School administrators are responsible for choosing the type of curriculum taught to children. As long as they are learning, the curriculum is considered effective. Using computer games as a tool is one option available to today’s schools.

There are both similarities and differences between the new computerized programs and the former method of writing in math workbooks, tearing out the pages and turning them in.

While the newer method does require computer access for every child, most schools now have that capability. As children do more hands-on learning on computers and less in books, these programs are capable of reaching them on a level they can understand.

For example, some programs use incentive tools similar to those found in video games. Each time a child completes a satisfactory score on a worksheet, the program congratulates them and gives them a score. With each level, the score increases. After a certain number of points, the student reaches a named level, such as captain or commodore.

At the end of all levels, children are greeted by a celebration and encouraged by a computer voice to change topics.

Some have a time limit to complete tasks, much like a game. If the math problems are not completed in time, a buzzer sounds indicating that they are out of time. This raises the competitive level from simply completing tasks to competing for how quickly they can do it, and do it correctly.

Elementary math is the building block on more complex topics that students must learn for the future. From simple addition and subtraction to telling time, it is a fundamental knowledge base used throughout life. Computers are also a basic fundamental building block for the future. Math programs integrate both.

School administrators, teachers and parents are also able to use the computer-based programs much like the former means of checking math worksheets on students’ homework.

Computer based math practice problems are helpful in training children how to use math skills in real life while still using tried and true methods of testing. As with the old-school techniques, modern math programs also use multiple choice, fill in the blank and true or false questions to quiz students.