Mathematica [Computer software]. (2007). Wolfram Research, Inc., 100 Trade Center Drive, Champaign, IL 61820-7237.
 http://www.wolfram.com  Accessed July 20, 2008.

Tel: 1-800-965-3726 to purchase

Description: From the website:

"Mathematica--[is] not just for computation but for modeling, simulation, visualization, development, documentation, and deployment." Create fully interactive applications.  It is the "ultimate technical computing environment." 

"Version 6.0 adds nearly a thousand new functions—almost doubling the total number of functions in the system—dramatically increasing both the breadth and depth of Mathematica's capabilities."

Math Advantage 2008 [Computer software]. (2008). Encore Software, Inc., 16920 South Main Street, Gardena, CA 90248. http://www.encoresoftware.com/ Accessed July 18, 2007.

Tel: 1-310-768-1800

Description:

Math Advantage has been available for several years with 2008 being the newest version (http://www.encoresoftware.com/product.aspx?ProductID=74591) to support state standards and to supplement your math curriculum.  The product includes Basic Math, Pre-Algebra, Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus, Calculus, Statistics.  It "adapts to different learning styles and levels, tracks progress with quizzes and tests".

Math Amigo [Software for Handheld Units]. Valiant Technology. Available: Valiant USA, PO Box 639, Forest Park, IL 60130. http://www.valiant-technology.com/index.php    Accessed July 18, 2007.

Correlations: not available

Tel: 1-888-366-6628 (Toll free)

Grades: 1-8

Description: Math Amigo (http://www.valiant-technology.com/us/pages/mahome.php)  is drill and practice software for handheld units, which has supporting desktop management software to help monitor student progress.  Curriculum for grades 1-8 is addressed from counting through pre-algebra.   Students can work at their pace with individualized activities.  There is automatic marking with instant feedback.  The system tracks student performance and adjusts question difficulty to meet student needs.  Tutorials help students to develop concepts and methods.  The Teacher Alerts and analysis features draw attention to those who need additional help and suggest how to provide it.

This software is listed among Best Software for Teaching Basic Math Literacy in eSchool News' 2005 Readers Choice Awards.

Math Arena [Computer software]. (1999). Sunburst Technology Corporation, Customer Service: 1550 Executive Drive, Elgin, IL 60123.  http://store.sunburst.com/  Accessed July 18, 2007.

Correlations: NCTM standards. Available at http://store.sunburst.com/Curriculum.aspx

Tel: 1-800-321-7511

Grades: 4-10

Description: Math Arena titles, designed for grades 4-10, is a multiple award winning program, including the international prestigious 2001 Bologna New Media Prize in the Best Educational Software category. It is a fast-action, graphics intense, sound-filled, highly interactive CD that focuses on problem solving. Twenty activities allow students to sharpen their skills in a training center, and then compete in the arena with up to three others.  Concepts include angles, coordinate graphing, transformational geometry, circle graphs, Venn diagrams, symmetry, addition, multiplication, equivalent fractions, percents, money and percent of change, number sequences, and probability.  Even adults will find this program interesting and fun.

An advanced version allows students in grades 7-10 to work with functions, formulas, order of operations, identify equations to solve word problems, estimate, and match spreadsheets to data charts.  

Math Blaster Series [Computer software]. (1997-2007). Sunburst Technology Corporation, Customer Service: 1550 Executive Drive, Elgin, IL 60123. http://store.sunburst.com/   Accessed July 18, 2007.

Correlations: NCTM standards. 

Tel: 1-800-321-7511 

Grades: preK-9

Description: See Sunburst's catalog for detailed descriptions of each level of Math Blaster or visit Knowledge Adventure School at http://www.kaschool.com/catalog/cat03.aspx 

This product was developed by Knowledge Adventure (formerly Davidson) and is available by age groups 4-6, 5-7, 6-8, and 9-12.   According to Sunburst, the Math Blaster Series develop PreK-9 students’ ability to handle math problems of increasing difficulty.  It also develops students’ critical-thinking and problem-solving skills. The programs provide core curriculum content through comprehensive lessons and activities, which provide students a complete curriculum review.  Graphics throughout are very engaging.

