MathGeometryAlgebraCalculusTrigonometry
Written By Manisha Snoyer (co-founder of Modulo)
Desmos, founded in 2011 by Eli Luberoff, began as a powerful graphing calculator aimed at making mathematics more accessible and enjoyable. Luberoff, a Yale graduate with degrees in mathematics and physics, created Desmos to address the gap he observed in students' understanding of abstract mathematical concepts, which often lacked interactive and visual learning tools. Over time, Desmos evolved from a graphing calculator into a comprehensive math education platform, offering interactive lessons, activities, and real-time feedback to enhance learning. Recently, Desmos was acquired by Amplify Education, a company known for its innovative and effective educational programs. This acquisition has allowed Desmos to expand its reach and integrate even more robust educational tools into its platform. Desmos has earned significant recognition, including the 2016 Apple Design Award, and is used by millions of students and educators worldwide (Amplify) (Desmos).
Differentiation
Desmos stands out in the educational landscape due to its emphasis on interactive and visual learning. Unlike traditional math curricula, Desmos leverages technology to offer dynamic graphing tools, interactive activities, and real-time feedback. This approach helps students visualize and understand complex mathematical concepts more intuitively. The platform's ability to adapt to various learning styles and its integration of gamification elements make it particularly engaging for students who might otherwise find math challenging.
How to Get Started
Getting started with Desmos is straightforward. Homeschooling parents can sign up for a free account on the Desmos website. Once registered, they can access a plethora of resources, including the Desmos graphing calculator, classroom activities, and curriculum guides. Desmos also offers a range of tutorials and guides to help parents and students navigate the platform effectively.
How It Works
Desmos offers a seamless user experience designed for ease of use. Parents can choose from a variety of pre-made activities or create their own using the Desmos Activity Builder. The platform supports both independent and guided learning, making it versatile for different homeschooling setups. Students can engage with interactive simulations, complete assignments, and receive instant feedback on their progress. No extensive preparation is needed, making it an "open-and-go" solution for busy parents.
Educational Concepts It Teaches
Algebra
Geometry
Trigonometry
Calculus
Statistics
Probability
Functions and Graphs
Number Theory
What’s Good About It
Homeschooling parents appreciate Desmos for its user-friendly interface and the ability to make abstract concepts tangible. The platform’s visual tools are particularly praised for helping students grasp difficult topics through interactive graphs and simulations. Additionally, the immediate feedback provided during activities helps students learn from their mistakes in real-time, enhancing their understanding and retention of mathematical concepts.
What Could Be Improved
While Desmos is a powerful tool, some users have noted that it can be overwhelming for beginners due to the sheer volume of features available. There is also feedback that more comprehensive tutorials or a more structured onboarding process could help new users get up to speed more quickly. Additionally, while the graphing tools are excellent, some parents feel that the platform could benefit from more diverse activities beyond graphing and equations.
Advice from Parents
Parents suggest starting with the basic tutorials and gradually exploring more complex features of Desmos. Joining online communities or forums can also be helpful to share experiences and tips. It's recommended to integrate Desmos activities with other learning materials to provide a well-rounded math education. Regularly checking the Desmos website for new activities and updates can also keep the learning experience fresh and engaging.
Who It’s an Ideal Fit For
Desmos is ideal for families who value interactive and visual learning approaches. It’s particularly beneficial for students who are visual learners or those who need to see concepts in action to understand them. Parents looking for a flexible and adaptive math tool that can cater to a range of grade levels and learning styles will find Desmos very suitable.
Who It’s Probably Not a Fit For
Desmos might not be the best fit for families looking for a highly structured, traditional curriculum with detailed lesson plans. It also might not suit those who prefer offline learning methods or have limited access to reliable internet, as the platform relies heavily on online resources and interactivity.
Grades
Desmos is suitable for a wide range of grades, from elementary to high school. It offers tools and activities that cater to students from kindergarten through 12th grade.
Cost
Desmos offers many of its tools and resources for free. There are premium options available that provide additional features and capabilities, but the basic tools, including the graphing calculator and activity builder, are free to use.
