100% FREE TO USE
Usable Math
(Formerly 4mality)
Online Math Problem-Solving for Young Learners
Usable Math provides interactive problem solving practice for 3rd through 6th grade students who are learning mathematical reasoning and computation through word problems.
Math Friends
Featuring four coaches Estella Explainer, Chef Math Bear, How-to Hound, and Visual Vicuna who offer reading, computation, strategy, and visual strategies for solving math problems.
Estella Explainer
"I help children understand the language and meaning of questions using kid-friendly vocabulary."
Chef Math Bear
"I provide computational strategies (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division) for solving problems."
How-to-Hound
"I present strategic thinking clues (rounding, estimation, elimination of wrong answers)."
Visual Vicuna
"I offer ways to see problems and their solutions using animations, pictures, charts and graphs."
The coaches annotate hints and provide feedback to help students with various levels of knowledge solve mathematical word problems using a wide range of strategies.
Math and ISTE Standards Based
Usable Math aims to teach mathematics concepts and problem solving skills based on the Massachusetts Mathematics Curriculum Framework and the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics. Usable Math supports ISTE Standards for Students.
Open Education Resource
Usable Math is an open education resource project developed in the College of Education, University of Massachusetts Amherst. Usable Math received a 2023 classroom grant from MassCUE (Massachusetts Computer Using Educators). An initial version called 4mality was developed with funding support from the Verizon Foundation and a grant from the US Department of Education, Institute of Education (IES).
BROWSE MATH MODULES
More coming soon!
HOW TO USE
Welcome to Usable Math. In this interactive website, you will find Learning Modules designed to develop mathematical problem solving skills among young learners in grades 3 to 7.
Our Modules explore standards-based math concepts including Fractions, Measurement, Geometry, Decimals, Money, and more. Usable Math is free to access using a computer, smartphone, or iPad.
What do we mean by Usable Math?
The word Usable can read as follows:
U Able meaning you can do math problem solving.
Us Able meaning together all of us can do math problem solving.
Usable meaning anyone is able to learn math problem solving - with practice, effort, and support.
What are the Usable Math Learning Modules?
Each learning module in Usable Math consists of a group of math word problems related to a specific mathematical concept. The problems are based on the Massachusetts Mathematics Curriculum Framework↗ as well as Common Core Standards↗.
Each problem within a module consists of a question, three to four possible answer choices, and problem solving ideas and strategies provided by our four coaches: Estella Explainer, Chef Math Bear, How-to-Hound, and Visual Vicuna.
How are the Modules Displayed online?
Each module has been developed using Google Slides.
Click. Pause. Solve.
View each module in Slideshow.
How do teachers, students and families use each module?
Every module on Usable Math is user friendly.Clicking on a module from the selections on the Modules Homepage, each user controls what happens during the learning experience by clicking to open strategies and spending time thinking about them before answering the question. The goal is for students, by themselves, in small groups, or with a teacher, or a family member, to analyze and understand what the problem is asking them to solve before providing an answer.
A question appears without its answer choices or any problem solving strategies.
Click one time and Estella offers a problem solving strategy.
Click again and the Bear offers a different strategy.
Click again and the Hound presents a strategy.
Click again and the Vicuna has an additional strategy approach.
The next click gives the four answer choices, but not yet the correct answer.
The final click highlights the correct answer from among the answer choices.
Before going to the next problem, a motivational statement and gif appears offering encouragement to the users.
What is the purpose of the Motivational Statements between Problems?
Each motivational statement is intended to provide feedback and encouragement to students using the system.Following the insights of researchers into the use of praise and the development of growth mindsets in young learners, these motivational statements are designed to reward students’ effort, hard work, persistence, and belief in one’s self as a learner. We want youngsters to realize that they can learn anything with the right tools, the right beliefs, the right coaches, and their own work and practice.
Need more help? Or have a question?
Reach out to us and we will do our best to get back to you within 12 hours.
THE SCIENCE BEHIND USABLE MATH
We believe that every child deserves a strong foundation in mathematics. Our platform is designed to provide engaging and effective math instruction to elementary school students, and we are proud to say that there is science behind the way we deliver this instruction.
UsableMath was formerly known as 4MALITY. As a result of our commitment to providing the best possible math instruction to elementary school students, we have rebranded our platform as UsableMath.com to better reflect our mission and approach to teaching mathematics.
Our platform is designed to provide engaging and effective math instruction to students in grades K-5, using a unique approach that emphasizes hands-on, problem-solving activities. We use interactive, multimedia elements such as videos, games, and simulations to help students understand key mathematical concepts and build a strong foundation of knowledge.
