I rarely review items, but have been telling friends and relatives to buy this, so I thought I would post. I love this product. This was the one thing that has worked for my kid to learn math facts. My ONLY negative thing to say about it is that the screen (as everyone says) is small and hard to read and the font looks like it is out of the beginning-computer-era.
I bought this online from Amazon for my child who needed to learn multiplication 'math facts' and hadn't mastered it yet and her class was moving on to more difficult things, upon which multiplication was a basis. I had tried flash cards and a ton of apps, some free and some for a fee, and nothing seemed to work - or the app would be fun, but not helpful to learning math facts.
I finally bought this after a tutor said that the only issue was just memorizing math facts - I suddenly realized that all the money for a math tutor was a lot more than just buying this educational toy.
I bought it and within a week, my child has almost completely mastered her multiplication 0 - 12. She already had about half those numbers down, but she was stuck on the other half. Every day, I make her use the math shark - she would rather do other less academic games, truthfully, but she is still willing and pretty happy to play on this product. I make her do different numbers alone (under the level1 or 2) and then the machine times her and I write the time down on a chart so that she can see how much better she is getting with each number she learns. The positive reinforcement and realization that this is actually FUN once you are good at math facts - has had a snow ball effect and her confidence and attitude about math has soared. I am truly happy - my child is almost caught up and I feel like this product really saved us and will make this academic year much easier. I am recommending it to everyone..
We haven't tried division yet, but that's next.
For future versions of the shark math, I think the company making it should update the screen (making it easier to read), should put in some 'memorization' function so that the machine keeps track of how fast kids are learning, and should make it easier to use, if possible (not impossible to use, but I did have to read over the directions). But all and all, I am very happy and relieved that we found this.
My daughter has only had this toy for a few weeks, but it was so fast at teaching, she memorized half the third grade time tables in one afternoon! It is awesome!
A reviewer complained that that you cannot change the contrast but you can. Just read the users manual. Another reviewer complained that if you make a mistake it will not show you the correct answer, but it does...right before it changes to the next problem it will display the correct answer for about two seconds. The problem will then recycle into the end of the game.
There is no way to adjust the volume...but there is a mute and a quiet setting. It does not matter if the sound is on or not, because it will only bother other people if they are holding it.
I will now explain the durability. My daughter dropped it a few times, and it still seems to be working fine. As far as the buttons go, they seem to be working fine. Just to make sure the keys functioned, every time you type a digit, check to see if it appeared before moving on to the next digit. This makes me have to say that even if they know the answers, a little kid could not use this, unless they did not get frustrated about having to check the digits.
Also, you should be aware, that it says it is a full function calcuator, but it is not really one. It is missing a memory.
A final problem is that, unlike the sounds, there is no way to shut the lights off. That is disappointing because the lights are very bright and will hurt the eye if you stare at them for a while.
If you want more information, read the user's manual after you purchase math shark. I hope I have helped you decide what to fill your shopping cart with.
I bought six and used these for several years with my third graders and made a data sheet for multiplication where they could record their time. When they reached my time goal for them individually in Level 2, they could go on to the next number to practice. When they reached all the goals for level 2, they were able to go to level three.I repeated this for division and all my students were ready for fourth grade with solid fact knowledge. Five minutes per day was all it took. I left these in my classroom when I retired. I now bought four more. Two for my GED students and two for my grandchildren.
So far I'm very pleased with this product. My 6 year old loves it and wants to play all the time--that alone is worth the money, regardless of the durability. And durability is why I give it 4 stars--I've read the reviews and am less than hopeful on its longetivity. However, when I first got it out of the box, I had the same problem as many reviewers--it came on but wouldn't work. When I opened the battery compartment I saw that the batteries were slightly buckled, I replaced them flat and voila, the MathShark worked. It seems like the battery compartment is just the tiniest bit too small for the batteries; if you're having a problem, try repositioning them. The screen is small and not that easy to read, but it doesn't seem to bother my child at all. It's basically like reading a calculator.
But other than that, it's great. I think my 9 year old will enjoy it too if he ever gets a chance and I love the fact that it has percentage/decimal options as well.