Ways to Get It
Desmos can be accessed directly through its website. Users can sign up for a free account to access the basic features, while premium features can be purchased through the Desmos Classroom platform. The Desmos app is also available for download on both iOS and Android devices, making it easy to use on the go.
Explore more Math Programs for Homeschoolers
Featured
Desmos
Discover how Desmos transforms homeschooling with its interactive graphing tools and dynamic math lessons. Read our in-depth review to learn how this platform can enhance your child's math education.
Kahoot!
Discover how Kahoot! turns learning into an interactive, competitive game, making education engaging and fun for homeschooling families,
Blooket
Discover how Blooket transforms learning into an interactive adventure for homeschoolers. Created by educators Tom and Ben Stewart, Blooket offers a unique blend of fun and education, making it a favorite among students and parents alike.
A Comprehensive Review of Beast Academy by an experienced math teacher: Is it a good choice for your child?
Are you considering Beast Academy for your child's math education? Read this comprehensive review by an experienced math teacher to find out if it's the right fit for your child's learning needs.
Thinkwell Homeschool
Discover the power of Thinkwell Homeschool's video-based courses, designed to bring dynamic, interactive learning to homeschool environments across diverse subjects.
Right Start Math
Right Start Math review: For a highly visual, and hands-on math curriculum, Right Start Math is a favorite mastery-based choice for families that dislike worksheets. A phenomenal option for kids who thrive with hands-on-learning, gifted kids, and also children with dyscalculia.
Math Papa
Explore how Math Papa transforms algebra learning with detailed reviews, user feedback, and expert analysis, ideal for homeschoolers seeking a robust educational tool.
Get More Math!
Discover how Get More Math can transform your homeschooling experience with its unique spiral review system, ensuring students not only learn but retain mathematical concepts long-term
CTC Math
Manisha Snoyer's expert review of CTC Math reveals how its affordability and flexibility make it a top choice for homeschoolers from K-12.
Nitro Math
Explore how Nitro Math's innovative, game-based approach is revolutionizing math education for young learners, making it engaging and effective.
SplashLearn
Explore how SplashLearn's innovative game-based curriculum enhances elementary learning through personalized, engaging content. Perfect for homeschoolers seeking a dynamic educational tool.
Xtra Math
Discover how XtraMath helps boost math fluency with concise, daily practices in our detailed review, covering effectiveness, ease of use, and user feedback.
ST Math
Explore our comprehensive review of ST Math, a game-based learning app that uses unique visual puzzles to make math engaging and accessible for K-8 students.
Hooda Math
Dive into our review of Hooda Math, where we break down how its free, interactive games make learning math fun and accessible for homeschoolers.
99 Math
Discover how 99 Math leverages gaming to make math engaging and educational for grades 1-8, enhancing traditional learning methods with fun, interactive challenges.
Reflex Math
Discover how Reflex Math transforms basic math learning into an engaging, game-based educational journey for young learners, fostering both fun and fluency.
Cool Math Games
Discover how Cool Math Games can transform your child's approach to math with engaging, interactive games. Read our in-depth review to see why this platform is a hit among educators and students alike.
Delta Math
Explore how Delta Math transforms math education with its interactive, comprehensive platform offering robust practice and immediate feedback, ideal for grades 6-12.
IXL Math
Discover how IXL Math transforms homeschooling with personalized, adaptive learning tools in this detailed review by an educational expert.
Wild Math
Dive into our comprehensive review of Wild Math, the curriculum that transforms the great outdoors into a vibrant classroom, making math a hands-on, engaging learning experience for kids.
Teaching Textbooks
Explore our detailed review of Touch Math, a unique multisensory approach that makes math intuitive and engaging for young students, particularly effective for those with learning disabilities.
Singapore Math
Discover how Singapore Math transforms math learning with its systematic, mastery-focused curriculum, perfect for homeschooling environments. Our in-depth review unpacks its unique features and suitability for different learners.
Math U See
Dive into our detailed review of Math-U-See, a curriculum transforming how homeschoolers approach and master math through hands-on learning and a focus on understanding.
