Springbird is a math education app for children on the iPad. Here is the link to it on the itunes store.
https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/maths-springbird-hd-curriculum/id496301680?mt=8
| Name of teaching resource
Springbird |
| Weblink (if web based)
https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/maths-springbird-hd-curriculum/id496301680?mt=8 |
| Who should this digital teaching resource be used with? (ie year/grade)
Grade 1 to 2 |
| How should it be used? (e.g. individual, whole class)
Small groups. A group of 2 or 3 children can have an iPad, and that way there is also an element of competition, to see who can get the answer first (or it can be changed to turns, if it’s a rambunctious group of kids). |
| Which subject or learning area would it be most appropriate to use in?
Math |
| Identify the strengths of this teaching resource
Turns a quick round of math problems into a game with goals, making it something fun to practice and strive to get better at, instead of creating a feeling of disappointment in those that fail, and then are not inclined to try again. Gives the option for children to continue their practice at home on their own iPads. Has an option to pay for expansion packs involving arithmetic and shape sequences. So parents can buy this at home so that children learn new things in a setting they are already familiar with and enjoy, or teachers could purchase the packs if this app worked very well for their class. |
| Identify any weaknesses of this teaching resource
One-dimensional. After all the levels have been played and students are moving on, the game cannot be updated or customised to move up with them. Games can create discord in a classroom when students get scores higher or lower than one another. Children can get bored of playing the same game. |
| Explain any ideas you may have for further use of this teaching resource
When students finish early they can be allowed to go sit and play this educational game. This type of game could be used in other subjects with definite answers such as History. |
A digital world. 