We also have MathSlam which is very sturdy but didn't interest my older child, plus it's so noisy I couldn't stand it. This toy is very quiet. MathSlam is also only good for add/sub whereas this is a toy that can grow with your child's emerging math skills...if it lasts that long.
All in all, I"m pleased with this purchase. Even if it breaks tomorrow, I feel my child has gotten enough out of it to make it worthwhile.
I sold these for years when I had my educational store. I gave one to my nephew who literal wore it out! I give them now to my grands. This tool is used to improve math facts and operations for + - '/. & X. I recommend it to everyone. You can play alone and challenge yourself to beat your own time. Or you can play against others. LOVE IT!
Feature Product
- MOTIVATE LITTLE LEARNERS! Master addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, decimals, and percentages with MathShark! Each skill has eight different levels and timed games, so kids are continually motivated to better their scores.
- EASY TO USE: Simply read the question on the screen and punch in the answer-MathShark provides immediate feedback, and even provides additional clues if you need them! A crystal-clear LCD screen displays problems horizontally and vertically!
- 2-IN-1 tool! Math Shark also converts to a full-function calculator! Grows with your child, supporting years of classroom learning.
- BEST SELLER: Way more fun than flash cards, this best-selling electronic game makes kids want to master math facts!
- REQUIRES 2 AA batteries (not included).
Description
Turns math into a game that quizzes 8 different skill levels in addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, decimals, and percentages. As they see their time improve, kids are continually motivated. Includes portable handheld device with LCD screen that clearly displays problems horizontally and vertically, and gives immediate feedback; help key provides additional clues for solving problems; converts to a full-function calculator. Requires 2 AA batteries (not included). Ages 6+.
I researched a lot of educational math devices, & I'm happy that I chose this one. What makes it different is that when the child gives an incorrect answer, the device gives the correct answer, so the child can learn from his mistakes. Then it gives similar problems, so the child can have more practice.
Love this product. Has all functions +, - , x, and / also fractions. We haven't tried them all really as my oldest is just 1st grade. But she will sit for an hour just doing the various levels of + & - as she loves math & this allows her to sit and practice and will grow with her. Yes, the display is small & likely could be updated - especially for the price. This could totally be cheaper than it is, but I'd buy again. Way more fun then flash cards and love it can be a basic calculator too.
My grandkids, ages 5-9, are happy to "play" with this and are increasing their math skills. I think the screen could be a little bigger, the print a little larger and definitely needs to be lit up better. also when you have completed a section it seems like you have to turn it off and restart the process to get to choose a different math skill or a higher level within the skill you have been doing. But the kids don't seem to be concerned about these issues, just me.
Every first grader should have their own math shark! It's the perfect tool for memorizing their math facts. Timing themselves each time instills their internal desire to beat that time the next day. Our family has used math sharks for early elementary mental math going into our second generation now. That's not all. This handy tool prepares students for math memorization beginning with one digit addition and subtraction and goes all the way to pre-algebra. Take a look. It's so worth the $40 to never have to teach your own child math again.
Thanks to the others who took the time to review this product, I decided to purchase it last November for a grandchild who was having difficulty with math facts and had been scoring very low on her weekly timed tests. The other reviewers indicated that the children's scores soared when using this toy. This is the amazing effect that I am now seeing happen for my grandchild. As soon as she started using the Math Shark, her tests jumped up to A's, completing all in the time allowed, whereas formerly she would only get half done with many errors. She forgot about it for awhile and her scores dropped back down. After starting to use it again, her scores are back up to A's. The Math Shark is a great investment for helping children succeed in school! I have just ordered another one for another grandchild. The price is also good for this kind of an item. The screen? Yes, it is dim for Grandma with aging eyes, but the children don't seem to have a problem with that at all.
Update, June, 2008: I have just ordered a third Math Shark for another grandchild who has just completed first grade and needs much help with his math skills. The first 2 grandchildren have enjoyed using it and have both claimed that it helped them tremendously. A wonderful educational tool!
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