Teaching Maths with Bingo

Most people will cringe at the mere mention of maths, but like it or not sums are everywhere. Chances are good that the biggest reason a lot of us don’t like maths is that we didn’t like the way we were taught it at school. How we learn something can have a huge impact on how we feel about a topic for the rest of our lives, with a bad learning experience permanently colouring the way we feel about a particular subject. If only there was a way to make it more fun to learn things. 

As it happens, bingo is all about numbers, which gives it something very much in common with mathematics. In fact, bingo has a history of being used as a teaching tool. Back in the 19th century, teachers in Germany used the game to teach schoolchildren both spelling and maths. Now in the 21st century, the idea of using bingo as a teaching aid is still going strong, and the latest incarnation of this idea is the very picture of the 21st century so far. 

Bingo instead of maths lessons 

Math Bingo is a new app available for the iPad, iPhone and Android, aimed at 5-12 year olds. The game is intended to teach children basic arithmetic – addition, subtraction, multiplication and division – in a fun environment, using an age old game which anyone can enjoy. Even better, the difficulty level can be changed, so the game can cater to the mathematical ability level of the child playing it. As the game is played, a timer keeps track of how long it takes for the player to do the sums, this provides them with the challenge of attempting to beat their previous time each time they play. 

Games like Math Bingo can be useful ways to teach children, while also introducing them to a traditional game at the same time. Even better, they’ll be learning maths without even realising it. And let’s be honest, you’ll probably end up playing a few games of it yourself, won’t you?

The thing about maths is that the best way to learn is by repetition, which is probably the biggest reason we all hated maths in school. Repeating the same sum enough times will eventually get it unshakeably stuck in your memory, but the traditional process is nothing short of torturous. Learning by playing bingo, however, is a lot easier going, and should prove a lot more enjoyable for anyone who wants to learn this way. Math Bingo helps to master the basics by memorising the numbers. Basically like learning multiplication tables, only without the tedium.

Perhaps eventually, games like this may form a large part of the way in which lessons are taught in schools. After all, playing a game is infinitely more fun than a lecture from a teacher will ever be. Additionally, keeping an active mind has been shown to be very important in maintaining our health. 

Keeping a healthy brain 

Playing regular bingo games and matching up numbers on a regular basis has already been found to have the same effect on our mental health that getting our blood flowing once a day has on our physical health. A little mental exercise can keep us keep on the ball, alert, and less likely to miss a trick. Coupled with an improvement in your ability to do simple maths it will also mean that you are less likely to be ripped off at the local Sunday market, if nothing else! 

With a lot of games being on the market currently to improve the health of your brain (Dr Kawashima’s Brain Training being probably the most well-known), games like Math Bingo are a welcome addition to the fold. Starting children on these games earlier is likely to keep them more mentally active for longer. Or it could spark their interest in maths from an early age. Who knows, maybe it could be the kick needed for a child to end up as a world class scientist of engineer.

No matter what the aspirations, there are a lot of games like this one available for both iOS and Android, which use bingo as a teaching aid. They may be aimed at children, but that doesn’t make them any less fun for adults to play. Go on, have a go…… you know you want to!