Other products in the Blaster series include Math Blaster Pre-algebra (1997) and Math Blaster Algebra (1997), which can also address needs of adult learners.

Math Blaster Algebra [Computer software]. (1997-2007). Sunburst Technology Corporation, Customer Service: 1550 Executive Drive, Elgin, IL 60123. http://store.sunburst.com/  Accessed July 18, 2007.

Correlations: NCTM standards

Tel: 1-800-321-7511 

Grades: 7 and up

Description: See Sunburst's catalog for Math Blaster Algebra or visit Knowledge Adventure School at http://www.kaschool.com/catalog/cat03.aspx 

Math Blaster Algebra is suitable for grades 7-adult.  It contains six activities that cover an entire year of algebra. Curriculum includes order of operations, factoring and integers, solving systems of equations, inequalities, and an exploration of linear and quadratic equations, including their graphs. Tutorials and word problems are included. A glossary and algebra tile tools explain hundreds of algebraic terms and allow students to see algebra concepts.

Math Concepts and Skills SuccessMaker 2 [Computer software]. (2008). Mesa, AZ: Pearson Education Technologies. http://www.pearsondigital.com/   Accessed April 18, 2008.

Correlations: 100% NCTM standards

Tel: 1-877-338-3241

Description:  Math Concepts and Skills 2 is one of the SuccessMaker Enterprise courses. It is for grades K-8 and contains 16 content strands in computation and applications. The product is designed to help meet challenges of No Child Left Behind.

Additional program description from SuccessMaker Software materials:

Math Concepts and Skills 2 contains over 1600 learning objectives for K-8 mathematics that emphasize development of basic skills and concepts and promotes the use of higher-order thinking skills needed to pass state mandated tests. There is a teacher management system that adapts the courseware to each student. Lessons are individualized based on student's demonstrated strengths and weaknesses in each skill area. A general tutorial presents instruction and examples of how to work exercises. Additional help completes the current exercise as an example. A glossary contains numerous mathematical terms. Audio repeat enables students to listen to the last message again. A toolbox includes a ruler, measuring tape, protractors, and a calculator available for all appropriate exercises.

Measures of Academic Progress [Computerized assessment]. (2006). The Northwest Evaluation Association.  Main office: 5885 SW Meadows Road, Suite 200, Lake Oswego, OR 97035.  http://www.nwea.org/index.asp Accessed July 19, 2007.

Correlations:  aligned to state standards

Tel: 503-624-1951

Grades: 1-10

Description: From the website:

Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) is a state-aligned computerized adaptive assessment program for mathematics, reading, language usage, and science.  Norm-referenced results can be used to identify skills and concepts that students have learned, diagnose instructional needs, monitor academic growth over time independent of grade level or age, make data-driven decisions, and place new students in instructional programs.  Students can be tested up to four times a year.  The program accommodates students with special needs; the test is not timed and the program can read questions aloud.

Other products include MAP for mathematics with Spanish audio, and MAP for grades K-2 in mathematics and reading.

The NWEA conducts state testing studies to link their assessments to state proficiency standards.

Mighty Math Astro Algebra [Computer software]. (1997). Edmark Software, Riverdeep, Inc., 500 Redwood Blvd., Novato, CA. 94947. http://www.riverdeep.net/ Accessed July 19, 2007.

Correlations:  NCTM standards

Tel: 1-800-825-4420 or School Sales 888-242-6747

Grades: 7-9

Description: From the website, see Products and Offerings:

Astro Algebra teaches algebra and problem-solving skills and is appropriate for grades 7-9.  Students captain the Algebra Centauri spaceship. Traveling through the galaxy, meet alien species and use algebra to help them out of predicaments. Four crew-members help students to understand, strategize, calculate and check their work. The program contains tools to graph functions; work with exponents; and translate between fractions, decimals and percents. Students move unique Virtual Manipulatives called VariaBlox to visually represent algebraic expressions, and surf the AstroNet to find out more about specific algebra topics. Help is available at each stage of the problem-solving process.

