Ila Panik's Page

Mangahigh.com, ambitious new games-based math learning site, launches

UK-based mangahigh.com features free math games that go beyond mental arithmetic and help kids to enjoy practicing quadratic equations and trigonometry. The site has developed the most sophisticated math games yet seen on the Internet, and both students and teachers are likely to enjoy playing Pyramid Panic (geometry) and Flower Power (fractions ordering). Endorsed by well-known UK mathematician Marcus du Sautoy, the site also features Prodigi, an intriguing application that teaches math using worked examples. At launch, Prodigi does not cover 100% of the curriculum but it does offer many thousands of questions already.

The challenge for educators has been to find games that teach academic concepts in an entertaining way. Mangahigh.com looks to have been successful in balancing these two imperatives, and the games are 'true' math games in that the math is always intrinsic to the gameplay. The games also have academic achievements linked in to them. That is to say, if a student demonstrates mastery of a particular skill during gameplay (for example calculating the perimeter of a kite in Pyramid Panic), that achievement is then posted on their profile.

I can see that students would enjoy playing these games in class or as homework. Perhaps some of them might even play of their own accord?