using this software add to a lesson or a classroom?  This software would
work well as a review and as practice for students in the content areas covered by the program.  Students can get a lot of practice by simply playing a game of Math Munchers.  I would use this software in the classroom because it does a good job of getting students excited about math, while at the same time, enhancing the student’s learning experience.

Would you use this software with your students?  Why or why not?  I would use this
software with my students because I think it is a good software program that really enforces the mathematical concepts.  It is fun, entertaining, and a great learning aid to reinforce what we will be discussing in class.  I would, however, use the program on an individualize basis.

Rating:  Overall, I would rate Math Munchers Deluxe an 8.  The program is exciting for
children to work with, and it gives them lots of practice problems in several different mathematical areas.  The frustration over loosing does concern me a bit which brings down my rating a little, but all in all, I would say that Math Munchers Deluxe would be very beneficial in the classroom.

Links:  www.cdaccess.com/html/shared/mathmun.htm

This website gives a brief description of the software and opens you up to a whole new listing of computer software.  You can also purchase the Math Munchers Deluxe software through this website.

Reviews:

Marlene Kliman,  TERC
Based on Ms.  Kliman’s review of the software, I would question the use of the software in the classroom.  If I simply looked at her review, I would definitely say that I needed to look at the software myself.  She mentions how students are engaged by this software, which is why I would still consider using it, simply because students have to have some way of getting excited about mathematics, and if this game gets their attention, then great!  Let’s use it!

Tina Velgos, The Review Zone
Ms. Velgos gives a wonderful review of the software.  After reading it, I was convince that this program should at least be tried in the classroom.  Velgos seems to appreciate all of the practice opportunities that students receive through working with the software.

Superkids Educational Software Review, (no individual reviewer listed)
I would also use this software based on this review of the program.  The author points out the ease in which the software is used throughout playing.  There are many levels on which students can practice.