Concepts include solving for variables; expressions, equations and inequalities; functions; graphing on a number line and coordinate grid; ratios and proportions; slope and intercepts; fractions, decimals, percents and exponents; problem solving and reasoning; and algebra terminology and notation.

Award winning: 1998 Best Software in Middle School/Junior High: Math -- ComputED Learning Lab's EDDIE Awards.

Key statements from the Educational Software Institute's SuperKids product review: http://www.superkids.com/aweb/pages/reviews/math/algebra/1/astro/merge.shtml Accessed July 19, 2007.

Astro Algebra does not provide basic, step-by-step math lessons. Instead, the program offers a sequence of 90+ missions that cover pre-algebra and algebra concepts. Each mission focuses on a specific topic, and attempts to consolidate the student’s understanding of that topic. Unfortunately, the program’s teaching tool, the AstroNet, is only loosely linked to the missions, providing generic animated demonstrations and examples for students who need help with the math involved in their current mission. Parents or teachers can track students' progress. The grow scale automatically advances students when sufficient successful solutions are entered, or can be used to focus the user on certain math skills.

According to the SuperKids review, student reviewers submitted mixed views of the program’s graphics and theme. Older (9th grade) reviewers found the alien-rescuer theme overly juvenile, while younger students, boys in particular, were intrigued by the virtual spaceship and felt that the missions helped maintain their interest in a potentially dull subject. Overall, Astro Algebra provides fun math skills practice and concept reinforcement for students who get it. Students struggling with basic concepts may require more supportive instructional assistance.

Mighty Math Cosmic Geometry [Computer software]. (1997). Edmark Software, Riverdeep, Inc., 500 Redwood Blvd., Novato, CA. 94947. http://www.riverdeep.net/ Accessed July 19, 2007.

Correlations:  NCTM standards

Tel: 1-800-825-4420 or School Sales 888-242-6747

Grades: 7-10

Description: From the website, see Products and Offerings:

Cosmic Geometry includes geometry concepts and skills for students in grades 7-10.  Polyhedral characters such as Dodeca and Hexa guide students on their exploration of Planet Geometry. Concepts include problem solving and reasoning; shapes and solids; constructions and transformations; 2D and 3D coordinates; length, perimeter, area and angles; surface area and volume; geometric terminology and notation; solving for unknowns; symmetry; and mathematical elements of art.

Award winning: 1997 Districts' Choice Award--Curriculum Administrator.

Moogie Math [Computer software]. (1997-2007). Emanuel Software, PO Box 281, Hayesville, OH 44838. http://emanuelsoftware.com/ Accessed July 19, 2007.  Email: moogie@emanuelsoftware.com  

Correlations: Originally designed exclusively for the Ohio 9th Grade Math Proficiency Test, Moogie Math has now been expanded, by request, for the Ohio 4th and 6th Grade and HSGQE Math Proficiency Tests, the Texas TAAS/TEKS Exit Level Math Test, the Indiana ISTEP+ 10 Exit Test, the Florida HSCT, the Nevada 4th and 6th Grade Preparations, the Nevada High School Proficiency Exam, the NCTM 4th and 6th Grade Standards, and the NCTM High school standards.  Users can select their corresponding database of objectives and instructional targets.

Tel Toll free:  1-877-766-6443

Developer: Joseph Emanuel

Description: From the website:

Moogie Math is drill and diagnostic software: the standard version and Moogie Math Plus. CD-ROM is available.  Moogie Math covers arithmetic, measurement, data analysis, geometry, and algebra. Millions of questions are available because the numbers always change with each use.  Moogie Math Plus allows teachers to create unlimited worksheets and practice tests. In the latest version, teachers can select the objectives for their students to cover.

Students receive instant feedback. Multimedia incorporates rewards, graphics, and sounds for added incentives. Teacher controlled password protection is provided for student security. Flexible teacher management tools provide group and classroom reporting, complete logging of student activity and progress.

