Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF XTRAMATH?
XtraMath helps students transition from counting or calculating the basic math facts to recalling them from memory. Quickly recalling math facts, instead of calculating them, frees up mental resources for higher-level operations.
XtraMath's timed activities encourage students to answer questions as quickly as possible. When combined with the spaced repetition of problems, this efficiency develops recall. The 3-second threshold is carefully selected to be long enough to type in a recalled answer but not long enough for the student to comfortably enter a counted or calculated answer.
WHAT OPERATIONS WILL MY CHILD PRACTICE ON XTRAMATH?
Third graders will begin the year with a placement quiz. The placement quiz will determine which operation your child should start with-- addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division. By default, the program begins with addition, then proceeds to subtraction, multiplication, and division in order.
WHY DOES XTRAMATH HAVE A TIMER? CAN I TURN IT OFF?
XtraMath is designed to help students transition from counting or calculating to recalling the basic arithmetic facts. The timer allows XtraMath to distinguish a recalled answer from a counted or calculated answer. The default three-second mastery threshold is carefully selected to be long enough to type in a recalled answer but not long enough for the student to comfortably enter a counted or calculated answer.
Teachers also have the ability to hide the timer from student view, though student answers are still evaluated based on response time. With less time pressure, students may not answer as quickly as they can, potentially resulting in lower scores or slower progress than they might otherwise achieve.
WHAT DO I DO IF I THINK XTRAMATH GOES TOO FAST FOR MY CHILD?
XtraMath is designed to measure what basic math facts students can recall, not what they can calculate. The three second mastery threshold is carefully selected — it is long enough that a relatively slow typist can enter a recalled answer, but short enough to exclude most counted or calculated responses. If you increase the threshold then you are no longer measuring recall.
For maximum effectiveness, XtraMath adjusts to each student and has them practice near the limit of their abilities. This might be uncomfortable for some students. If students do not get the correct answer within three seconds they should not perceive it as a personal failure, but as a normal challenge of the XtraMath “game”... and as a normal challenge of learning, in general. Nothing new is learned without hard work and productive struggle. Praise your child's effort and encourage them to persevere through this challenge. Hard work pays off!
However, if a student is frustrated to the point where XtraMath is becoming counterproductive, a custom program can be created to allow a six-second threshold. This will increase the fluent answer threshold from three to six seconds, and the answer timeout from ten to twenty seconds. Because a six-second threshold does not accurately measure fluency, XtraMath recommends this threshold be used only as necessary to build confidence with an operation. (When the student's confidence with the program has improved, it is recommended to return to a 3-second threshold.)
XtraMath helps students transition from counting or calculating the basic math facts to recalling them from memory. Quickly recalling math facts, instead of calculating them, frees up mental resources for higher-level operations.
XtraMath's timed activities encourage students to answer questions as quickly as possible. When combined with the spaced repetition of problems, this efficiency develops recall. The 3-second threshold is carefully selected to be long enough to type in a recalled answer but not long enough for the student to comfortably enter a counted or calculated answer.
WHAT OPERATIONS WILL MY CHILD PRACTICE ON XTRAMATH?
Third graders will begin the year with a placement quiz. The placement quiz will determine which operation your child should start with-- addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division. By default, the program begins with addition, then proceeds to subtraction, multiplication, and division in order.
WHY DOES XTRAMATH HAVE A TIMER? CAN I TURN IT OFF?
XtraMath is designed to help students transition from counting or calculating to recalling the basic arithmetic facts. The timer allows XtraMath to distinguish a recalled answer from a counted or calculated answer. The default three-second mastery threshold is carefully selected to be long enough to type in a recalled answer but not long enough for the student to comfortably enter a counted or calculated answer.
Teachers also have the ability to hide the timer from student view, though student answers are still evaluated based on response time. With less time pressure, students may not answer as quickly as they can, potentially resulting in lower scores or slower progress than they might otherwise achieve.
WHAT DO I DO IF I THINK XTRAMATH GOES TOO FAST FOR MY CHILD?
XtraMath is designed to measure what basic math facts students can recall, not what they can calculate. The three second mastery threshold is carefully selected — it is long enough that a relatively slow typist can enter a recalled answer, but short enough to exclude most counted or calculated responses. If you increase the threshold then you are no longer measuring recall.
For maximum effectiveness, XtraMath adjusts to each student and has them practice near the limit of their abilities. This might be uncomfortable for some students. If students do not get the correct answer within three seconds they should not perceive it as a personal failure, but as a normal challenge of the XtraMath “game”... and as a normal challenge of learning, in general. Nothing new is learned without hard work and productive struggle. Praise your child's effort and encourage them to persevere through this challenge. Hard work pays off!
However, if a student is frustrated to the point where XtraMath is becoming counterproductive, a custom program can be created to allow a six-second threshold. This will increase the fluent answer threshold from three to six seconds, and the answer timeout from ten to twenty seconds. Because a six-second threshold does not accurately measure fluency, XtraMath recommends this threshold be used only as necessary to build confidence with an operation. (When the student's confidence with the program has improved, it is recommended to return to a 3-second threshold.)
Helpful Hints & Tips
- XtraMath takes only a few minutes each day, but it requires undivided attention during that time. Help your child to stay focused on the problems and do their best every time by limiting distraction and finding a designated workspace at home.
- It can take a long time to master an operation, so encourage your child to be patient and persistent. Productive struggle is a normal and healthy part of learning-- always praise effort!
- Remind your child not to let the timer hurry them. Accuracy is more important than speed — but once you do know the answer, type it in promptly. Remember that your child can hide the timer or teacher if it becomes too much of a distraction.
- Don’t worry about occasional typos or mistakes. You will have many more chances to answer that same problem in the future. Typing it in wrong once or twice won't hold you back.
- Do not guess! Try to remember the answer first, and if you cannot remember it, then calculate it.
- When your child gets a problem wrong, they are shown the correct answer. Coach your child by practicing taking a moment to repeat the problem aloud before typing it in again, like “five plus seven equals twelve.” This will help your child remember the answer next time.
- Do XtraMath as regularly as possible while following this advice and your child WILL make good progress. The more consistently you practice, the EASIER your facts will become.
More Information...
If you'd like to read more FAQ's from XtraMath's website, you can access them here: XtraMath FAQs
Please feel free to contact me at any time if you have questions!
Please feel free to contact me at any time if you have questions!