Ireland’s performance in mathematics is “average’’ which is no longer good enough to encourage a smart economy, according to a report submitted to the Minister for Education Mary Coughlan. The leading Irish-based free training provider with 400,000 learners worldwide is now offering a solution to help improve our performance in world league tables.
The Project Maths Implementation Support Group, chaired by Frank Turpin of Intel, says Ireland urgently needs to improve attainment levels in mathematics generally and to encourage more students to take higher-level maths.
Figures suggest that less than 20% of Irish students take honours maths at Leaving Certificate level. However maths needs to be encouraged to ensure Ireland can continue to create high-calibre graduates with the skills needed to be innovative and grow global business.
Craig Barrett, chairman of the Irish technology Leadership Group and former chief executive of Intel, recently foresaw the report’s findings and argued we have fallen behind our international competitors. “Ireland is now facing the same challenges as the US – how to compete with the rest of the world, particularly Asia,” said Dr Barrett.
A recent OECD study on maths found that Irish students are number one globally in one area – boredom in the classroom. One of the recommendations made by the group to the Minister of Education is to use Transition year to provide innovative learning opportunities to engage students.
As the internet becomes more pervasive, there is scope for graphics, video and audio to augment the textbook in the classroom. Interactive e-learning software represents another way to engage the apathetic learner by promoting self-directed and independent learning. Online learning may also suit certain students more readily than book-learning.
The Irish-based online learning provider, ALISON, is engaging students and teachers with the release of a catalogue of free online Maths courses. On their own, these courses provide a comprehensive second-level curriculum. Teachers can treat them as a resource, and assign specific areas to students. Students can learn in their own time, online, for free.
If you are interested in enhancing your mathematic skills via self-paced interactive courseware then log on to www.alison.com and begin your free learning today!
