How the Quarter Mile Math Program Works

Format. Problems appear one at a time. Your goal is to answer them as fast as you can. Each time you enter the answer correctly, your dragster or horse will go faster. You race against your five previous best races which are replayed on screen-six lanes with six dragsters or six riderless horses in all. The sooner you reach the finish line, the better your score will be. (You can switch between riderless horses and dragsters between races.)

Scores. Your score is your "elapsed time" for the race. It's based on how quickly you answer the problems AND how many you answer. The more you race, the faster you'll be able to answer the problems. We've found that players can ALWAYS improve! And as you do, your elapsed time will become shorter. (Races last between thirty seconds and 2 1/2 minutes depending on the difficulty of the topic.)

Comparing and saving scores. The program displays your "top five average" elapsed time. This is the number to watch! You can compare your current "top five average" with your previous top five averages from previous racing sessions (and print that list out). If you wish, you can compare yourself with others playing in that topic. (That's why this program is tailor-made for tournaments! See page 7 for details.) There are additional saving options and many more features.

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BENEFITS

• Students' computer time is highly productive with this program; they will do a lot of math in a short period of time in very focused topics! The students' only job is to accelerate their car or horse by answering math problems as fast as they can. They are not required to do anything that would divert their attention such as steering the dragster or horse.
• Students learn at their maximum rate with this highly motivating format. No other program enables students to do as much math per minute for such extended periods of time. After each race, the student checks his or her score. The student is in control as to when the next race starts. (Students normally start the next race as soon as possible.) This balance of answering problems and resting between races keeps them refreshed, enabling them to play, often for hours at a time.
• Uniquely effective for the broadest range of students: special education, gifted, on grade level, below grade level, Title 1 , even adults! The Quarter Mile is in wide use by students of ALL levels-from the math lovers to "I hate math" kids.

  "Cream of the Crop" Annual Technology Review Instructor Magazine

  The program can be used for remediation for elementary school, middle school, high school and adult students.
• Students never get bored waiting for the computer to catch up to them. When the student answers a problem correctly, the next one appears instantly. In some cases, our programs provide the first opportunity for accelerated students to be truly "challenged."
• Builds confidence quickly. This is so important in doing math. This confidence and knowledge of math-from the simplest facts on up-is a necessary preparation for higher-order thinking skills. Just as music students must practice their scales before they can play compositions, likewise, students must have a basic knowledge of math facts and concepts and a level of confidence to help them develop strong higher-order thinking skills. Unlike doing scales, however, kids "beg" to use the Quarter Mile programs!
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FEATURES

• Pace set by the player. As the player types in the correct answer to the first problem, his car or horse takes off and the next problem appears. Then the game proceeds only as fast as the player is able to provide the answers -- the program waits for the player.
• Early rewards. Because the initial competitors are designed to be very slow, the student usually wins his first races. These rewards motivate the student to continue.
• Achievable progress. One by one the slow opponents are replaced by the player's own previous best races. After five races, the player is racing only against himself-replays of his previous best five races. The competition increases but is never greater than the player's own best performances. Self-competition creates a comfort level that encourages the student to keep playing and improving his performance.
• Focused practice and monitored progress. The teacher can have a student work on a specific skill level by choosing a very focused, skill-specific topic. Then the teacher can track the student's progress day by day.
• Constant positive reinforcement. The Quarter Mile is filled with rewards-no penalties or other discouraging features. The cars or horses never slow down because of a wrong answer. The player is never told he "lost" a race. He can only win, come in second, third, etc., and he is praised or encouraged for his efforts.
• Confidence and self-esteem built through achievement. As mentioned above, the program registers even the smallest improvement which would be imperceptible if the student was using any other media. The player will come in first if he can beat his previous fastest race, even by the smallest time increment. These successes continue to build the confidence and self-esteem that is so important to his progress and healthy development.

  All Star Award Children's Software Review

• Active learning. As the player works to win his next race and improve his scores, he is learning his math facts through concentrated drill, and he is enjoying the process.
• Shared activity-individual pace and progress. Inasmuch as each student plays independently, players of all skill levels can enjoy the Quarter Mile side by side without feeling intimidated or influenced by each other.
• Attention span and endurance. Students can use it as long as they want. However, most races are short, usually less than one minute. So, the student can stop at any time and resume his work in a topic later, picking up right where he left off.
• Stimulation control. Sound effects which enhance the activity for some can be too stimulating for others. These can be reduced or turned off.
• Long term gains. The continuous drill provided by the Quarter Mile necessarily improves the player's retention of math facts. Thus, he is able to apply these improved skills and realize his maximum potential.
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When you’re teaching students with dyslexia, you need all the tools you
can get, whether it’s Ultimate Phonics Reading Software, WordQ Writing
Software, SpeakQ Dictation Software or Quarter Mile Math Software.

 

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