Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

Where to Find

App Store

Google Play

Screenwise Verdict

This is one of those rare educational apps that actually delivers on its promise. Desmos took the clunky, expensive graphing calculator and made it free, intuitive, and genuinely fun to use.

The real magic is how it transforms math from abstract symbols into visual, interactive exploration. Kids can drag sliders and watch parabolas shift, create intricate designs with polar equations, or animate sine waves. It's the difference between being told what a function does and actually seeing it happen.

Teachers love it because the classroom activities turn math into collaborative problem-solving. Kids love it (or at least tolerate it) because it's way better than punching buttons on a TI-84. Parents love it because it's free and has zero sketchy monetization.

The only limitation is that it's specifically for graphing and algebra—this isn't Khan Academy or a comprehensive math learning platform. But for what it does, it's exceptional. If your kid is struggling with functions or you want to support their math learning, this is an absolute no-brainer to have on their device.

Age Fit

Best for middle schoolers through high school (roughly ages 11-18) who are learning algebra, geometry, or calculus. Younger math-loving kids can explore with parent support, and it remains useful through college and beyond for anyone doing mathematical work.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

92

Pure math education tool with no social features, ads, or manipulative elements. Designed for collaborative classroom learning with a focus on understanding through exploration. No concerning content, just clean mathematical visualization.

Imaginative

88

Exceptional tool for mathematical creativity—students can explore functions, create art with equations, animate parameters with sliders, and discover patterns through experimentation. The open-ended nature encourages genuine mathematical play and discovery, though it's constrained to the domain of graphing and algebra.

Safe

96

No ads, no in-app purchases, works offline, no social features or chat. Designed for ages 13+ but the iPad app doesn't require internet. Zero monetization pressure or data harvesting concerns. About as safe as educational software gets.

Enriching

94

Builds genuine mathematical understanding through visualization and interaction. Develops spatial reasoning, function comprehension, and algebraic thinking. Free access to powerful tools that democratize advanced math learning. The 'learning by doing' philosophy is research-backed and effective.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Completely free with zero ads or purchases—Desmos is genuinely committed to math accessibility
Makes abstract algebra concepts visual and interactive through sliders, animations, and real-time graphing
Works offline and doesn't require an account, so kids can explore without barriers
Beloved by math teachers everywhere for its classroom activities that turn passive learning into active discovery
Kids actually create art and animations with equations, which is a surprisingly engaging gateway to deeper understanding

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What to Watch For

Only valuable if your kid is actually learning algebra or higher math—not a general learning tool
Officially designed for 13+ though younger math enthusiasts can absolutely use it with guidance
Requires some initial instruction to understand how to input equations and use features effectively

Conversation Starters

"What's the coolest graph or pattern you've created? Can you show me how changing the numbers affects the shape?"
"Can you use Desmos to graph something from real life—like the path of a basketball shot or how fast your bike goes?"
"What's one thing you understand better now that you can see it graphed instead of just on paper?"

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Desmos Classroom Activities