Last week 250 more kids learned to have fun with math by downloading MathSpinK for free to their wireless application via iTunes. MathSpinK is only one of several K-12 education tools offered by iHome Educator, and downloaded by users the world over.
“It’s crazy to think that our little apps with the kid’s voices and designs are touching the hearts of children around the world,” says Andy, co-founder of iHome Educator. He describes himself as the “behind the scenes, part-time hobby-programming—dad.”
Andy’s wife, Arlene, is a full-time homeschooling mom and CEO of iHome Educator.
The cool mobile applications were developed by this mom and dad team while teaching their own children math concepts. It was just a matter of time before word got out about the product and requests started pouring in by learning hungry customers.
Today the couple’s 11 year old is the organization’s Quality Assurance Engineer, and has the fine job of testing the product and developing new ideas. The younger siblings, ages 3 and 5, represent the end-users as testers of the products. It is safe to say these youngsters are learning more than math skills by being involved in the family’s joint business and education venture.
Andy and Arlene home school their children in partnership with Horizon Charter School (California). This charter school serves approximately 2,900 students with a personalized learning approach which targets student’s interests, abilities, and aptitudes. Horizon Charter School provides each of its students with a range of educational pathways, including home based independent study programs, academies, cooperatives, and Montessori options.
MathSpinK, 1, 2, and 3 are currently available for iPhone and iPod Touch.
For more info:
www.iHomeEducator.com
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Comments
What concepts does it teach? What is the target age?
Scott, This particular app teaches basic math skills. There are several available. New apps are being developed to teach presidents (looking forward to this one), social studies and other concepts. Take a while around the ihomeeducator website for more information.
Thank you Karin!
Scott,
Thank you for asking:
MathSpinK is primarily counting and we may enhance it in the future to focus on patterns/sequences.
MathSpin 1 is primarily addition and subtraction for 1st grade and higher. The version 1.1 update added Chinese and Mayan numbers which provides an interesting twist as now we can introduce culture and it could be leveraged even with higher grades like 5th and 6th grade.
MathSpin2 is Multiplication and Division and is more 2nd and 3rd grade. We plan to update this in the next month with some more features.
MathSpin3 is Greater Than, Less Than, Equal to and is a combination of 6 different comparison drills. This is probably for 4th Grade and higher. Our 6th grader and even adults may like to test themselves on speed and accuracy.
Finally we have a series of other ideas and updates that we would like to get to as we vet them with our kids.
Thank you!
www.iHomeEducator.co
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