IXL Math

IXL Math was envisioned and developed by Dave Green, a software engineer with a background in education. Driven by his success with students and a passion for educational technology, Dave initially launched the program in 1995, aiming to make math learning interactive and engaging. After its success, Paul Martino and David Liu acquired the rights in 1998, rebranding it as IXL Math. The platform has since become a global educational tool, helping millions of students enhance their math skills​ (TFFN)​.

Differentiation

What sets IXL Math apart is its adaptive learning platform, which provides personalized educational content that helps students master math skills at their own pace. The program's use of analytics to tailor content to individual learning progressions distinguishes it from other math curricula, making it uniquely effective​ (TFFN)​.

How to Get Started

To begin using IXL Math for homeschooling, simply register an account on their website, choose a membership plan, and start exploring the math topics appropriate for your child's grade level.

How It Works

IXL Math is designed as an easy-to-use, flexible tool for homeschooling. A typical routine might involve daily practice sessions, with the platform suggesting 15-30 minutes per day per subject. Activities vary from interactive problems to quizzes, and the curriculum is primarily designed for independent learning, though parental oversight is recommended for younger students​ (TFFN)​.

Educational Subjects Included

  • Basic Arithmetic

  • Algebra

  • Geometry

  • Trigonometry

  • Calculus

  • Statistics

What’s Good About It

Users of IXL Math often praise its comprehensive coverage of K-12 math skills, the real-time feedback provided on answers, and the motivational aspects such as awards and certificates. These features help keep students engaged and allow them to track their own progress effectively​ (TFFN)​.

What Could Be Improved

Some users feel that the questions can sometimes be too challenging or repetitive, which may frustrate younger learners. Additionally, while the adaptive learning technology is highly praised, some parents note that a more varied question format could help maintain student interest over longer periods​ (TFFN)​.

Advice from Parents

Parents recommend setting a regular daily practice schedule to fully leverage IXL Math's capabilities. They also suggest using the detailed progress reports to identify areas of strength and weakness, thereby tailoring the learning sessions to address specific needs effectively​ (TFFN)​.

Ideal Fit

IXL Math is ideal for students who thrive in a structured, self-paced learning environment and enjoy interactive, technology-driven educational tools. It's particularly beneficial for those who need regular practice to master math skills​ (TFFN)​.

Not a Fit For

Students who require more hands-on learning experiences or personal interaction might find IXL Math less engaging. Additionally, those who get easily frustrated by challenging problems might need supplemental materials or guidance​ (TFFN)​.

Grades

IXL Math covers a comprehensive range from kindergarten through 12th grade.

Cost

Membership costs range from approximately $10 to $20 per month, with options for family plans that provide access for multiple children.

Ways to Get It

IXL Math can be accessed directly through their official website, where various subscription options are available.

Affiliate Disclaimer: Some links on our site are affiliate links, which means Modulo may earn a small commission if you purchase through them (at no cost to you). Rest assured, we only recommend resources we’ve rigorously vetted and truly love—affiliate link or not. Thank you so much for supporting our work!

Explore More Exceptional Math Programs and Curriculum We Recommend

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!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/manisha-snoyer-5042298/
Previous
Previous

Delta Math

Next
Next

Wild Math