iOS App Lists Navigating the iPhone and iPad App Universe: Reviews, Lists, and Insights
As someone who is a huge advocate of using technology in education, I’m always excited to see new iPad apps that are both helpful and innovative. Developed by MediaKube, TouchMath Adventures: Jungle Addition 1 for iPad is a fantastic app that was recently named a 2015 Parents Choice Recommended Award Winner.
When it comes to educational apps, it’s difficult to achieve the perfect balance of content and functionality. This is especially true when it comes to a subject like mathematics.
When I first opened TouchMath Adventures: Jungle Addition 1, I immediately noticed the app looked more like a game than an educational tool. As you can imagine, this is definitely a good thing.
TouchMath Adventures: Jungle Addition 1 is definitely a unique educational app, primarily because it teaches kids a whole new way of thinking. The app covers math topics such as counting, addition, and greater than/less than/equal to operations. Activities are split into three different modes: Adventurer Training, Skill Practice, and Adventure Mode.
In Adventurer Training, kids learn how to complete the various activities in TouchMath Adventures: Jungle Addition 1. This includes learning various TouchPoints for numbers, which helps to develop better counting skills.
Unlike many other math apps that focus on rote learning and constant repetition, TouchMath Adventures: Jungle Addition 1 takes a different approach by showing kids a whole new way to think.
Skill Practice consists of seven chapters that cover various math topics. These topics cover everything taught in TouchMath Adventures: Jungle Addition 1, and kids don’t have to complete a chapter in order to unlock the next one.
This means that they can selectively choose which skill the work on, which is great for kids who are having difficulties with certain operations.
The third mode, Adventure Mode, takes kids on a journey through a math filled world where they must complete chapters in order to move on to the next one. Activities in Adventure Mode also cover every topic in TouchMath Adventures: Jungle Addition 1, but there’s the added twist of kids having to work towards a goal.
TouchMath Adventures: Jungle Addition 1 offers plenty of features for parents and teachers, as well. The app allows adults to easily adjust chapter settings and customize the number of problems, as well as skills that are to be practiced.
There’s also a section where teachers and parents can learn more about the TouchMath family of apps. This section is protected and requires a valid year of birth in order to access it.
When it comes down to it, TouchMath Adventures: Jungle Addition 1 is definitely one of the best math apps I’ve seen. Though the price tag of $9.99 might seem a bit steep, it’s roughly the same price as an activity book and much cheaper than an hour of tutoring.
Plus, TouchMath Adventures: Jungle Addition 1 is downright fun to use and I love the fact that it teaches kids a new way of thinking.
If you’re not ready to commit to the full version of TouchMath Adventures: Jungle Addition 1, there’s a free version of the app, TouchMath Adventures: Jungle Addition 1 Lite, as well.
TouchMath Adventures: Jungle Addition 1 requires iOS 5.1 or later and is compatible with iPad.
A small fee was paid by the developer for publication of this review
