Introducing Week 2

In international comparisons, Singapore performs very well. Education experts suggest several reasons for this. As well as strong structures in place for continuing professional development, there also is something special in the way the mathematics is taught.

We focus on two very effective principles. Firstly, is the Concrete-Pictoral-Abstract (shortened to CPA) approach. This approach builds on ideas from the psychologist Jerome Bruner and describes how mathematical skills and concepts can be taught effectively. This is achieved by starting off with something concrete, then using visualisations and imagery, and finally working towards abstract notations.

A second approach is the Bar Model method. This is a visual approach, and the way it is used is itself an example of CPA. It can aid understanding of fractions, ratios and percentages.