Prodigy Math Online Gaming Program:
by Cindy Allen & Alex Grant
Inquiry Question: Is ‘Prodigy’ Effective “Edutainment” or Needless Screen Time?

For this inquiry we decided to investigate the Prodigy Math program that is available online and being used by families and teachers for Grades 1-8. Alex’s Link2Practice teacher at Spencer Middle School uses the program in class and we knew a few classmates who have it in their homes. With the inquiry we did some online research for what it is, how it is used, and compiled some reviews from users of the program.
Alex conducted an interview with his Link2Practice teacher and Cindy had a short but informative interview with Chris H from our Education PDPP cohort. We will first report on our research and then go into details of what was discussed during interviews with Chris and a Grade 6 teacher.

Research – What is Prodigy?
The website TeachThought has a Prodigy sponsored quick description of the online math gaming program, contributed by Richie Saltzman. Saltzman describes Prodigy as a math-skills building web program for K- Gr. 8. Something to consider is that this is a US-based program so the curriculum may look differently from a Canadian, even British Columbian math curriculum. The site boasts to have over 1200 ‘crucial’ math skills – ‘seamlessly’ covering content of all ‘major topics’ from grades 1 – 8 to ensure the players/students are ready for standardized testing; its content offers skills that align to the Math Florida Standards (MAFS) and the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS).
Prodigy is described as a free, adaptive math game that incorporates common-core math into a fantasy style game. Players challenge each other to a math skill and the winner gains tokens/badges for completing the task. It takes game-based learning and provides teachers and parents with reports and assessment tools that provide them information on trouble spots in learning, and provides instructions that aims to better manage classroom time.
As a web-based game, Prodigy can be accessed at school and at home on virtually any device. The program has embedded assessments and automated variation of the skills which helps place students within their correct grade level – this will help the player succeed within their own pace. Whatever the player is working on, a report is produced to see how the player is doing within their grade/skill-set. Teachers or parents (whoever has signed up and is receiving the reports) can see in real time what skills have been mastered and where extra support may be needed.
With more classrooms embracing game-based learning, it’s important to remember that game-based learning is not a replacement for conventional classroom instruction but rather it is a support tool to engage students and encourage practice, as well as develop skills that promote social and personal skills while also improving academic achievement.

The program was designed to be user-friendly and make learning (and teaching) math easier and more enjoyable for students. Prodigy is designed to engage students using adaptive technology to personalize and identify gaps in students’ understanding, it then adapts the program and works with them by reviewing prerequisite skills and then scaffolding them forward through more difficult concepts. The program also has tools like virtual manipulatives that teachers can use to support students in solving problems. The program is also able to be customized so content and games align with what is being taught in class.

The program is free for teachers and parents; however, for families there is an optional upgrade which unlocks extra game content – this extra content does not impact the educational quality, it only makes it that much more appealing to the players. Extra content will be discussed within the interview with Chris.

Interview with Chris H
Chris first heard about Prodigy shortly after the initial lockdown, after Spring Break (2020), when his daughter’s teacher, and other teachers from Frank Hobbs School, put together online resources for parents to occupy their children at home and keep them engaged in their education somehow. They suggested a few different apps for reading and other educational content, but Prodigy was the program he started for his daughter – he started with the free version in April 2020. Although there are other math-based online game programs out there, Chris decided to stay with Prodigy and not research other sites.
A few things he appreciates most of the program are the weekly reports he receives to see where his children are succeeding and where they need some extra support – the report breaks it down into a colour-coded chart based on their percentage. If it is above 70% they are doing well (green), if below 70% it goes to yellow, and if below 60% the color changes to red and this indicates that the child needs extra help with that particular skill.
Chris also likes how intuitive the game is to his children’s abilities and adapts the game so as to not frustrate them but encourage them to try until successful (working within the child zone of proximal development). He also likes the fact that both his children can play together in the game – building their Prodigy world and sharing it with the other.
There were not too many downfalls – he was not fond that there is no teacher/ support process, just the game and the report. There is an option to get a tutor for a 1/2 hour with the paid version (which he does have for both children), but he figures it would take just as long to set up the tutoring session than it is worth.
The paid version did not differ educationally-wise from the free version – there are just more perks to keep the children involved – and that has helped considering they have both been active in the game for about a year now and still interested and engaged. It is not a huge investment either at $5/month per child, so $120/year for both. The children are limited to 2 hours a week, 30 minutes each on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday (although that was increased over this last Spring Break – they each got 30 minutes a day).
What was interesting to hear is that Chris’ children, who are in grade 1 and grade 3, are – according to the Prodigy report- doing math much higher than their grade level (remembering that it is based on a US curriculum). His eldest is at a grade 5 level and the youngest at almost a grade 3 level. If this is the case, it should also prove to be interesting if/when they reach those skills in those grades if they will be bored or too far ahead of what is being taught in class. Will the learning be solidified, or will the learning be forgotten because of the game.

