“Pop It Practice” vs. “Minute Math”: Which One, Hands-On or Electronic Flash Cards, Works Best for Your Child?

When we think about developing and practicing math fluency for elementary school children, the very first tool that comes up in our minds is a flash card. There are many kinds of flash cards, but two of them are worth paying attention to and considering as a choice. One of them is "Pop It Practice" flash cards by Coova, which represents a traditional, hands-on approach to learning. And another one is a "Minute Math" electronic flash cards by Learning Resources. This is an electronic device which represents a technological approach to learning. In this review, we are going to explore these two similar educational tools for developing math fluency in different categories such as age, design, durability, price, math skills, learning styles and engagement to help you figure out which one works best for your child’s needs and abilities.

Product Description

Product #1 

Image of "Pop It Practice" Math Flash Cards

"Pop It Practice" Math Flash Cards created by Coova is a set of traditional rectangular flash cards on rings, “Pop It" square board, two dice, four markers, and two square dry erase boards. The cards are dry erase and are separated by addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division piles. They have answers on the back, and can be used independently, depending on which math operation your child is working on. The dry erase boards have fill-in boxes and dice to practice writing and solving math problems. All flash cards and boards are well-made, laminated, and durable for multiple uses. The "Pop It" board is colorful and made of silicone, which is also durable for multiple uses. This set is recommended for children ages 5 and up and excellent for kindergarten to third grade students. The price is $25.00 on Amazon.

Product #2  

Image of "Minute Math" Electronic Flash Card

"Minute Math" Electronic Flash Card, created by Learning Resources, is a triangular-shaped electronic device, which is similar to "Math Mountain," with three small screens. One screen on the top shows the "total" and two other screens on the bottom show numbers that are added or multiplied. Math problems appear one at a time, and answers can be inserted by using the keypad. All answers are followed by correct or wrong signal sounds. There are three levels of difficulty and two quiz modes, one with a timer and one without, to practice math fluency in addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. This device requires three AAA batteries to work and is made of plastic, very durable, small, and light, so it is easy to take with you wherever you go. It is recommended for children ages 6 and up and excellent for first to fourth grade students. The price ranges from $20.93 to $32.99, depending on the seller.

Ease of Use:
If we look for which flash cards are easy to use by children, we can see that the traditional "Pop It Practice" flash cards set is easier and convenient to use without adult supervision. This set has dry erase cards with equations written in large numbers and with answers on the back, so children can write the answer and self-check while practicing. And the "Pop It" silicone board looks like a multiplication table chart where each ten has a different color, which is very familiar for elementary school children and very simple to set up and use.
Compared to "Minute Math” electronic flash card we can see that it is more complicated for children to use by themselves. Children will need extra support because it requires assistance to put in batteries. Also, they will need an adult's guidance on how to switch between different modes and difficulty levels. So, we can see that "Pop It Practice" is easier for children to use independently and "Minute Math" requires an adult's help to set up and supervision at the beginning.

Math Skills:
Both "Pop It Practice" and "Minute Math" help develop math fluency in addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, but in different ways. "Pop It Practice" is very good for practicing math fluency in a relaxing way when children work at their own pace without pressure. This set has different interesting tools and provides more hands-on practice as well as focuses more on writing and recognizing math patterns.
"Minute Math," on the other hand, is excellent for mental math practice. It has timed quizzes of different difficulty levels, which help children develop speed and accuracy in a more competitive way. So far, we can see that "Pop It Practice" helps children better understand patterns in addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and how they relate to one another, while "Minute Math" helps them develop speed and accuracy.

Learning Styles and Inclusivity:
When we look for which flash cards fit more learning styles, we can tell right away that "Pop It Practice" is exactly the one that is inclusive and engaging. It fits very well for those children who learn best by visual and listening, solving logical problems, and hands-on activities because it has different colorful tools and provides many opportunities for children to learn by doing. Also, it can be used to practice in groups and independently, which is beneficial for children who like to learn by themselves and collaboratively in teams.
Compared to "Minute Math" we can tell that this is less interactive and fits only those children who benefit from visuals and listening activities, because all answers are followed by correct and wrong signal sounds. This tool works more for independent learning and can be helpful for children who like to learn in a competitive way. So, we can see that the "Minute Math" tool is less inclusive, while "Pop It Practice" fits many learning styles, is more engaging, and is great for group work.

Conclusion:
The choice between traditional "Pop It Practice" and electronic "Minute Math" flash cards fully depends on your children's needs and abilities. If they learn best by doing, working, and interacting with others in a flexible way, "Pop It Practice" set could be a better choice. But if they like to work independently and in a challenging and competitive way, "Minute Math" device could be a great choice. Keep in mind that every child is different. Think about what educational tool fits your children's learning styles and will support building their fluency and confidence in math. Make an informed decision and choose what works best for your children’s needs and abilities!

Images Credits: Image of educational tools from above by Amazon