Splash Math 2 -iPad App

The iPad Application Splash Math 2 is a mathematical application geared towards second graders and the content intended to be mastered in the second grade. This is a free application through the iTunes application store and I would highly suggest downloading it. You can also buy the full version which will give you access to more sections of mathematical topics in the game. The game has high quality colors and engaging graphics to entertain children. The theme of Splash Math is indeed the ocean and the character icon is a frog that pops the bubbles of the right answer.




The home screen has a couple of different options for you to choose from. The first and main option is PLAY, this will give the child different questions that are related to addition and subtraction, place value, counting by 2s, 5s, and 10s, greater than or less than numbers, base ten blocks, and more. The PLAY feature allows a variety of different topics to be practiced as one review. At the bottom on the screen there is a cool feature called the scratchboard. It's a small grey tab that can be pulled up and and your finger acts as a a pen and can be used for scratch work. Rounds of PLAY go by 10 questions, but the amount of rounds play can be of your choice.





Here are two examples of questions asked during the PLAY game. The one to the left involves place value, identifying the value of a certain digit in a certain place value spot. The one to the right involves base ten blocks, and identifying the correct number represented by the blocks.






There is also a part of the main screen, called math facts, that can be used to practice addition and subtraction problems to become more fluent in basic mathematical facts. The range of numbers used in the addition and subtraction problems can be changed, as well as the amount of questions asked. A question must be answered before moving to the next one. The scratch pad feature is also available in this section. This section allow students to practice their basic math facts in which more mathematical facts are built upon. Mastering these quick calculations is beneficial to the speed of mathematical calculations in real life.

The practice section allows students to practice second grade math concepts through answering questions. Completion of each topic in percentage form is shown for a parent, adult, or teacher to see progress. Students can move from topic to topic and within subtropics. The lite (free) version does not give access to every topic, therefore a taste of what the full version is like is given for students to test out. These problems are again a different type of review for students to master second grade concepts.







This application is best used for individual students to work on. It would be useful for an extension part of a lesson, after a topic has been used and practiced students can take an iPad and practice what they have learned in a fun educational game. I would also use this application for students who need differentiation of a lesson, specially Exceptionally Challenged learners who might need more practice with mathematical concepts. I would use this for EC students because I think the review concept of the game is not geared towards Advanced Learners who need higher level mathematical problems. The game also features sound if necessary which could be useful when having English Language Learners needing to hear a problem read allowed. This game is not intended to teach students the concepts and rules of mathematical concepts, instead it works as a fun and education review game to practice the skills they have already learned.

Resources:

Splash Math Icon Picture Retrieved April 22nd 2013 from: http://nymetroparents.com/article/Which-Apps-Will-Help-My-Child-With-Critical-Thinking-and-Memory

All other pictures screen-shoted from Katie McCabe's iPad.