How Can Teachers Use It?
Multiple user profiles and some kind of progress tracking would be an improvement for classroom use, although kids could benefit from 5- to 10-minute blocks of straight practice. The banner ads are nearly always present, and although they're relatively unobtrusive, there really should be an option to pay to remove the ads.
Read More Read Less
What's It Like?
Multiplication Genius is an effective but no-frills multiplication practice and test app. Students can select any combination of factors from 2 to 12 in practice mode but are tested on all in test mode. For each problem, students get 20 seconds. Answers given within two seconds get a "Perfect"; those within six get a "Good!"; and those within seven to 20 get a "So So." Incorrect answers or failure to answer elicit a cute audio "uh-oh," and the correct answer flashes.
On the main menu, kids can choose to review times tables (in a list format), to practice, or to play a game. In practice mode, kids choose any combination of factors (for instance, they can test themselves just on 2s), then proceed to play. Game mode presents random expressions and four multiple-choice answers. The score displays at the bottom of the screen, where kids can also see what question they're on and how much time they have left (they start with 20 seconds).
Read More Read Less
Is It Good For Learning?
Through practice and testing, kids will assess their knowledge of multiplication facts and learn correct answers for ones they haven't mastered yet. High scores will keep some kids testing endlessly, as there are no levels or other data, but others may get bored. Times tables are provided, unlike with some other calculation apps, which is OK for skip counting memorization but less useful than the table format for seeing patterns.
If the app included division, and possibly addition and subtraction, it would provide a bit more useful depth. Levels or a reward system would provide a bit more closure and motivation as well.
Read More Read Less
Main menu with top banner ad; the app would get a boost if users could pay to remove ads.
Practice mode allows kids to choose factors.
"Perfect!" feedback for answering within two seconds.
"…Ooh!" feedback when answer is incorrect (the player also lost 30 points, equaling the missed answer).
The app keeps track of high scores for a single user, but doesn’t provide useful feedback on progress.
