Inventive Maths teacher works out skill conundrum

Former teacher Franz Schlindwein who has designed and launched an innovative educational maths resource IZAK 9, which features Helix and Abacus two helpful on screen animated characters.

With support from the Propel Programme at InvestNI and the School of Creative Arts at Magee College, Franz has just taken his teaching concept from drawing board into production.

The product consists of 27 coloured cubes displaying different combinations of colour, number and shape. Mixed ability groups are guided through a series of interactive learning modules by Abacus and Helix.

Throughout the exercise they are developing their skills and confidence in planning, in communicating their ideas and learning from each other. Each pupil can bring a different and valid way of approaching the challenge. The set of cubes can be used with or without the software.

Franz, who set up the company QUBIZM to create innovative, fun ways to stimulate primary and secondary pupils to investigate maths concepts, said: “When maths is taught in a traditional way, there is often little room for fun. Children can at times disengage from the learning process, the teacher and each other. By shifting the focus away from right and wrong and celebrating teamwork, curiosity, experimentation and communication we can build a confidence in learning that lasts a lifetime.”