Collaborative Problem Solving
We believe in the power of collaboration and teamwork when it comes to learning mathematics. Our platform creates a learning climate that promotes collaborative problem solving, providing students with opportunities to work together and explore mathematical concepts in a supportive and inclusive environment.Whether you are a student, teacher, or parent, we invite you to explore our platform and experience the science behind the way we deliver math instruction to elementary school students.Read more about our work on the Journal of STEM Education↗
Growth Mindset Statements
As education researchers, we understand the important role that a positive attitude and motivation play in learner success. That's why we’ve integrated the use of growth mindset and motivational cues in Usable Math. After every math challenge, students receive messages that encourage them to adopt a growth mindset, reinforcing the idea that with effort and persistence, they can improve their math skills and achieve success.
A sample motivational cue from the Fractions module.
Math Coaches
The use of virtual coaches that provides students with personalized support and feedback, has become increasingly popular in the field of math education. Research has shown that learning companions can be effective in improving student engagement and motivation, as well as helping students to better understand mathematical concepts and build a stronger foundation of knowledge (cite).UsableMath employs the concept of learning companions to help students succeed in mathematics. Our virtual math coaches serve as personal guides, providing students with individualized support and feedback as they work through mathematical concepts and problems. These coaches, or learning companions, are designed to be like friends or mentors, helping students to build their confidence, overcome challenges, and achieve their full potential.
Papers and Presentations
Making Math Usable for Young Learners. Guest post on Rachelle Dené Poth's EdTech blog Learning as I go: Experiences, Reflections, Lessons Learned. January, 2023.
Math Learning Digital Choice Board (2020). ScholarWorks, University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Maloy, R.W., Razzaq, L., & Edwards, S.A. (2014). Learning by Choosing: Fourth Graders Use of an Online Multimedia Tutoring System for Math Problem Solving. Journal of Interactive Learning Research, 25(1), 51-64.
Razzaq, L., Maloy, R. W., Edwards, S. A., Arroyo, I., & Woolf, B.P. (2011). “4MALITY: Coaching Students with Different Problem Solving Strategies Using an Online Tutoring System” (p. 359-364). In J. A. Konstan, Ricardo Conejo, Jose L, Marzo & Nuria Oliver, User Modeling, Adaptation and Personalization: 19th International Conference, UMAP 2011, Girona, Spain, July 11-15 Proceedings. Berlin: Springer Verlag.
Maloy, R.W., Edwards,S. A. & Anderson G. (2010, January-June). “Teaching Math Problem Solving Using a Web-based Tutoring System, Learning Games, and Students’ Writing.” Journal of STEM Education: Innovations and Research, 11(1&2).
Edwards, S. A., Maloy, R.W., & Anderson G. (2010, February). “Classroom Characters Coach Students to Success.” Teaching Children Mathematics, 16(6), 342-349.
Edwards, S. A., Maloy, R. W., & Anderson G. (2009, Summer). “Reading Coaching of Math Word Problems.” Literacy Coaching Clearinghouse. http://www.literacycoachingonline.org/briefs.html.
MEET THE TEAM
Sharon Edwards, Ph.D.
Teacher Education & Curriculum Studies
College of Education, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Sharon (she/her) is a clinical faculty in the Department of Teacher Education and Curriculum Studies in the College of Education at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Sharon is the big brains behind the development of Usable Math online math tutor.
Email: sae at umass dot edu
Robert Maloy, Ph.D.
Elementary Math and History
College of Education, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Bob (he/him) is a history and math senior lecturer in the Department of Teacher Education and Curriculum Studies in the College of Education at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Bob is the creative math content creator and storytelling artist behind Usable Math.
Email: rwm at umass dot edu
Sai Gattupalli
Learning Technologies Graduate Research Assistant
College of Education, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Sai (he/him) is a graduate researcher and he is responsible for making math learning effective to young learners, both online and in-person instruction.Email: sgattupalli at umass dot edu
Marguerite Rancourt
Lead Teacher, Discovery School at Four Corners
Greenfield, Massachusetts
Marguerite teaches fourth grade at the Discovery School in addition to serving as Lead Teacher for the school. She has created and taught professional development workshop for other elementary school teachers. In 2018, she received the Pioneer Valley Excellence in Teaching Award. Students in her class have been contributing to the design of system throughout the 2022-2023 school year.
Sara Shea
Graduate Student
College of Education, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Sara Shea (she/her) is a graduate student at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She is currently part of the university’s Collaborative Teacher Education Pathway program, working towards earning her master’s degree in elementary education.
Katie Allan
Math and Digital Media Research Assistant
College of Education, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Katie Allan (she/her) is a senior at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She is a math major with a concentration in education and passionate about math education.
SUGGESTIONS AND FEEDBACK
We welcome ideas from teachers, students, and families about the Usable Math system.
Please complete our UsableMath Module Review and Feedback↗ form.
Your responses will help us to improve how the system works instructionally and technically. Let us know any additional thoughts about the problems, characters, hints, gifs, mindset statements and more.
Thank you.
Your message has been received. We will get back to you shortly. The average response time is approximately 6 hours.