JFractionLab

http://sourceforge.net/projects/jfractionlab/
 * JFractionLab**

JFractionLab is a piece of open source software that facilitates the understanding of fractions. The program offers 13 different lessons that represent a wide range of difficulty. They include (but are not limited to) comparing fractions, reducing fractions, improper fractions, multiplying fractions, and dividing fractions by fractions. When the user chooses a lesson, the program provides a few hints that will be helpful in that lesson. The lessons are interactive and provide visual feedback on the user's answers. Users can also create their own practice exercises. The results of the exercises can also be saved, allowing teachers to assess student progress. It is very easy to use.

The program can be downloaded and installed for free, and it requires no registration. It runs in a number of different languages, which might be helpful for ELL students. The user is simply asked to agree to the terms of the General Public License Agreement. The download and installation are easy and only require about five minutes. JFractionLab would be useful to all elementary school students who are just being introduced to the concept of fractions or who are trying to master fraction manipulation skills.

Because the program is aimed at younger children, it would be difficult to argue that it supports metacognition. As discussed on the home page, I believe that individuals achieve metacognition through years of trial-and-error as they begin to understand what helps them best to learn. At the age fractions are being studied, most children have probably not achieved such higher order thinking processes. Nonetheless, it is a great program that gives children practice with fractions, as well as a simple way for teachers to evaluate their progress.

Below is a screenshot of me playing with the reducing fractions lesson: