TS Math 2
Overview
Software for primary schools, suitable also for kindergartens. This extremely elaborate educational program is organized in inidivudal lessons. ¨The following curriculum is included: introducing numbers, development of basic arithmetical conceptions regarding numerical and spatial relations, numeration (assigning certain number to a particular set of articles, displaying the number by a set of articles, comparing, classifying numbers into series, determining order), numerical operations such as addition and subtraction, introducing zero (zero as a result of subtraction), introduction to geometry. Due to the fact that children of this age are not yet able to read, all tasks are assigned graphically and accompanied by voice instructions. The introduction sequence, combining voice and varied colourful graphics present a good motivation for the kids to stay with the application and arouse their interest in studying. The graphic design of the illustrations and animations are of very high quality and the animal pictures are very tasteful.
Making the students active
The dramatized introduction sequence activates the students´ interest, but primarily helps them understand the presented system. Each topic is presented on the basis of the dramatization in the introduction, using motivation situations from animal life. The animals in the application act just like children. The introductory motivation usually guides the students through the entire introduction and quite often appears also in parts dedicated to practising numerical operations. The children help the monkey to furnish her new house, help the teddy bear to repair his broken toys, go with the turtles to pick some mushrooms or join the bear on a trip to an amusement park. The child is the active one when using this application. Students are constantly encouraged and inspired by the kind and friendly voice of the speaker. They are rewarded not only by a verbal praise or the smiling face of their animal guide, but primarily by the chance of acquiring a beautiful diploma in the final contests for passing the exams. Student activity is also stimulated by the type of selected exercises. There is a number of different activities that the children will definitely enjoy. Apart from classifying numbers into series, the children will also do some colouring, rearrange objects, sort objects, finish pictures, build with blocks, look for differences in pictures, look for hidden numbers and solve number of other tasks. All of them are presented as a game. There is a contest at the end of each lesson - its aim is to verify, whether the children have acquired the curriculum. The children compete for diplomas with smart fox, patient turtle or wise elephant. The diplomas may be printed and serve as a pride to students´ parents and friends. The program is designed to do away with qualms about and possible fear of mathematics which can sometimes appear. It arouses the children's curiosity and effort in discovering.