| Name of Software | Disney's MathQuest with Aladdin | |
| Software Publisher | Disney Interactive | |
| System Requirements | PC:
Microsoft Windows 95/98 486 processor, 66MHz or fast 16 MB RAM 25 MB free hard disk space 2x CD-ROM drive 8 bit sound card 256 color DirectX-compatible video card Standard AT-101 keyboard and mouse |
Macintosh:
68040/33 processors or faster System 7.1 or later 16MB RAM 25MB free hard disk space 2x CD-ROM drive 256 color video display Standard keyboard and mouse |
| Cost | $9.99 | |
| Grade Level | 1st-3rd | |
| Content Area | Mathematics. Covers addition, subtraction, estimation, sorting and classifying, mental computation, logical reasoning, problem solving, number sense, patterns, geometry. | |
| Description | Based on Disney's movie "Aladdin," the student joins with the familiar characters from the movie in order to complete a journey by solving a variety of mathematical problems integrated into the story along the way. | |
| Full Review | This program is a fun and exciting tool for kids to practice their math skills. Together with the
characters from the movie, the children move through the town of Agrabah looking for clues on
how to save Aladdin from the evil genie Bizarrah. In order to get the clues, or move on to the next
challenge, they must first solve a mathematical problem. The difficulty of the math problem
increases with each task solved, and there are three difficulty levels to chose from.
This software is a very useful asset for kids. It presents math in form of a game, or a challenge and thus makes it less daunting for the less logically and analytically minded student, while still keeping allowing for those more comfortable in math to be challenged as well. The characters, all of them familiar from the movie, help to make the student even more comfortable. They receive advice and encouragement from Genie and the others as they travel on their journey to save Aladdin and restore the Bizarrah to the lamp. Genie, Iago and Abu, the student's companions relieve tension with jokes and funny antics. There's more than one way to get to the end, however, whichever way the student chooses, they are confronted with the same set types of problems. They're unable to avoid any given problem (perhaps one that they don't like) if they wish to finish the quest. The help features are very handy and easy to comprehend. The student can click to hear the problem described again, or if confused, Genie or Iago will remind the student after awhile on how to get help. Also, there is a special help section that addresses the parents and teachers only, describing the software and its various features. The game has a save feature, which allows for the student to come back to it later, or to continue on the journey and solve particular problems as they are covered in class. Also, it allows a student to return to a puzzle they might have enjoyed especially and want to try again, or even a type of problem they would like to practice for a test. Turning mathematics into a journey with fun(ny) characters to help along the way and making it seem more like a game is a great way to secretly teach kids. My cousin purchased this software for her daughter who abhors math, but loves Disney. It was the perfect solution as it makes math less abstract to her, and certainly more entertaining. | |
| Examples of use | This program would be a great asset to the student at home to practice and hone the skills they
learned in class. At home they would have plenty of time to deal with the problem, there would be
less pressure, and also, they would be able to interact or respond more to the antics and comments
of the characters, which might not always be possible in the classroom.
Another possibility to use this particular software would be as an introduction to a new topic. If sufficient computers are on-hand the teacher could send the students to the computers and direct them to a particular math problem that they will be covering in class, making it a fun and non-threatening introduction to the new topic. Finally, it might be used as a method of review, perhaps combined as a reward. If students finish an in-class assignment early or do particularly well on a quiz etc. they might be allowed computer time to use on the respective part of the quest. | |