Addition of new maths app equals better learning for children

A nationwide research project has been awarded to the University of Nottingham to find out if a specially designed maths app can improve learning and potentially transform the way maths is taught to 4-6 year olds.

The randomised controlled trial of the digital onebillion maths app is being funded by the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) and is expanding on initial research carried out by Dr Nicola Pitchford and PhD student, Laura Outhwaite who is also supervised by Educational Psychologist Anthea Gulliford from the School of Psychology at the University of Nottingham, which showed that children using the app for 12 weeks were 2-4 months ahead of their peers, and the app was particularly beneficial for children struggling with maths.

For this new year long research study 1,200 children aged 5-6, from 120 schools across England will use the specially designed app to work through engaging exercises at their own pace. Their knowledge is then assessed through a quiz at the end of each topic. Teaching assistants monitor progress to identify any areas that individual pupils might find particularly challenging.

For more information, see our press release or the EEF project page.