Ask any parent and they’ll tell you that teaching children maths can often be an absolute nightmare. Well it doesn’t have to be because there’s now a simple new program that’s turning classroom failures into A-Grade students.
Educational consultant Anthony Tannous reckons he’s found the solution to every student’s mathematical nightmare – a way of coming up with all the right answers.
MathsPOWER is a software program that takes students through each step of the maths curriculum. It sets the questions. You submit the answers and it helps out if you get stuck.
Year 12 student, Bridgitte Caroll felt isolated in class, constantly struggling to keep up. She then supplemented her studies at home with MathsPOWER, going over lessons again and again until she mastered them.
“It builds your confidence – it really does”, says Bridgitte. “Usually my marks were in the 50’s and I started to pick up to the 70’s and then on my most recent exam – high 80’s.”
A pilot scheme introduced late last year at St. Clair High School already has 450 of its students enrolled. Instead of dropping maths in sheer frustration, students are now more likely to excel at the subject.
According to principal Allan Jones, parents just can’t believe the sudden turn-around in results.
“That’s been outstanding. Absolutely outstanding!”
Mr Jones also states, “We’re seeing the child succeeding where we haven’t seen them succeeding before”.
Anthony says, “The improvements from 20% to 80%, from 40% to 90% - we virtually hear that every day”.
It was pointed out to Anthony that “It sounds as though you may have achieved the impossible: You’ve made maths fun!”
"Absolutely," Anthony said. "Mr. Jones tells us regularly that he asks the children ‘How is it going?’ and they’re always saying, ‘Yeah it’s good Sir, really fun’, ‘I’m enjoying my mathematics’."
"We’re finding that students are now extending themselves where previously they might not have” said Mr. Jones, “In virtually all cases, students are reporting very favourably on their results to the point that some students are seeing 30% to 60% increase.”
When the students interviewed were asked, “What sort of difference has MathsPOWER made to your results?” Their replies were:
“I went from 20% to my last test which was 70%.”
“I’ve gone from about late 40’s to late high 80’s.”
"18% to 85%."
“I went from around 18% to on my last test I got 82 or 83%.”
While private tutors can cost parents a fortune, a two-year curriculum with MathsPOWER consisting of 200 lessons will cost $400. Bridgette’s mother, Megan saw the obvious advantage.
“If they decide to get up early one day, it’s there. If they work late, it’s there”, Megan said.
To avoid battling with Maths at high school, there are year-by-year programs, starting with MathsPOWER’s Infants Program.
According to Kit Barrett, his five-year old daughter, Taylor sees her early education as just fun and games.
“She will ask me to come and she’ll say, ‘Dad, let’s go and do the lesson’, says Mr. Barrett about MathsPOWER, “So it’s good being together with her and sharing this little thing”.
Taylor says, “I’m learning to count and I’m learning to spell”.
Manage mathematics early on and perhaps there’s a bonus: “You feel that, ‘OK, if I can do it with Maths, I can do it with Physics, or I can do it with English”, says Bridgitte.
Is this fool proof?
Anthony says, “We provide a six-month money back guarantee!”
Naomi Robson says, “I wish we had that when I was at school”.
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