In our technological age, children struggling with multiplication facts can turn to computer programs for help. There are free ones that students interact with online and those that cost money but promise to foster better math skills with practice. Lack of computer access could prevent some children from making use of available technology, however. But in the United States a child who doesn't have access to a computer at home may be able to use one at school and public libraries.
Timez Attack
Timez Attack is a 3-D video game offered for free in a base version on BigBrainz.com. Users have the option of purchasing upgrades. The makers of the product claim to have experience creating non-educational computer games including Play Station 2.
In Timez Attack, players make a green character walk through a maze that has barriers. To overcome these barriers and reach the end of the maze, the player must correctly solve multiplication problems. Timez Attack remembers the problems a player misses and generates challenges to help her strengthen her multiplication skills.
Times Tales Trigger Memory System
Times Tales Trigger Memory System teaches students the multiplication facts of the numbers six through nine because the system's creators found that learning the multiplication facts of these numbers is particularly difficult for students. In Times Tales, numbers are depicted as characters or objects that resemble their number equivalents. The characters and objects are placed within the context of a story. Unlike other programs that children can use independently, teachers or parents must help students use Times Tales.
KidsNumbers.com
KidsNumbers.com lists a variety of free online programs that strengthen students' math skills. For instance, the Apple Basket Multiplication game helps students visualize multiplication facts. Buzzy's Time Table Challenge prompts players to correctly answer multiplication facts before time runs out. And in the Lake Mathotobie game, players "fish" in an imaginary lake filled with fish that eat numbers representing the answers to multiplication problems.
Multiplication.com
Multiplication.com provides links to a variety of math games, not only those that teach multiplication. In the Multiplication Game, players try to find the correct answer to multiplication facts by remembering where the answers lie hidden on a concentration board. The Qia flashcard game is an online version of simple flash cards. The APlus math game is an enhanced flash card game that remembers the problems a student correctly or incorrectly answered.
SoftSchools.com
SoftSchools.com lists links to several multiplication tools. These include the Multiplication Game, which enables players to choose how many problems they want to try; the Minute Math game in which players have a minute to answer problems; and the Fishing Multiplication Game, another game in which players "catch" the correct numbers by "fishing" for them.
FlashMaster
Finally, the FlashMaster device, while not free, is highly rated by parents and educators. This hand-held device responds to a player's skill level to teach addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. According to a product review that appeared in the 2003 issue of "Educator Update," for parents and teachers who have found it nearly impossible to help a certain child grasp math facts "FlashMaster...is a godsend."
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