TOS Review - UnLock Math Pre-Algebra

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I was thrilled to get a chance to review the UnLock Pre-Algebra online learning from UnLock Math.

What is UnLock Math?

UnLock Math is an online math curriculum program. Basically, the student "unlocks" segments of a 5-step process within every lesson. He or she follows the path to the next segment until each lesson and each section of lessons are complete. The lesson steps include:

Warm Up - These are sort of like speed drills but aren't timed. They generate math questions, like adding and subtracting 1-3 digit numbers. There are about 10 questions to complete each time you unlock the Warm Ups.

Video Lesson - These lessons are short, seemed to be about 10 minutes or less per lesson. Sometimes there are fun parodies but are mostly a female instructor, Alesia Blackwood, explaining the new skill to be learned.

Practice Problems - After viewing the lesson, this section presents problems related to the newly learned concept or skill.

Stay Sharp - Similar to the Warm Ups, the student answers about 10 math questions.

Challenge Yourself - This one contains one challenge question that is sometimes in the form of a word problem and is, as the name implies, a bit more challenging than the other problems in the lesson.

Finally, there is a tab that includes the Reference Notes from the lesson that can be printed for review and reference, as it is in a PDF format.

I received access for one year to this online program which included a parent log on and a student log on. Within the parent log on, I was able to assign the Pre-Algebra course to my child and view progress reports, which are also view-able to the student on the Student Dashboard. I could also print the reports for record keeping.

How Did We Use It?

I was asked to use this online math instruction curriculum at least 3 days a week. Since the lessons were directed specifically to a student learning Pre-Algebra, I knew which child would benefit most. I sat down my 13-year-old, who actually should be getting ready to take Pre-Algebra, but instead, just completed a year of this level of math and is ready to take High School Algebra in the fall. So, in theory all of this Pre-Algebra learning should have been review for her. Though, there was some information that even I learned because the teacher on the videos really makes the facts memorable.

What Did We Think?

The way this program is designed is very logical. The student takes part in small segments of learning within each lesson, which I found to be wonderful, because it presents just enough information in one setting to learn a new Pre-Algebra concept but not too much as to overwhelm. As the name of the product suggests, it is as if the student is unlocking each new segment, like a challenge, which I really like. I also appreciated that it allows for printing the Reference Notes. This is a big plus in my book since the child chosen for the review is huge on workbook text style of learning. I really like the way each lesson is presented, almost like a video game with levels to conquer, of course, in a learning style rather than a gaming format. The underlying concept is there, encouraging the student to accomplish each step within each lesson toward success.

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Read what other members of the TOS Review Crew thought by clicking on the picture below: