Math Galaxy (TOS Review)

Math Galaxy Home Page (Click on Guided Tour for an introduction)

Math Galaxy starts from the beginning, with addition and multiplication tables and single-digit operations, but its main focus is on where children start having trouble with math: multi-step problem-solving. There are enough programs out there that teach number recognition and simple operations, with dancing bears and other frills, but stop short of where students start having trouble, making the leap from familiar and concrete experiences to abstract thinking.--from the website

To be honest, I'm still trying to figure out how to describe this website.

We received our choice of "stand-alone" math products--the software versions of the Java-based activities from the website. And Math Galaxy covers a wide range of math levels--from simple adding up through high school. You can learn from it, review with it, play games with it, and even download books of worksheets based on solving riddles. There is a lot on this site, and some of it, unfortunately, is a bit hard to find unless you've done some looking around. For instance, from the home page, I can scroll down to Games (sorry, I can't link to that from here), click on Riddles, and up comes a screen that says The Math Riddler, with a choice of eight topics. I choose Time, and I'm given a choice of making it a one, two or three-player game. It's like playing Wheel of Fortune--who can solve the riddle first by matching the clocks with the times?

But if I had gone down past the Games section, I would see the Instruction section. I might choose "Decimals," and get a graphically-illustrated lesson in writing decimals.

Unlike most math textbooks, which throw a mass of material at the student, Math Galaxy focuses student attention on concepts sequentially and interactively, based upon the ideas behind math manipulatives (such as counting blocks) and connecting new concepts to familiar experiences.--from the website

If there's a weak side to this product, it's the graphics and the more ambitious games--the ones where you need to use the "robots" you've earned by doing math exercises. The games are a bit hard to figure out, especially for younger children, and more than that, they're very dated-looking. We're talking Pac-Man style, and while that may be enough for some kids, I'd hazard a guess that it wouldn't be very motivational in the public school market.

However, you don't have to play the games...and the riddles are really fun. Even our middle-schooler liked the printable math pages with riddles. So I guess my final take on Math Galaxy is...this site's a bit of a buffet, and if you don't like one dish, you can probably find something on there that you do like. Check it out, because (the best I can figure out), you can access most of the playing and learning activities for free.

Cost of stand-alone software: US$24.95 each.
For more reviews of this product, see the Review Crew website.

Dewey's Disclaimer: We received these downloads free for purposes of review. No other payment was made. The opinions expressed in this review are our own.