Focus on Primary
Happiness in numbers A more personalised approach to numeracy
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elf-Paced Learning could produce significant gains in primary maths learning, according to an initial study conducted by the Institute for Effective Education (IEE) at the University of York. The research, involving Year 5 pupils from seven primary schools across two local education authorities which ran over a 12-week period, revealed that “If the study’s findings held over a year it would be equivalent to children attending school for an additional 3 months.” Pupils participating in the study used Learning Clip Interactive resources in conjunction with Promethean Activexpression wireless handsets. At their own pace, pupils answered questions delivered directly to the handsets. The technology instantly marked the responses and fed back the results to both pupil and teacher. Teachers could immediately use this formative assessment to help pupils and guide future teaching.
Gains in Learning
Significant gains in pupils’ mathematical learning were made by those pupils using the Self-Paced Learning technology as opposed to those using the same resources without the wireless handsets. Professor Chambers, from the IEE, said: “This study shows the potential of an effective use of technology for formative assessment. Self-Paced Learning helps teachers spot the children who need help and those that are ready for more of a challenge.”
Maths-Whizz is a shared online learning environment that raises standards and confidence in maths for 5-13 year olds, accessed through both through home and school subscriptions. Madeleine White, head of marketing at Whizz Education, explains how the programme increases attainment: “Maths-Whizz combines two main components that use the same core maths curriculum matched content: Tutoring Plus which
offers personalised online-tutoring - and Teachers’ Resource which is teacher-led, ideal for whole class learning.
Teachers’ Resource covers the entire national curriculum from Foundation to year 8 with 1,200 learning objectives. Features include interactive whiteboard tools, investigations and matching charts for different maths curricula, giving teachers’ immediate labelled material, that supports specific topic areas and teaching needs.
A private maths tutor
Tutoring Plus simulates the behaviour of a private maths tutor and thus reaches out to students at their point of need whether at home or in the classroom. It does so through continuous assessment, engaging interactive content that is personalised for each student, and real time reports for teachers and parents. Data collected between 2009 and 2010 shows that students who used Tutoring Plus for 90 minutes a week improved their maths age, on average, by between 1.75 and 2 years in 12 months of use. Its friendly, interactive and informative environment also suits the working hours of a parent, allowing them to participate in their child’s education regardless of their own Maths ability or physical availability, making homework much more fun.
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Between 2009 and 2011, the company increased its overseas sales by an impressive 160% working in some 30 countries in English, Russian and a soon to be created Spanish version. In recognition of outstanding achievement Whizz Education has won a Queen’s Award for Enterprise: International Trade 2012.” Heads and maths leaders in pilot schools across the UK are reporting saved lesson planning time, improved staff confidence and better results using MathsMap, a new online maths teaching resource.
Help with planning
MathsMap is a web-based toolkit to help classroom teachers with planning and teaching maths based on the accurate assessment of the progress of each pupil. Using the framework Assessing Pupils’ Progress (APP) and all of the resources developed to support that initiative, it provides teachers with an instant link from each Assessment Focus bullet to its Learning Objectives; then MathsMap’s unique Steps to Success for each Learning Objective which can be printed off as a progress map for both pupils and teachers; and then to a rich set of resources for teaching the Learning Objective which are ready to be edited into teaching plans or worksheets.
On the road with MathsMap MathsMap has been developed with the help of a network of pilot schools across the UK, and is already being used by 1,851 teachers in 94 schools in the UK, France and Indonesia. Now its creators, Ray Maher and Mike Powell plan to follow its official UK launch with a series of roadshows in chosen centres in June 2012. Half- day sessions in London, Newcastle, Birmingham, Coventry, Leeds, Liverpool, Bristol and Manchester will give teachers the opportunity to
May 2012
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