Computer Intervention: MobyMax

At my school, we are currently using MobyMax as a computer based intervention for math. After taking a placement test at the beginning of the year, MobyMax provides individualized learning for each student that allows them to progress at their own pace. MobyMax provides additional instruction for its struggling users to help them progress toward mastery. Instruction is direct and adaptive to the individual students. At the end of each unit, students are given a formative assessment that will provide them with re-teaching or move them on to the next topic. There is a variety of data provided to teachers that assists in tracking student progress.

After using MobyMax in my classroom for a couple years, and a couple different grade levels, there are a few standout pros and cons to the program. Below I will discuss these pros and cons.

Pros of Moby Max

• Teacher Control: MobyMax allows teachers to select the content students will be exposed to while on the program. 
• Student Incentives: Game time is provided to students in small time increments (seconds) as they complete questions. This is supportive of on-task behaviors. 
• Fact Fluency: Fact Fluency is an option for students while engaging in MobyMax. The fluency facts given are related to their individual placement assessments. 
• Data: MobyMax provides teachers with ample data and notifications of student progress. 

Cons of MobyMax

• Ineffective Reteaching: When students are struggling, the reteaching and support provided isn't strong enough for students to gain knowledge. Many times, students are coming to me for support with these concepts, which interrupts small group learning in my classroom. 
• Unlimited Fluency: Students can practice their fluency skills for an unlimited amount of time. This could skew the data when looking at math instruction. 
• Lack of Engagement: Students often are off-task due to lack of interest or inability to complete the assigned questions without support of other classmates of teachers. With limited game time, they aren't as willing to partake in their program as they are others.

To me, MobyMax is more of a hassle than useful in the classroom. I am not available to during the times of MobyMax use to support them through learning the concepts they are being presented. I am asked my principal about the opportunity of using something new. She is completely on board, but the problem is finding what the program would be. 

What are you guys using in your classroom? What makes it something that you would recommend to another teacher?

Any and all suggestions welcomed!