The estimated reading time for this post is 4 minutes
If you’re a fan of fun ways to learn, then you’re probably a fan of educational apps. Jump! A Game of Numbers is a brand new app that helps children learn math skills in an entertaining and engaging story.
Unlike some other math apps that rely on memorization of math facts, Jump! shows math in the context of a story, helping children understand the purpose of their calculations. The game is fun and, well, addictive as you play, trying do your best to be the hero of the story.
Players use math skills to build a path over water to save adorable creatures and help them find a new home. Jump! could inspire budding engineers who may later use their math skills to build bridges, helping others and changing the world.
Jump! is filled with cute critters called Snortles who were living happily in a volcano (not their best location decision) when they are displaced by an eruption. Your task, should you choose to complete it, is to relocate the Snortles to a new (and safer) home.
You must navigate over bodies of water to build a path using your math skills. Each step in the path is a circle with a number. You must count to find the next step in the path. Jump to the correct numbered circles to create the path.
While that might sound easy, the game actually can be quite challenging. At first you count by ones but as the game progresses you have to count by other numbers: 2, 6, 7, 9, etc. As you make your way across the water you’re learning addition and multiplication.
Sometimes you can combine two or three circles together to get the correct numbered circle. Bonus points are awarded for moving to a circle you’ve combined from others.
The game throws in negative numbers to add subtraction skills into the mix. Combine a negative numbered circle with a positive numbered circle to take a step.
The path across the water isn’t necessarily a straight one. You must alter your path to rescue the Snortles from their life preservers and help them on their path to their new home. Snortles are very happy when you save them.
The game also develops processing skills. As the game gets to higher levels the circles move so you must time your jump to hit the circles when they’re near you.
This video gives you a preview of Jump!
Jump! is from Artgig Apps, the developer who has created other educational apps such as: Mystery Math Town, Drive About Number Neighborhood, Marble Math and Shake a Phrase.
The Villains of Jump!
The app lets you add a time element to the game with villains who want you to hurry. You must build the path rescue Snortles quickly when Fuse and Stomper are in the game.
These villains will steal the Snortles so you must complete the path before they catch up to you.
If you would prefer a calmer game without the threat of danger to the Snortles, you can turn off Fuse and Snortle in settings at any time.
A Little Help, Please?
Wrong answers aren’t punished. Your character shakes its head no when you make a mistake and the game won’t let you move to a wrong circle.
A hint button is always available to show you the correct circle and help you along your path. You can go back in the game and repeat levels to practice your skills, without losing your highest level.
Success!
The app encourages learning with a celebration after a level is completed.
It’s party time!
After each level the party gets more and more fun. You begin to wish real life were this way…
It’s Personal
Jump! personalizes the game with individual player accounts. To get started enter the player’s name to set up an account. Your name is used later in the game at the party when you’re congratulated for completing a level. Yea!
You can set up an unlimited number of player accounts so you can use this app with a family or in a classroom.
It’s Adaptive
Because Jump! covers a wide range of skills, the app can be used for basic to more advanced math skills. Start with basic counting, then advance to addition, subtraction and begin to learn your multiplication skills.
You don’t have to figure out the level for your child, the app does that for you. As your child advances through the game, the app adapts to make the next step challenging, but not impossible.
Availability
Jump! A Game of Numbers is available free for iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch for the first level. You can unlock all levels for $2.99.
Your Thoughts
Do you like the idea of apps that teach skills with a story? Do you like apps that adapt to skill levels? Do you wish you had educational apps when you were a kid?
Share your thoughts in the Comments section below!
Voice of America
Learners of English who are interested in tech should check out Voice of America Learning English. My personal technology column this week features: Facebook Reactions Much More Than a Like.
Hi Carolyn,
Informative indeed 🙂
Jump sounds so interesting! Yes, I did see a recent post with many other Maths apps and was so amazed as to how such apps have made a headway now. I wish we had them when we were kids, as we weren’t all that good in Maths you know!
I love the fact that they have a story along with learning skills, which would make it all so interesting for the kids. Anything taught to kids with a twist, something different from the usual is what catches their attention for sure, isn’t it?
Thanks for sharing. Have a nice, rest of the week 🙂
Hi Harleena, You’re right, having Math apps when we were young would have been so much fun! I was always a fan of Math but I’m thinking I could have gone even farther with Math had I used apps.
Artgig always does a great job with their apps. I especially like how you don’t have to guess at your child’s level, the app adapts instantly based on answers to previous questions. A lot of learning is packed into this app, plus it’s fun!
Have a wonderful weekend ahead, Harleena!
I’m really happy to see that there is a children’s literature blog community going on here!
Hi Riya, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! Thank you, but this isn’t a children’s literature blog, The Wonder of Tech is about personal technology to enhance your everyday life. I do cover educational apps for children occasionally.
Feel free to check out the Start Here page to see the other topics covered here.
Hi Carolyn,
Awesome post. and very Informative post. I love the fact that they have a story along with learning skills, which would make it all so interesting for the kids.
Thanks for sharing.
Hi Mansi, Yes, you’re right, the story of Jump engages the players and helps them have fun while they learn. They can be the hero of the story, rescuing the Snortles and helping them find a new home, all while learning math skills!