Parent Reviews from https://www.commonsensemedia.org/app-reviews/prodigy-math-game/user-reviews/adult

Learning and they don’t even know it!
I have both my two doing this game and it is a reward when they get home from school to be able to play video games after chores, they both don’t even realize they are doing math homework and the classroom competition is healthy for the kids to want to do the best they can. Good app. – Nicole parent of 7 and 10 years

At first I enjoyed my kids wanting to play an educational game…
…but the amount of advertising is ridiculous! The kids are good at ignoring it or bypassing it, but sometimes they end up in different tabs and are encouraged to put toys in their shopping cart. Even the school version encourages the kids to ask their parents to upgrade or by things. Memberships start at $5 a month–almost worth it to see no more ads, but then—you are still encouraged to buy even more stuff!

The game itself doesn’t actually teach concepts, so it is only really reliable as a review of skills.

The game also invites kids to “friend” others on the game, and then they are able to share their achievements and their friends can “like” the updates. The social interaction is very limited, so depending on your stance, perhaps it is a good introduction to social media briquette. – parent of 9 year old
Too Much Marketing, Not Enough Teacher Support
Kids are highly motivated to play, but the nonstop marketing is too much, constantly encouraging them to upgrade to reach higher levels and unlock features that should be in game already. Premium should be limited to clothing options and MAYBE leveling up faster, not simple gameplay mechanics like number of pets or the ability for pets to evolve. Students should think if they work hard they can get any and everything that the kids that could buy can get. I understand it needs to make money, but ads would be preferable to what is currently available. – Anonymous

Middle School Teacher Interview:

While many parents are putting in effort towards having their children spend less time looking at screens and on the internet, they would also prefer to at least have them learn math if they are going to be. For Alex’s L2P teacher’s grade 6 class, she says that Prodigy succeeds in making math so much fun that her students actually request to play it almost daily.
The Prodigy website states proudly that it does a, “great job of both entertaining students and providing them with valuable math lessons,” and she agrees. It is impressive that this game can almost make the students forget they are doing math problems, which is unlike any other math game or system she has used before.
While this is a great strength to the game, she says that along with it, this is also one of its biggest drawbacks. “It is almost too fun,” she laughs, saying that it is hard to use the classroom Chromebooks without constant requests to finish the current activity quickly and use Prodigy.
It is rare that an entire math lesson will be dedicated to Prodigy, she explains, instead she utilizes it more for students who finish their computer activities so that they stay engaged in schoolwork. Oftentimes, she will add as a stop on a day where students complete math stations, working around the room.
One of her other favourite features of the game is that it allows students to work independently while she holds small group instruction with other students. She notes that because it is near the end of the year, some of the students who played the game intensely at the start of the year are not as interested in the game now. Even so, Prodigy remains entertaining and educational throughout the year, offering incentives and endless math problems.
Though uncommon, she has experienced a difference in curriculum content as Prodigy is a US based game and therefore focuses on the American math competencies. She hopes the game will continue to add Canadian curriculum areas not currently there, but overall many of the concepts are similar and work effectively in her classroom.

Teacher Reviews:
“Any teacher who thinks that it is just a game should try playing it for a few minutes, and they will quickly realize how much math the students actually are doing.” – Emily (Atlanta)
“Very interactive and engaging! However, this does not seem fit to help teach. This is more for review than learning.” – Lisa (Sacramento)
“Love it! Students love to play Prodigy. I wish as a teacher I could restrict some things or limit the time they spend on certain activities.” – Wendy (Dallas)
“Game changer! Prodigy completely changed my students’ attitudes toward math for the better!” – Katie (Athens)
“I use Prodigy as a supplement. It is nice to assign topics to a student that you are covering in class. The free options still give more than plenty enough for students to do and gain.” – Joe (Lafayette)
Ask a Tech Teacher: Review – https://askatechteacher.com/website-review-prodigy-game/