Skip main navigation

New offer! Get 30% off one whole year of Unlimited learning. Subscribe for just £249.99 £174.99. New subscribers only. T&Cs apply

Find out more

Introducing Week 2

This introduces Week 2.
Business colleagues talking together, in a office
© Getty Images
In Weeks 2 and 3, we focus on two key Singapore mathematics teaching methods.

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 about the way the mathematics is taught.

We focus on two very effective principles. First is the Concrete-Pictorial-Abstract (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.

In Week 2 we will start with a focus on CPA. We will ask you to complete some tasks, after which we then discuss solutions and strategies.

© University of Southampton
This article is from the free online

World Class Maths: Asian Teaching Practice

Created by
FutureLearn - Learning For Life

Reach your personal and professional goals

Unlock access to hundreds of expert online courses and degrees from top universities and educators to gain accredited qualifications and professional CV-building certificates.

Join over 18 million learners to launch, switch or build upon your career, all at your own pace, across a wide range of topic areas.

Start Learning now