Educational Insights MathShark
by Educational Insights
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Category: Toy
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Product Summary
Manufacturer: Educational InsightsBrand: Educational Insights
Model: 8490
Product features:
- Electronic flash cards
- Quizzes eight different skill levels in addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, decimals, and percentages
- Works as a full - function calculator at the press of a button
- Answers receive immediate feedback, with colorful flashing lights and tones
- The more the kids play, the more they learn
- Educational Insights See 'n' Solve Visual Calculator
- Educational Insights See 'N' Solve Visual Calculator Class Pack - Set of 12
- Educational Insights Remarkable Spin Wheel
Toys and Games Reviews of Educational Insights MathShark
Customer Review: I had high hopes but...
Summary: 1 Stars
Half the reviews for this product are 5 star, half are 1 star. I decided to take the chance. I wanted something that would help me relearn my math facts and that would grow with my daughter as she begins to learn them. This sounded like the best one on the market and sadly, I still think that. So what's wrong with it?
The numbers are not very dark so it is difficult to read it in both dim conditions and in bright light. Forget using it in a car.
In addition, the numbers are poorly formed. They are similar to some calculators, where the numbers are made up of straight lines but that's not the problem. The problem is that the lines have fairly large spaces between them which make the numbers oddly formed. When combined with how dim they are, it makes them quite difficult to read.
The buttons barely work. You have to hit them firmly and check the display to make certain that your button hit was seen before moving on to the next number you want to enter. This is annoying for an adult but nearly impossible for a very young child to remember or accept. I also figured it was a matter of days before some of the buttons stopped working entirely.
Another minor problem is the LED's on the front are incredibly bright, actually painful to look at. A quick swipe of a black sharpie on the light itself would fix it but I figured there was no point. After trying it out for over a week, I sent it back. In case you are wondering, I ended up searching for an old DataMan - a similar toy from the 80's.
Description of Educational Insights MathShark
Kids will want to practice their math on this portable skill-building ELA that turns math into a video game. MathShark quizzes eight different skill levels in addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, decimals, and percentages, and works as a full-function calculator with the press of a button. Problems are displayed on the LCD screen either vertically or horizontally. Answers receive immediate feedback with colorful flashing lights and tones. Sets are timed, and the elapsed time plus a message appear at the end of each set. As they see their time improve, kids are continually motivated to beat it, just like when they play a video game. The more they play, the more they learn. Requires two "AA" batteries (not included). Measures 10" x 6.1" x 3.9".Educational Insights brings a terrific idea to life in Math Shark, a combination skill-building tool and calculator. The shape, colors, flashing lights, and beeps--all reminiscent of a hand-held electronic game--will appeal to kids who may not otherwise be interested in practicing math. (Parents: the sound is unobtrusive, but can be turned off.) Math Shark offers eight different skill levels and seven skill groupings: addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, decimals, fractions, and percentages. After every question a red or green flashing light and a corresponding beep let you know whether or not you answered correctly. If you get one wrong, the right answer flashes, and the question keeps appearing, along with any others answered incorrectly, until you get it right. After each set an encouraging comment--"You did it!" or "Way to go!"--comes up on the screen. The sets are timed, and your score, based on how long it took to answer all the questions correctly, appears at the end. When practice is done for the day, Math Shark becomes a handy calculator. Requires two AA batteries, not included. --Rachel Radway
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