IXL Math–A Review

We have been IXL fans around here for quite a while.  As a membership-based website which provides access to thousands of practice exercises for math (pre-k through grade 12) and language arts (grades k-4 currently), IXL  provides my kids a fun way to practice their skills, and learn some new skills. There is even a cool app that we use on my IPad for math practice on the go. Since my kids are in upper middle school and high school, we have been using the math exercises.
     My son, who is in the eleventh grade, is using IXL Math to review his Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2 skills.  He will be taking his ACT in a couple of months, so this is a great review for him.  He has run into many topics that he had difficulty with before, and now, thanks to IXL, he understands.  My daughter, who is in the eighth grade, is using IXL to brush up on her basic math as well as Algebra 1 skills to help her stay sharp as she is completes her Algebra 1 class.  Thanks to the ability to choose whatever level and / or topic she needs to work on, she is able to practice on fractions, decimals, percents, multiplication, division, and other basic skills.  She also can practice on equations, variables, higher order roots, and other skills such as working with polynomials. They are both enjoying the program, even though they don’t necessarily enjoy the idea of practicing math.  So, how does it work?
     IXL is a comprehensive and focused math review program.  Once a student is set up, parents and students can choose skills that are sorted according to grade level, from Pre-K all the way through Algebra.  Students can start practicing right away, and it is hard to get them off of the computer once they start!  As a student progresses, he/she gets immediate feedback as right or wrong answers are confirmed.  If an answer is incorrect, an explanation, along with the correct answer, is given.  Students complete skills and receive awards – in the form of virtual game pieces – which they place into a virtual game board to reveal prizes.  The virtual game boards are specific to each grade level. Students can collect ribbons and medals and other cool virtual prizes as they progress. 
     What about parents? IXL assesses your students' understanding as they practice, and generates detailed performance reports to give you valuable insight about your students' abilities. With a single click of your mouse, you can view any of IXL's 37 reports, which include data on grade-level proficiency, trouble spots, and even progress toward meeting state standards. There is a wealth of information available for parents and teachers to use to evaluate student progress.  It is almost as difficult for me to get off of the program as it is for the kids!
     What didn’t work for us? Nothing, really. My daughter rolled through the first several skills and then hit some skills that were a bit more difficult.  She began to keep some scratch paper handy so she could work problems with paper and pencil.  That helped her tremendously. My son is doing a great job using IXL for his ACT Math review.  I can see where he needs work on his ACT practice tests and assign skills in IXL that he needs to practice.  He really likes the explanation that is given if he misses a problem.  I love the independent aspect of the program.  With my kids being older, I can assign either a length of time or a number of problems for them to work on and they can work at whatever pace is good for them.  The range of skills covered is incredibly broad.  This is a quality supplemental program which would work beautifully with any math curriculum.  I recommend it for any family with children who need extra practice on math skills. It would be effective both in a homeschool setting and in a public or private school setting. 
    Is it expensive? Membership options are available here.  There is a monthly option – $9.95 / month, as well as a yearly option for $79. This rate is for one child.  Additional children can be added to the subscription for $2 / month or $20 / year.  Parents are allowed to go to the IXL website and allow their kids to complete up to 20 questions per day for free, so there is a bit of a ‘try before you buy’ policy.  There is not a trial membership for families since parents can opt for the month to month subscription instead of the yearly subscription. There are classroom licenses available for classroom teachers.
   I have a lot of Schoolhouse Review Crew friends who have been using IXL and writing reviews about the program.  If you would like to read their reviews, just click on the graphic below.