Prodigy
Prodigy is an engaging, free, curriculum-aligned math game for Grades 1-8. This phenomenal tool has over 1200 math skills across 8 grade levels, as well as the ability to address every child’s individual needs. “With a diagnostic test to place students in the correct grade, embedded assessments, and automatic differentiation, Prodigy ensures that each one of your students succeed at their own pace” (Prodigy Math, 2018). **TUTORIAL** https://www.useloom.com/share/9e72c67c332344a0be603b1c73effde6
1. Description
Not only do students get the extra math practice that they need on a specific skill/standard, it is also fun to play! Each student creates their own wizard and they are given tasks to complete throughout the game. Students enter “battles” and can use spells on their opponents after correctly answering the math question. Questions range in difficulty depending on the student’s level. The “battles” are school appropriate and do not cause harm to the other players.
2. Recommended Audience
The recommended audience is listed for grades 1-8. I use it all the time in 3rd grade as a math center and a place where I can assign specific math problems to students that need extra practice. Parents may also use this as well with their children at home for no cost.
1. Description
Not only do students get the extra math practice that they need on a specific skill/standard, it is also fun to play! Each student creates their own wizard and they are given tasks to complete throughout the game. Students enter “battles” and can use spells on their opponents after correctly answering the math question. Questions range in difficulty depending on the student’s level. The “battles” are school appropriate and do not cause harm to the other players.
2. Recommended Audience
The recommended audience is listed for grades 1-8. I use it all the time in 3rd grade as a math center and a place where I can assign specific math problems to students that need extra practice. Parents may also use this as well with their children at home for no cost.
3. Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages
The advantages that Prodigy quickly displays is the engagement that the kids have with leveling up their character and learning new spells through their knowledge of the math curriculum. Many schools use different programs and Prodigy allows the teacher to choose the program that they follow. For example, we use EngageNY and Prodigy allows me to choose the module that we are on so the kids are answering questions that we have gone over in class. Another advantage is the data collection. Every question is accounted for and there is a list that Prodigy creates of students who need help in a particular area. This is especially helpful with grouping students who need help with the same skill.
Disadvantages
The disadvantages are that sometimes students will become fixated with changing their charcater's outfits or designing their house that they acquire in-game. Luckily, the motivator is that students want to level up their characters and learn new spells, all of which cannot happen if they do not answer math questions. Prodigy also keeps track of how many problems each student has answered correctly and incorrectly, as well as how much time they have spent playing.
4. Budget
Prodigy can be played on any tech device. Prodigy itself is free, but there is an option for the students to become a member if they would like, which allows them to gain access to clothes. There is not difference in rigor between students who are members and student who are not.
Advantages
The advantages that Prodigy quickly displays is the engagement that the kids have with leveling up their character and learning new spells through their knowledge of the math curriculum. Many schools use different programs and Prodigy allows the teacher to choose the program that they follow. For example, we use EngageNY and Prodigy allows me to choose the module that we are on so the kids are answering questions that we have gone over in class. Another advantage is the data collection. Every question is accounted for and there is a list that Prodigy creates of students who need help in a particular area. This is especially helpful with grouping students who need help with the same skill.
Disadvantages
The disadvantages are that sometimes students will become fixated with changing their charcater's outfits or designing their house that they acquire in-game. Luckily, the motivator is that students want to level up their characters and learn new spells, all of which cannot happen if they do not answer math questions. Prodigy also keeps track of how many problems each student has answered correctly and incorrectly, as well as how much time they have spent playing.
4. Budget
Prodigy can be played on any tech device. Prodigy itself is free, but there is an option for the students to become a member if they would like, which allows them to gain access to clothes. There is not difference in rigor between students who are members and student who are not.
5. Training and Rollout
There is little training required to set-up Prodigy accounts, track data, or assign standards. Once students are logged into their accounts, the home screen redirects students to where they need to go to create the character and to get started on their journey.
6. What is needed?
As long as the teacher has internet connection and Prodigy usernames/passwords for their students, everything will be ready to go! Prodigy will work on any tech device.
7. FAQ's
Can students communicate with each other in-game?
Students are given a selection of phrases that they can say to each other. For example, "hi, hello, nice game, good job". Students cannot type in their own phrases while on Prodigy.
How do students choose their names?
Students are given a selection of Wizard names that are far from their actual names. It is important to reiterate to students the importance of keeping their personal identities safe. Prodigy does an excellent job of this.
Is the data transferable from grade to grade?
YES! Students will keep the same username/password that they received from their previous teacher. In order to join their new teacher's class, they must enter in the CLASS CODE given to them by their teacher. All data, rewards, and progress will be transferred with them.
There is little training required to set-up Prodigy accounts, track data, or assign standards. Once students are logged into their accounts, the home screen redirects students to where they need to go to create the character and to get started on their journey.
6. What is needed?
As long as the teacher has internet connection and Prodigy usernames/passwords for their students, everything will be ready to go! Prodigy will work on any tech device.
7. FAQ's
Can students communicate with each other in-game?
Students are given a selection of phrases that they can say to each other. For example, "hi, hello, nice game, good job". Students cannot type in their own phrases while on Prodigy.
How do students choose their names?
Students are given a selection of Wizard names that are far from their actual names. It is important to reiterate to students the importance of keeping their personal identities safe. Prodigy does an excellent job of this.
Is the data transferable from grade to grade?
YES! Students will keep the same username/password that they received from their previous teacher. In order to join their new teacher's class, they must enter in the CLASS CODE given to them by their teacher. All data, rewards, and progress will be transferred with them.