Mathway vs PhET

Easy to use and efficient, Mathway appeals to anyone who needs help solving mathematical problems, whether we're talking about high-school students or undergraduates. Even some professors and scientists can use it to verify results or perform routine equations more quickly. If you want not only answers, but also to learn from this app, however, you'll have to buy a rather pricey subscription.

- Download.com staff

I used mathway.com for my college quantitative analysis class (algebra). Started off using the free version, but I needed to see the steps to solve so I upgraded to the premium version. I only needed it for a month so I only paid $10. All the answers mathway.com gave me were correct and I got an A in the class.

- Gus

While it can be helpful, its is trash. It is somehow unable to solve some calculus question that Symbolab and even my Ti-89 can solve perfectly fine.

- Jack Sauce

There's no shortage of ways to use PhET Interactive Simulations in (or out of) the classroom. Effectively, any time you'd use a static PowerPoint slide or textbook image to demonstrate a concept, it's worth checking PhET to see if there's an interactive version. Chances are high that there's already one on the site. There are also virtual versions of common lab experiences, and it might be worth using the simulation if you're short on class time or resources, or if you're doing distance learning. Even if you have really great videos of experiments, the interactivity of these simulations will contribute so much to your lessons that it's hard not to use both. Especially for science teachers struggling with 45-minute class times, PhET can be a great way for students to experience labs at home. There are hundreds of complete lesson plans and resources available on the site (with a free account) that use the site's simulations. The simulations work in a browser, or you can also download them for offline use. You can also use them as-is or, with a bit of know-how, remix them for your needs. Just be sure to share your modifications with the rest of the community! Keep in mind, though, that many of these simulations are not designed for students to lead themselves in the learning; they require teacher input and direction, including what the various functions of many of the sims are for and how they work.

- Pamela B.

I have been fan PhET for a long time, and it is great to see it in app form. As a physicist I can only talk about the physics apps, but these are very good, easy to use and designed in such a way to illustrate the core underlying physics. I can see the potential of this during a time of remote teaching and learning; learners can now access a wealth of physics and develop their understanding. Well done Phet!

- Mark Whalley

These are fantastic! PhET has been used in my classes for Earth Science, Chemistry, and even AP Chemistry for years, but app makes this extremely accessible, especially in the virtual setting where this can be a really powerful tool. The digital tools are simple to use, students find their use to be intuitive, and the cognitive load can be spent on the science rather than figuring out the program. Thank you for all you've done to create such a great learning tool!

- Amy Connor