Math Tango
Explore Math Tango, a unique educational app that makes arithmetic fun and interactive through game-based learning, designed for kids in kindergarten through 5th grade.
Math Antics
Explore our in-depth review of Math Antics, a curriculum making math understandable and enjoyable for homeschoolers through animated videos and interactive lessons.
DragonBox Apps
Discover how Dragon Box Math Apps transform traditional math learning into an exciting, game-based experience that captivates young minds.
Starfall
Explore our comprehensive review of Starfall, a leading ELA program that makes learning to read interactive and fun, crafted by an education expert with extensive experience.
Ovo from Cool Math Games
Dive into from Ovo Cool Math Games, where educational challenges meet interactive fun, perfect for budding mathematicians eager to enhance their skills through engaging gameplay.
Ivy Kids
Discover Ivy Kids: expert-designed kits that blend storytime with science and math, nurturing curiosity and critical thinking in young learners.
Math Playground Review
Dive into our detailed review of Math Playground, where math meets fun! Discover how this platform can transform your child’s learning experience with interactive games and challenges.
6th Grade7th Grade8th Grade9th Grade10th Grade11th Grade12th GradeOnlineFreeFree Online ResourcesMiddle SchoolHigh School
Manisha Snoyer (co-founder of Modulo)
For the last 20 years, I’ve taught over 2000 children in 3 countries (of all socio-economic backgrounds). I pioneered an English language program in a conflict region in the Middle East. I’ve worked as a bilingual public school teacher at some of the highest and lowest performing public schools and in all five boroughs of NYC. I’ve tutored 18 subjects in three languages to some of the wealthiest families in NYC, San Francisco and Paris to make up for shortcomings in private schools they were paying up to $60,000 a year to attend.
Since 2015, I’ve helped hundreds of parents start microschools (way before this was a household buzzword). I founded CottageClass, the first marketplace for microschools and learning pods that was part of the Techstars 2018 class. In 2019, I created a virtual learning program to help families through the pandemic, a free online math tutoring program (masteryhour.org), and schoolclosures.org, a hotline developed in collaboration with Twilio and 80 other partners including Khan Academy, Revolution Foods and the Crisis Text Line, that served 100,000 families impacted by school closures.
I’ve climbed trees with children in forest schools in San Francisco, and tested new digital apps with kids in seven countries.
I’ve also coached dozens of families at different stages in their homeschooling journey. Most recently, I founded Modulo with homeschooling dad, best-selling author and tech entrepreneur Eric Ries, to help families curate their children’s education, social and childcare experiences drawing from a diverse array of in-person and online resources.
During the last three years, I’ve devoted much of my time to reviewing and testing secular homeschooling curriculum and other resource. I’ve spent the last three years talking to thousands of secular homeschooling families, and poring over tens of thousands of secular curriculum reviews and testing physical curriculum and digital apps for with hundreds of students to find the highest quality, most engaging, personalized learning materials for every type of learner.
I’ve spoken about homeschooling and modular learning at multiple venues including SXSW EDU, NY Tech Meetup, and on the LiberatedEd podcast.
In 2022, Modulo was one of 8 organizations who were awarded the Bridge Grant from the Vela Education Fund to expand access to homeschooling and modular learning to under-resourced communities.
My experience in education and homeschooling has led me to believe that there is no perfect education for every child, but families have an extraordinary amount of wisdom they can apply to building the perfect education for their individual child.
My goal with Modulo is to make it possible for any family to easily build a customized education that their child will love, and that will empower the whole family to thrive, taking into account, social, emotional and academic needs.
I love to answer questions from parents and receive feedback on how we can improve Modulo, so feel free to reach out anytime! I personally answer all the questions and comments readers leave on my blogs.
In my free time, I like hiking, traveling the world, tasting ceremonial grade matcha, enjoying dark chocolate.
I graduated Summa Cum Laude from Brandeis University with highest honors, with a double degree in French Literature and American Studies and minors in Environmental Studies and Peace & Conflict Studies.
And I love to learn!
