EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY: IXL Practice Maths Educational Software

Does your child encounter great difficulties when faced with numerical problems? Does it seem impossible for him/her to absorb what is being taught at school? Well IXL is the site for your child.

IXL is a interactive mathematics tutorial course that is specifically designed for pre- kindergartners, kindergartners and primary school students alike, by acquiring the skills provided at each level users will undoubtedly be able face what challenges await them in the level that follows. The site's bright green background and colourful illustrations will instantly snatch their attention.

IXL is very well organized and easy for individuals to access exactly what they are looking for without losing time having to go around in 'circles' as the site's content is catergorized according to the different age level: pre-kindergarten, kindergarten and 1st year. Further more under each of these headings a preview of the course outline is provided. This site provides virtually an unlimited number of mathematical questions in over 1000 different topics.

This site is appropriate for all the suggested levels as coluorful graphics and pictures are utilized as aids in solving problems for the pre-kindergarten to the second grade levels, however graphics are not used for the upper levels as children at this age should be able to construct knowledge on their own. The questions at this site are multiple choice where users are required to read the questions and click on the answer that they think is right. Your assistance will be the scaffold your child needs at the lower levels as you may need to read the questions to them. According to the psychologists Jean Piaget and Lev Yygotsky; teachers should limit lecturing and explaining as much as possible and move towards learning activities that will put children in active roles.

The site contains a timer and a scoreboard which can be used to measure your child's improvement and a "themed" game board at each level. In mathematics continuous practice makes perfect, IXL aims to encourage users by making practice fun, unlocking awards on the game board when users excel, either by mastering a skill or increased practice time. The theorist Robert Sternberg stated that experience increases intelligence. For example, children who are exposed to enriched learning experiences both in pre-school and and during later schooling will score higher in intelligence tests than those who lack these experiences. IXL provides a great amount of experience, that will play a vital role in increasing your child's mathematical knowledge.

Mathematics is relevant within every class, ethnicity and culture because without possessing basic mathematics skills/knowledge carrying out normal day to day activities such as counting money will appear relatively difficult and even some what impossible.