Why Did Schools Ban Cool Math Games?
Game over, students. Schools across the country have banned the beloved online math game hub Cool Math Games from school networks, with some even blocking the site on personal devices connected to school Wi-Fi.
These draconian bans stem primarily from security flaws in outdated Adobe Flash software powering the site‘s games. But schools also justify blocking access by pointing to Cool Math as an unnecessary distraction under rigid academic policies. Both excuses fail to hold up under scrutiny.
Critical Security Exploits Cripple Flash-Based Kingdom
The chief reason schools provide for dropping the portcullis on Cool Math Games traces back to unpatched security vulnerabilities in Adobe Flash. Flash games and animations were once ubiquitous online, but hackers increasingly targeted Flash‘s flaws.
According to one school district‘s IT department, rogue scripts and malware embedded in Cool Math Games spread to over 70 laptops via students innocently accessing the site. Repairing the infected machines cost tens of thousands in equipment damage and IT employee work hours.
Yet shifting full blame onto coding weaknesses misses the full picture. IT admins failed in basic due diligence by not vetting sites against blacklists or forcing critical software updates. Take Two Interactive‘s expensive neglect of GTA Online hacks comes to mind.
Academic Crackdown Throws Math Game Loyalists Under the Bus
School administrations also claim axing Cool Math Games became necessary due to district technology rules narrowly targeting educational uses. Strict new bans on entertainment sites emerged under policies prioritizing STEM over recreation.
Detractors argue losing engaging math sites directly contradicts curriculum goals given the importance of hooking students on math early via innovative digital tools. Does banning chess clubs improve test scores or spur interest in STEM careers? Doubtful.
Critics condemn short-sighted bans as reactionary pandering to reformers eager to channel tech funding into surveillance rather than nurturing environments where students voluntarily build skills via play. Cool Math Games infecting a few devices makes a convenient scapegoat for institutional deficiencies.
Student Engagement Casualties Mount
| Year | % Students Listing Math as Favorite Subject |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 29% |
| 2010 | 17% |
| 2020 | 11% |
*Trend data from Youth Learning Attitudes Survey
Without sites like Cool Math Games to spur interest, already declining student engagement metrics plunge further. strict digital policies limiting access to novel tools and challenges directly contradict research on nurturing growth mindsets.
Adobe Flash Games Say Their Final Goodbye
Adobe terminating Flash support does carry partial blame for Cool Math‘s security issues. Outdated software lacking updates inevitably grows vulnerable to exploitation.
Yet shifting to modern formats like HTML5 games never necessitated outright bans. Sites archiving beloved Flash games can carefully vet code while still preserving iconic casual hits like Cool Math‘s design. Forcing site conversions rather than blocking access should have been the play.
Next Steps for Preserving Math Game Legacy
- Collect Student Feedback: District surveys can gauge true engagement lost and preferred alternatives following bans.
- Fund Site Vetting: Allocating resources to evaluating game sites and guiding updates beats reactionary blocking.
- Promote Open Communication: Discussing issues and progress fosters understanding between students eager to play and cautious administrations.
With some mature perspective taking and targeted investments, schools can maintain secure access to engaging math tools rather than tossing beneficial baby code out with the malware bathwater. Cool Math Games may have met an untimely end, but the mission of innovating future math engagement lives on. Game on!
