Maths Goes Online Bigtime

The use of computer technology in Maths has been around for decades and at Bidwill we have used Spreadsheets and graphing programs for some years. In an exciting development the Maths faculty and Mr Burnard have secured 24hr access to the maths activity/tutorial program Mathletics. At present we are trialing the program with one yr 8 class (Year 8 boys) and this has proved very successful. The students have found the activities fun and educational and even come up at lunch and recess to complete their work. In Term 3 all students at Bidwill Campus will be given a username and pin to join mathletics and will have 24hr online access from home or school. Teachers are able to set homework for each student which must be completed before the student can participate in any other activities. I will be sending home an information pack for parents early in term 3. The Mathletics program normally costs over $90 per child (independent membership) and we are very excited to be able to offer it to Bidwill students free of charge for 2008. I encourage parents to visit the site, www.mathletics.com, and to become familiar with the activities on offer. If families don’t have the internet at home students can also access the site at the homework centre. Watch out as well for our Maths Webpage arriving soon on the school’s web site at www.bidwill-h.schools.nsw.edu/. Patrick Hannan HT Maths