Application: Column Addition
What it is: The Column Addition app gives students a great place to practice and study the column addition method. Students can choose to solve random problems or input their own problems to solve. The carrying of number is handled automatically with a clean animation. When students solve the operation for each column, the correct answer “flies” to the right place. If the answer is incorrect, it will not move. As students solve an addition problem, they earn another piece of a six piece puzzle of an animal. There are 21 complete puzzles in all, in order to complete them all students will have to solve almost 200 addition problems. Students can add two or three numbers, they can practice with randomly generated problems or enter their own, each number can have between 1 and 5 digits, the current operation for each column can be hidden, students can swap color themes of the apps for increased individualization, and the speed of the animations can be set by students.
How Column Addition can enrich learning: What makes the Column Addition app so great is the immediate feedback it gives to students. They don’t work through an entire problem before realizing their mistake, but instead can take a closer look and re-solve as they go to come up with the correct answer. The app is very easy to use and has some nice customization options that will appeal to students using it to study. The step by step animation and guidance will help students get the column method of addition down in no time. The ability to enter their own numbers means that students can input problems from a math curriculum or text-book and work through the step by step process with any problem. Your reluctant math students will love this app, it will act as their own personal tutor sitting with them and encouraging them on!
Devices: Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iOS 3.0 or later
Price: $3.99 (iTunes Link)