Mindpower Math Middle School (Grade 6-9)

List Price: $9.99 Discount Price: $14.00

Features:

• Math mastery program for grades 6 to 9
• Topics include basic math, fractions, decimals, geometry, statistics, pre-algebra and algebra
• Visual and audio explanations
• Dynamic step-by-step simulations
• Context-specific hints

Customer Reviews:

Excellent [Posted on 2003-06-13]
When my mother got me this I was very excited. This game really helped me alot. That is a very big compliment because I'm terrible at math. You will not be dissapointed.

P.S. It worked with my Toshiba Laptop and my mom's custom made computer(not a specific brand)

EXCELLENT and engaging...after fixing installation problems. [Posted on 2003-07-25]
I bought this software because I love The Learning Company's (TLC)software. You won't believe the difficulties that I've gone through in installing this software in my new Computer (Windows ME). I have fixed the problem by going to the Macromedia website and downloaded "Macromedia Flash Player". Afterwards this software (Mind Power Math Middle School) run perfectly. My son enjoyed its delightful graphics and excellent mathematics presentation. It's worth all its troubles, it is just EXCELLENT!!

Not impress with its presentation and graphic [Posted on 2003-08-09]
I brought this software for my six-grader. I always like the learning company's product but this one does not impress me at all. The graphic is primitive and the presentation is boring. There is no extra practice or test you can do. My son ran through all the CD's but he really does not enjoy it. I just brought Math Advantage 2004. I have problem running the problem on a computer with 1GB of memory. But I install it on another machine and it works. I like the presentation much better and my son seems to like it too. It has an examination area where you can test your understanding and a game area to make it more fun.

Horrible [Posted on 2004-03-23]
This package appears ideal: it covers a lot of Middle School math subjects, over 4 CDs. The problem is, the creators of this software (which runs very slowly in your web browser!) have been a little too cute -- instead of just presenting the material, they run you through these elaborate scenarios requiring that you keep track of an entire fictional situation, and in using this with kids, they lose interest immediately because they're expending far too much time and mental energy just trying to figure out either what the question is, or trying to whittle down the real math problem inside of some elaborate story. It's a huge time waster and is monumentally frustrating. For example, one such headache, the 'Estimating Quotients" lessons, revolve around a story about connecting the intercontinental railroad, measuring the railroad ties, space between, etc., etc., with lots of other information that confuses the child. This is the common theme. I run the software, and the kids can't figue out what the h&ll the question is!
It might not be so bad if these 'mathematical problem scenarios' were used after the basics had been covered, but instead are the norm in presenting the material for the first time. The result is that the kids are totally lost and just don't get it.

Also, this software takes an extraodinarilly long time to cover a miniscule amount of mathematics. They could have easily fit the entire course on one CD, with plenty of room to spare, had they simply covered the basics, instead of making everything a 'challenging problem, or game, or complicated scanario. I can see where they might have thought that this would make learning math enjoyable, but in practice the kids are lost half way through each lesson.

Little green math tutor... [Posted on 2005-02-09]
I'm a homeschooling mum and I bought this for my 9 year old son who loves math. It's an absolute dream! I had no problems whatsoever installing the program and my son was captivated from the start. The package is presented by a green alien by the name of Digit who is totally engaging and explains carefully everything your kid needs to know. The only problem I have with it is limiting my son to one lesson per day.

The 4 cds are a whole course, designed to be worked through systematically. I would imagine it would get pretty confusing if you just dipped in at random as the lessons build on one another and rely on concepts and terminology introduced in earlier lessons. It is assumed that the player (student?) can add, subtract, multiply and divide competently. If you get stuck, you can click 'Show Me' and you are guided through a step by step breakdown of the current problem. If you make a mistake, a relevant explanation is usually given. After every lesson there are practice problems to work through, usually with a good 'real life' theme.

The only drawback I've found is that the program is so good at teaching your kid mathematical terminology that they end up asking you awkward questions like 'Mum, do you know what the multiplicative inverse of 22 over 7 is?' at inopportune moments...

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