How to Evaluate Free Online Math Games

Are you looking for free online math games for your child or your student but don't know where to start? Are you unsure of what to look for when you do find a web site offering free online math games? The following will help parents, teachers and other educators to evaluate the free online math games using strict criteria that focuses primarily on the educational and entertainment experience of the student.

Evaluating Free Online Math Games

When visiting web sites with free online math games, there are a number of key criteria to consider.

1. Who created the web site. Preferably, the free online math games were created by educators and the sites are hosted, sponsored and maintained by educational institutions. The name of the individuals or educational institutions that created the free online math games should be made clear on the home page. Check for an "About Us" section to verify the credentials of the online math game creators. There should also be a way to contact the maintainers of the site for questions, problems or errors on the site.

2. Why was the free math gaming site created? Is the purpose primarily educational, promotional or commercial? Free math sites that are created for educational purposes usually contain mostly free content, with some sites offering extra games and materials for subscribers. Free online math game sites created for educational purposes may also offer a CD version of the site for a fee.

The promotional free online math game sites may simply offer only a couple of games, with the intent to sell you "premium content."

The free online math game sites that are commercial may offer the same depth of content as the educational ones, except with banner advertising. Commercial sites are acceptable for high school and up. Free online math game sites with advertising are acceptable for middle schoolers when parents will be keeping an eye on the screen. It also depends on the maturity of the middle schooler. Commercial sites offering free online math games should be avoided at the elementary school level.