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Number
Works |
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Contact phone:
01666 843200, CD (Mac and Windows). Price:- £11.75
inc VAT |
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Number
Works |
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Contact phone:
01666 843200, CD (Mac and Windows). Price:- £11.75
inc VAT |
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Program evaluation Simon says: Number Works is nominally targeted at KS2 students (7 years to 9 years-old) but I initially tried it with a Y11 student (15 years old) who wanted to chill for a short time - not one of my "Raising Achievement" students, but, for a change, it was a quiet hour so, after checking it was O.K. with his timetabled teacher, why not?. His maths knowledge was like many Y11s - he knew some areas well, but had some surprising gaps in very basic skills and concepts, like place value and rounding. The deal was that he could chill with me if he "reviewed" Number Works. Number Works is based on the idea of a broken-down 'Number Works factory' where students need to complete tasks in order to mend the different machines. This is a relatively painless way of reinforcing basic skills. Of course he whizzed through some areas - fixing the broken machines easily, but other machines revealed the gaps in his knowledge. However such is Number Works that together we were able to fix the machines. At secondary level, not Number Works' main target area, the program acts as a focus for discussion of number if used by two or more students or student and teacher (or other adult). It would have been difficult to engage this student in discussion without this focus. When I increased the difficulty level (to level 3 - level 2 being the default) he began to pause and think more about what he was doing, but still managed most (but not all) of the tasks himself. Occasionally, we were uncertain what we were being asked to do, but by using the Help facility, we were able to resolve these difficulties. It also provided a springboard for discussion about the importance of understanding what you're being asked to do before doing it - and going back to re-read the question / task instructions when you come unstuck. The panel opposite gives the maths areas covered. For me accessing the activities via the activity menu was most appropriate, but the "adventure" mode is also fun and involves direction and distance Logo-like commands. How the program is used is up to the teacher / student / parent, but it can be used both to meet the needs of the numeracy project at KS2 and to help older students who have specific maths weaknesses. As always, Sherston's evaluation arrangements will help decision-making. The program is attractive and fun - the "house" characteristics of Sherston and Mike Matson who was involved in its development. Hans Rijnen's influence is also evident. What is it about this Dutchman and mice in Holland?! (Another, more structured review of this program can be found on the TEEM site.)
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Program Details Sherston say: "Put some fun into your numeracy lessons with our brand new maths adventure that includes a wealth of number activities! Full of cranky old machines that
barely work at all, the Number Works will
captivate your pupils as they try to help UNIT
the robot (and his friend the mouse) get the whole place
working again.
CD
(Mac and Windows). |
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