Times Test

The purpose of this app is threefold: 1) as an assessment tool. In less than five minutes the teacher, parent and student have a snapshot of how fluent the student is with multiplication facts. 2) as a learning tool. The app can be used to introduce the multiplication facts. 3) to help students practice basic multiplication facts and track their progress toward ever greater fluency. How It Works: When a student’s name is added to the list of students, a new record is created for that student. After that, every time that student taps on their name they will begin a drill. The first time through the student will be presented multiplication fact in a certain pattern in this order: 0 x 0, 0 x 1, 1 x 1, 0 x 2, 1 x 2, 2 x 2, 0 x 3, 1 x 3, 2 x 3, 3 x 3, … 8 x 9, 9 x 9. When the student gets to 9 X 9 successfully, the drill resets, then repeats the same pattern except that the problems in each number group are presented randomly. For example, multiplication by 4 will still occur after multiplication by 3, but 0 X 4, 1 X 4, 2 X 4, 3 X 4, and 4 X 4 will now be scrambled and presented in a random order. If the student made five or more mistakes they repeat in order, but once a student completes the Order drill with fewer than five mistakes they will be advanced to the Random drill, and they will start with the Random drill each time they return. As each fact is presented the student taps a digit to answer. If the student selects correctly the correct answer will display and they can press “Next Problem” to continue to the next problem. If they choose an incorrect response the correct answer appears in purple and remains until they press the correct digit, which will then appear in green. (Note: most of my math programs follow a color coding of displaying ones in green, tens in blue, and hundreds in red.) When all fifty-five problems have been completed the student can end this day’s work, or begin again for more practice. Whatever place a student decides to end practice, their progress will be recorded. The next time they open the app for practice they will begin again with 0 X 0. Use this App for Assessment: Since when a student presses the wrong digit the correct digit is displayed in purple until the correct digit is pressed, the entire 55 facts (9 X 3 and 3 x 9 are considered to be the same) can be done in less than 5 minutes even if every problem is answered incorrectly. It only takes longer if the student, rather than relying on memory, 'thinks' about problems too often. The number of correct answers along with the number of problems attempted and elapsed time are recorded for later review. Use the App for Learning: When a student is first learning multiplication manipulatives can be employed in a way that directly mirrors the app's presentation. Each time working through the problems presented by the app after the problem has been illustrated by the manipulatives. Use the App for Practice: Because it takes a relatively short time to complete all 55 problems and because the app keeps a record for the three most recent sessions, it is a great tool for students to practice with minimal pressure. Add Fun and Incentive: Points are awarded for: the number of correct responses, and for completing an entire practice with fewer than five mistakes - the fewer the mistakes the higher the score. There is also a 'bonus' for completing a practice in under 4 minutes, and even more points for completing a practice in under 3 minutes 30 seconds. This is just for fun but a teacher or parent may use it to incentivize practice!