Math 911 (Schoolhouse Review)

Math 911 is math software designed for students who struggle with mastering math skills. It uses a mastery approach that does not penalize students for incorrect answers, but allows them to work at each concept until it is mastered.

The Introductory Algebra course may be downloaded for free at Math 911. It is a full introductory algebra course. Topics are arranged by chapter, section and levels. Within each level are all the types of problems that identify the concepts that your students must know in order to be successful in algebra including graphs and word Problems.

• All problems are algorithmically generated.

• 10 minute learning curve.

• Step by Step solutions.

• Only Free-form answers.

• Dynamic Grade reports on all screens.

• Needs no internet connection.

• Can be networked.

• Free Home Use For Teachers

• Free Upgrades

• Free Install on New PCs

An upgrade to the Premier Version ($49.95) includes access to these additional courses: intermediate algebra, statistics, trigonometry, college algebra, and pre-calculus! I can’t attest to the completeness of the upper level courses, since we didn’t spend time with them, but there is definitely a LOT of practice material included in this one program!

The problem is printed at the bottom of the page. The student types the answer into the box. When a sufficient number of correct answers have been given in a section, then that section is marked as mastered. For each problem, a step-by-step solution is provided if the student needs help.

A chart shows the student’s progress.

Our Thoughts: The first thing I noticed was that the program was very simple in appearance. It actually looks like an old DOS program. (The website also has an outdated feel.) This didn’t seem to bother Emily, though, who likes the program and is progressing rapidly through the first sections.

I would hesitate to call it a “full program”  because no actual teaching is done, although it definitely has the content of a full program. If the student doesn’t know how to work a problem, his only option is to study the solution to figure out how it is done. I think most students would require actual teaching before working a new type of problem.  The website does have free downloadable pdf’s for algebra that teach the concepts, but these teaching helps are not provided for the upper level courses. It does seem very thorough, though, and would be an excellent no-frills practice program.

I think that the price of $49.95 is a bargain for the huge amount of content—five high school level math courses!

Disclaimer: As a member of the TOS Crew, I received  this software  free in order to write this review. All opinions are my own.