Welcome to Sumdog, where learning is fun, engaging, and interactive! If you’re new here, you might notice that children love playing our games. In the excitement of learning through games, children can sometimes rush through their answers, eager to progress and win rewards. While this enthusiasm is fantastic, it’s also important to ensure that they take the time to think carefully about their responses. That’s why Sumdog has developed the Anti-Rush System -a built-in feature designed to help children balance their excitement with focused learning.
Why was the Anti-Rush System created?
Teachers often express concerns that a small number of pupils can develop habits of rushing through questions without fully engaging with the content. While gamified learning is meant to be fun and motivating, it’s also essential that children absorb and understand the concepts they’re working on.
Sumdog’s Anti-Rush System was designed to address this concern by encouraging children to slow down and concentrate. It helps pupils recognise when they are rushing and provides gentle reminders to take their time.
How does it work?
The Anit-Rush system detects when a child is hurrying through questions without focusing. If they repeatedly answer incorrectly due to rushing, they receive warnings prompting them to slow down. If they continue to rush, they temporarily lose access to gameplay until they demonstrate careful thinking.
This approach mirrors what teachers often say in the classroom: “Take your time and think about your answer.” By integrating this into the gaming experience, Sumdog helps children develop better habits while still keeping learning engaging.
'Perfectly balanced to promote fun while maintaining focus - a great addition to the system.'
Jordan Nicholson, Class Teacher, Stakesby Primary Academy, UK
Customising the Anti-Rush System
We understand that every child learns differently. That’s why teachers can turn the Anti-Rush System on or off for individual pupils. This flexibility allows teachers to support pupils who may already work carefully or those who need extra encouragement to slow down.
What schools said about the Anti-Rush System
Before launching the Anti-Rush System, we trialled it with schools across the country to ensure it was effective and balanced. Here’s what teachers had to say:
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Reduced Guessing – Many teachers noted that the system helped reduce the amount of guessing, ensuring pupils focused on accuracy.
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Initial Adjustment Period – Some children found it difficult to comprehend at first, saying it activated too frequently. However, teachers found that it highlighted which pupils were guessing a lot, allowing them to provide additional support.
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Encouraged Thoughtful Answers – Pupils realised they couldn’t simply guess their way into the games. Instead, they had to take their time and think carefully about their answers.
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Kept Pupils on Task – Teachers praised the system for keeping children engaged in maths, rather than rushing to the game element.
Overall, the feedback confirmed that the Anti-Rush System is an effective tool for helping children develop better learning habits while keeping maths fun.
Want to try Sumdog with your pupils?
If you’re interested in seeing how Sumdog can support your pupils, chat with our team about trialling Sumdog in your classroom. We’d love to help you explore the benefits of gamification and how our platform can enhance engagement and learning. Get in touch today to start your Sumdog journey!
