Review: MathGalaxy

Did I mention before that the TOS Homeschool Crew has been getting a lot of math programs to try out this year? The newest one to come along is MathGalaxy.

MathGalaxy is produced by Galaxy of Education. They have created software programs to help K-12 students learn from whole numbers up to algebra. The creators call it "your own personal math tutor."

The above screen shot is from their Whole Numbers program and shows how that premise works. Each problem is show on a plain screen. The student is shown how the answer is achieved and it helps them if need be. They continue working through each problem. Games and riddles are included in each level as well. They are also sold separately.

Each level comes with more than enough options to keep a child learning. Here is the sample menu from their fraction level:

Here's what my boys had to say:
B13 said: "It was okay." When prompted...[Compared to some of the other math programs we've used this year?] ...he said, "It's good. I like it."  [Your favorite part and why?] "The robot. It was fun and challenging."

N8 had this to say: "I didn't really like. It was too boring. It's not as fun as [another program we're using]."

While the TOS Crew were given the products as downloads, MathGalaxy sells them as CD's. This allows the user to load them to any computer they wish and as many children as you would like may use them. The cost is $29.95 $24.95 $19.95 (newly reduced) per level with free shipping. MathGalaxy sells:

• Whole Numbers Fun
• Fractions Fun
• Decimals, Proportions, % Fun
• Word Problems Fun
• Pre-Algebra Fun
• Algebra Fundamentals
• Whole Numbers Worksheet Generator
• Fractions Worksheet Generator
• Decimals, Proportions, % Worksheet Generator
• Algebra Worksheet Generator
• Whole Number Riddles eBook ($14.95 $12.95 $9.95- newly reduced)
• Fractions Riddle eBook ($14.95 $12.95 $9.95- newly reduced)

All eBooks are pdf files and all worksheet generators do include printables.

Overall I have to admit that this wasn't my favorite of the math programs that the TOS Crew has looked at thus far. However, every child learns differently. As you can see by my own boys - one liked it and one didn't. I did, however, like how the problems were broken down and the child shown how to arrive at that answer. I can see the benefits of this and may revisit the use of it more fully in the future.

Be sure to head over to MathGalaxy and try out the programs yourself. The main page has samples of every level and can be launched right from there. Also be sure to check out all the other reviews by fellow Crew members at the TOS Homeschool Crew blog.

**Updated May 3rd...Math Galaxy has once again reduced the price of their products. The math tutorial software is now $19.95 per level. The ebooks are now $9.95. **

*Disclaimer: I was not paid for this review. All opinions shared are my own. TOS Crew Members are given the product free of charge in exchange for our unbiased opinion of the product.