You know who those students are. No matter what you do as a teacher, they just hate math. Perhaps there is a simple concept they never picked up in the earlier grades, or maybe they just don't care for numbers. You can make the class as exciting as possible, but some children are just more interested in other subjects. One way to motivate those students who really would rather be in another class is with computerized math games.



Math games do not replace the need for a teacher. There is nothing that educational software can teach in math that can be taught without a teacher. Math is one of those subjects that really requires an instructor. However, math games can be used to reinforce and reward in the math classroom.

Imagine if you are teaching junior high math and realize that some of your students do not know how to add and subtract. If you have to take valuable class time to teach these basic elementary math skills, the rest of your students will suffer. However, if this student group is not able to do simple addition or subtraction, they are going to struggle all year. One way to encourage them to practice in a fun, competitive way without detracting from the overall class is to allow them to play math games. Perhaps devote the last 10 minutes of the class to free time. Students that are working at grade level can get a jump-start on their homework assignments, and students who need extra practice can play math games. You can set up the math games so that they focus on the areas the students need to practice. You can make random groups and rotate them so all of your students get a chance to play during the week. In this way you will not be pointing out a particular group, but at the same time all of your students will gain valuable practice.

One benefit of math games that is often overlooked is the fact that the students are working independently. Sometimes those students who struggle in subjects, especially math, are embarrassed about their difficulties. If you were to play a group practice game or ask them to answer questions orally, they might be too embarrassed to try their best. On the computer, however, these students are not faced with their peers. They can progress through the math games at their own level, gaining valuable practice each day.

As you are shopping for math games, you need to realize that there is a wide range of products available. You will still be able to find traditional math games. These are the games where students practice their basic facts with arcade-like programming. But, math games are no longer only the arcade-style games you may remember. You can find software that contains your students' favorite cartoon or movie characters. As they move through the levels they must answer math questions to proceed. Tracking student's progress and the cability to personalize lessons to the student's ability are features of some math game software. Students advance levels once they've reached competency on skills being worked on. Some math games have features that encourage and build analytical skills, problem approach, logic and systematic thinking. While your students may not realize this is math, you know that these thinking skills are essential to finding success in the subject. You can even purchase mystery programs where the students act as detectives solving "math mysteries."

Whatever program you decide to use in your math classroom, be sure to set aside time when the students can play math games. Everyone, from gifted students to those who struggle, can benefit from playing with numbers, and the computer is a great way to make this happen. With math games, math can become a little bit more fun for everyone.