IXL is an online learning website that provide test practices for K-12 levels. A full subscription allows you to access all levels and unlimited test practices for Math and English. We have been using it for more than a month now and here’s our IXL review.
The IXL is the second online learning website that we have subscribe to. We only subscribed to the Math subject and not the English subject yet.
PROs
1. Unlimited practice. IXL lets you practice as many questions and as many topics as you want. You can go back with a previous topic with a new set of questions. This really helps letting the child attain mastery in a subject.
2. Access to all levels. We are mostly using Primary 2 level topics. But we can also answer topics for other levels. Thus, if we want to review on a topic, we go back to Primary 1. Or if we plan to get more challenging questions, we can pick a topic in Primary 3. IXL allows us to be flexible in our learning progress.
3. Curriculum based Topics. All topics are based on a national-standard curriculum. We are currently subscribe to a Singapore Math curriculum. The topics are well organized and allows me to pick which ones Gab will be ready with. It helped a lot in knowing what to teach and what topics to cover.
4. Easy to Challenging Progression. The questions per topic goes from easy to challenging. It also changes the type of questions within the topics to ensure mastery. It adds variety and fun during a test practice.
5. Awards and Certificates. The child earns awards and certificates as he/she practices. It provides motivation and fulfillment which helps Gab want to practice more. The certificates are printable. It is a big motivation tool since Gab wants to get as many awards and certificates as he can.
6. Analytics. I love the Analytics that shows how many questions were answered and which ones were incorrect. It also shows me which topics Gab has mastered and which topics are “troubles spots”. I would then discuss some tips to improve his scores or to clarify which topics Gab is having trouble with.
7. Access for both Desktop and Mobile Apps. Gab can use the desktop or the mobile app to practice with IXL. The mobile app is great but it needs internet connection to be accessed.
CONs
1. Feature Controls. Gab can use some features that I think only the parent should access like the names, avatars, test settings and even passwords. I wish IXL would restrict some of these features for the child and only allow the parent to make the changes.
2. Non-linear scoring. IXL uses SmartScore to “grade” the skill. The points per question varies. One correct answer can be +1 or +10 points. But one wrong answer can also be -1 or -10 points. The child can be 99 and drop back to 85 with just one error. Thus, making a mistake can be very frustrating and depressing if the deductions are too big.
TIP: Sometimes, Gab gets stuck on a topic for more than an hour due to many mistakes. We know he is tired already but insists in reaching the 100 SmartScore. We tell him to take a break to give his brain some rest. It is OK to leave a topic unfinished in IXL. It is not a hard rule to reach 100 Smartscore all the time.
3. Cost. IXL requires a monthly subscription. It costs about 12.98 Singaporean Dollars or about 500+ PHP. That’s about 6,000+ in a year. You can stop your subscription at anytime. If you wish to go back, your can renew again with all the child’s progress intact.
Overall, IXL is highly recommend as an online learning tool for Math. I find it well organized and the questions are so varied that it can help detect which topic are already mastered and which topics still needs more practice.
For homeschoolers like us, IXL is a great resource. IXL helps me save time from making my own worksheeets. It also saves us paper from printing worksheets. I dont have to worry what topic to study next since IXL had the topics well-organized.
While, I find IXL a bit pricey, I think is worth it. I am looking forward when I find the need to stop my subsciption with IXL. But right now, I see myself and Gab using IXL for a long time as we explore Math.
I use IXL and it is very bad. My classmates and I all hate it because you could be on 99, but you do the math correctly and type the answer wrong you go down to 80. IXL in also just boring. It could be more fun. No offense.
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