Do you have a child that is struggling with their times tables? Times Tables the Fun Way presents Times Alive, a fun, online program that makes learning the times tables from 0-9 fun and easy. We were given 3 months access to the Instant Times Alive Software for this review.
Based on their popular book, Times Tables the Fun Way!, this software program uses pictures and stories to help children memorise the multiplication facts. It is designed to be used on one computer at a time, but can be used with multiple students, each with their own login. It will also track each individuals progress.
To use this program you will need:
- an internet connection
- 400mhz or greater
- 128 MB of RAM or greater
- speakers
- mouse
- video at 1024×768 or greater
- It will work on an iPad with a flash app
- The set-up cost is $6.95, with a monthly cost of just $9.95/mth.
How did we go?
This program was very easy to set up. At the beginning, each student will complete an evaluation test which tests their accuracy and speed. Our boys did quite well on this test as you can see in the picture below. (This was B’s results).
Navigating was very simple, the tests are all self marking, so once I showed the boys how to login, I was able to leave them on their own. The program kept track of their scores, the date they were completed and the time they took to complete them. If also remembered where they were up to, so they could resume the next time they logged in.
As you can see in the lesson list above, this child has completed the first five lessons and is about to start lesson six.
Included in the 18 lessons, the students will complete a variety of activities such as interactive games, colouring pages and quizzes while watching animated stories and listening to songs. Each lesson starts with a story, which is presented as a picture animation. This is followed by a song which reinforces the facts that were presented in the story. After this is a game or an activity that is also associated with the story. Below is a picture of one of the animations.
At first, our boys were not really keen on using this program. Our oldest boy knows his multiplication, so this program was used more as review for him. Our youngest boy struggles with some of them, so this is who I really wanted to use the program. After completing just the first few lessons, this child came to me and said that he was really surprised. In his own words:
‘This program is actually working and I am remembering my times tables.’
Then he went on to show me all the math facts he had learnt so far.
The progress report is a great way to see how your child is going. In the picture above, you can see that our youngest boy has completed the tests in lessons four and five, with a score of 100%. It also tells you the date he completed the tests, how many questions he answered and how long it took him to answer the questions.
Overall, our boys have loved using this program and we have seen a great improvement in such a short time. This times table curriculum could easily be completed in a month subscription. The stories/songs are entertaining and really stick in your head. The ‘progress checks’ throughout really help reinforce and help children retain the math facts.
If you have a child that is really struggling with their multiplication math facts, this program might be the answer you are looking for. If you wish to watch a short sample lesson, check out this 6×6 one on their Website.
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