The program displays objectives' mastery to instantly see trouble spots and shows the confidence level of scores for each strand. Formula charts are available for extra help and reinforcement; helpful tips guide students to solving problems on their own. Teachers can print concise, informative, professional reports.

Moogie is now available to students and teachers through their browsers as an Internet application.  The URL of the new site is http://emanuelsoftware.com/default_net.asp 

NorthStar Math [Online software]. (2006). Harcourt Achieve,  Cust Serv. 5th Fl, 6277 Sea Harbor Dr., Orlando, FL 32887. Available at http://www.harcourtachieve.com/en-US/northstarmath Accessed July 19, 2007.  Email:

Correlations: NCTM standards

Tel: Customer Service 1-800-284-7019

Grades: 3-12

Description: NorthStar Math is designed for students in grades 3-12.  It offers over 4 million problems correlated to standards, differentiated assessment and practice, step-by-step solutions, and report generating features. 

Research has been conducted to demonstrate the potential of the product to raise achievement.  See the research brief at http://www.harcourtachieve.com/NR/rdonlyres/C7C1AE91-D0A9-421B-AFD8-6BC67420FE49/0/NorthStar_Research_web.pdf   

Odyssey Math [Computer software]. (2006). CompassLearning, Inc., 203 Colorado Street, Austin, TX. http://www.compasslearning.com Accessed July 19, 2007.

Correlations: NCTM standards

Tel: 1-800-232-9556

Grades: K-12

Description:

Odyssey Math is a comprehensive standards-based, browser-based solution for students in kindergarten through high school. Odyssey Math incorporates activities aligned with state and national standards and meets the guidelines of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and National Assessment of Educational Progress.  Among features are:

• tools such as calculators, notebooks, glossary, rulers, clocks, protractors, base ten blocks, thermometers, and more.
• exploratory, hands-on activities; real world simulations; and open-ended questions.
• a spiraled curriculum that allows learners to build on their prior knowledge, from basic number sense to more complex Algebra and Geometry concepts.
• connections to the real world and other subjects, providing students with the answer to "Why do I need to know this?" or "When will I ever use this?"
• support for self-study as well as teacher directed learning.
  

Optimum [Computer software]. (1997-2007). Photonics Graphics, 2244 Park Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45206. http://www.optimumtest.com Accessed July 20, 2007.  Email:  info@optimumtest.com 

Correlations: Ohio , Illinois , and New Jersey State Department of Education Guidelines, and NCTM standards

Tel: 1-888-548-4440 x 107

Grades: 3-5, 9-12

Description: From the web site:

Optimum for Elementary Math  (Grades 3, 4, & 5) was designed to assist teachers and parents in reviewing grade appropriate math topics, while helping to assess areas that need additional intervention. The standards addressed in this program include Number & Operations, Measurement, Geometry, Algebra & Patterns and Data Analysis & Probability.  Each grade (3rd, 4th, and 5th) has 275 math questions: 5 mixed drills, 5 single standard drills, and 1 section with 25 open-ended questions. Explanations of answers with voice and on-screen text are given on multiple-choice questions, while sample solutions are given for open-ended questions.  Multiple-choice questions are also computer graded, with sub-grading by standard.  The administrative component permits teachers to track student scores.

Optimum for the Ohio Graduation Test (OGT) is an interactive program for students to prepare for Ohio’s 10th grade state assessment test. Practice tests and questions in subject areas are aligned with the Ohio Department of Education’s guidelines and mirrors the actual OGT test. It will help students build familiarity and confidence before taking the OGT so they can perform their best! It is also an effective intervention tool to help determine where a student needs further work.

Optimum for Assessment Test Preparation: CD-ROMs are available in customized versions for Ohio, Illinois and New Jersey. Optimum programs are interactive and assist students’ preparation for state assessment testing (proficiency testing). Practice tests and questions in subject areas are aligned with State Department of Education guidelines.