Math - Decimals Subtraction

MATH - DECIMALS SUBTRACTION has some potential, and the developers made an effort to create a pedagogically sound educational game. But, in the end, the results are disappointing. On the plus side, the use of pre- and post-tests suggests kids and adults will be able to measure success. 3-D virtual tutors lead kids through three situational algorithms including one cool shortcut for borrowing, and performance pages for each game show correct answers as well as questions. Sounds good, right?

Where to begin? Text is often too small, lacks contrast, or is in a nearly unreadable font. Tutorials -- the app's best feature -- aren't integrated and are easy for kids to overlook, plus they don't address any of the mental math strategies kids need to do the multi-digit calculations the games require. Tests are tedious, have confusing instructions, and include skills the games don't address. All that aside, the games just aren't engaging. A weird quirk: multiple choices for Hungry Monster allow players to calculate only the rightmost digit to get an answer. Feedback on the baseball mini-game is unintuitive, with correct answers resulting in a strike and incorrect answers earning a home run. Finally, the female avatar has her hands on classically cocked hips tossing her head back suggestively. Strangely, she and the male avatar don't even figure into the games at all, which feature some other boy pitching a baseball at an alien or saving a girl from an alien by lowering a ladder -- a girl who happens to be hunched over and completely inactive. Ouch!