What Is Corbettmaths (And Why Is It So Effective)?

For as long as math has been taught in traditional schools, there have been some students that grasp it right away and others that need a little extra help. While math is typically universal, many different ways of approaching the subject have been developed. For example, China uses a different system than English-speaking countries to teach their school-aged children how to grasp simple math concepts.

Whether your child is good at math or requires some extra assistance, there are various programs designed to help children learn all the facets of mathematics and succeed in their studies. One such program that is offered to help make math a little easier is Corbettmaths. But what is Corbettmaths, exactly? And is it a good tool for your child?

Is Corbettmaths good for students?
Corbettmaths was developed in February of 2012 by veteran mathematics teacher John Corbett in Northern Ireland. His passion for teaching and helping students excel in their work led to his development of the program. It began as a way for Corbett to showcase real-life mathematics using videos based around activities performed in the 2012 Olympics. What started as a few simple math videos turned into an entire program with nearly 1,000 worksheets, plus other tools such as the 5-a-day program (designed to help children in grades 1–5 build a strong mathematical foundation) and conundrums (daily questions designed to sharpen a student’s math skills).

While reviews on Trustpilot are mixed, Corbettmaths has an average rating of 3.3, with many people describing it as a fantastic resource that provides great video instruction and effective guidelines.

How do you do Corbettmaths?
The Corbettmaths website is broken up into sections that help you choose which type of activity you want to participate in. In the 5-a-day section, each day poses a new math problem with varying degrees of difficulty, split up into categories of bronze, silver, gold, and platinum. For primary learners, educators can choose which level to begin with based on a child’s current math level and build up from there.

The tools are also available from grades ranging from primary all the way up to high school. For example, the GSCE section of the website offers different forms of practice exams designed to help students prepare for their actual test. Students can choose from several different paper options as well as calculator and non-calculator options.

How do you use Corbettmaths revision cards?
Revision cards are available on the Cortbettmaths website for a small fee. They can be used to help students prepare for exams or tests and span across various age groups. Each card has specific instructions for use. For example, one card may come equipped with a QR code that sends you to an instructional video as well as exams and answers. Other cards contain math information surrounding geometry or questions, much like regular study flash cards do.

Corbettmaths revision cards are available in packs. The GCSE pack comes equipped with 93 detailed cards designed specifically to aid students preparing for GSCE exams. Each card also has its own exam question and solution, as well as a video of further instruction to equip students with the tools they need to succeed. The cards are roughly the size of a postcard for ease of use and can be ordered for single-student use or use in a classroom. Enlarged versions of revision cards are also available for those who have visual impairments.

Is Corbettmaths free?
Apart from the abovementioned revision cards, the other resources on the Corbettmaths site are and always will be available free of charge. That means students can utilize the videos, worksheets, 5-a-days, and other tools at their own leisure with no costs involved. The site also mentions that it isn’t just a free resource for parents, but that teachers and tutors can also use the tools in class or during tutoring sessions.

John Corbett asks that people who use the resources take the time to appreciate the effort that was put into developing them, and to ask any questions if you are in doubt about how to use the resources for any given activity. He also recommends that any worksheets or tools used be linked to rather than downloaded as a copy, because the content itself is always being updated.

While Corbettmaths may work better for some students than others, there is no denying that the program has helped many kids sharpen their math skills and succeed in their studies.

 

Featured image by Antoine Dautry on Unsplash