Website Spotlight: Uzinggo

Uzinggo is a new online-based learning system that combines leading education techniques, interactive game-like graphics, and motivational tools to help students improve comprehension and test scores. Essentially a high-tech version of a tutor, Uzinggo is available for students in grades 5-12 with study plans, or ZingPaths™, in subjects ranging from Pre-Algebra to Physics. Uzinggo received the 2013 Academics’ Choice Award for Smart Media. 

After receiving guided instruction on the subject matter and completing an activity, students are rewarded with points and badges. Earning points enables students to build an avatar, create their own online room or even enter themselves for a chance to win gift cards by bidding on prizes. Parents can log into their account at any time to view their child’s progress through the lessons, how much time the child has spent on activities, if the child completed assessments and how the child performed on the assessments. There are also additional assessments and answer keys available through the parents’ portal that they can print out to use offline with their child to further enhance the learning experience.

Uzinggo is available for middle school and high school students. Pricing begins at $9.95 per month per student, with annual subscriptions offering up to a 25% discount. Additionally, over 80% of the Uzinggo lesson plans are available in Spanish.

As a math teacher, I'm always looking for high-quality sites to refer my kids to for extra help. Although this site isn't free, the lessons and activities are much more robust and high-quality than many of the free sites. The rewards system is kind of fun too. At $9.95 per month for a single subject, or $134.95 per year for combination math and science, it's a much lower cost than a personal tutor, and for many students can provide the help they need without having to pay higher costs for a tutor to work with your kid (plus, it's way more convenient).