How did the use of visual apparatus in mathematics improve achievement?
The study found that children’s performance in mathematics improved: • children who had used visual structured imagery during the research project showed a dramatic improvement in attainment in Key Stage 1 SATs at the end of the year, compared with the results of the previous cohort whose learning had not been supported by the visual apparatus • these higher levels of attainment at Key Stage 1 were sustained year on year at the school • the first two cohorts of children also exceeded previous cohorts’ scores in SATs when they reached the end of Key Stage 2. In addition, the school found that: • children were drawn to the apparatus, enjoyed working with it and used its structured patterns to show their understanding of number and arithmetic • pupils developed confident and positive attitudes to mathematics • pupils developed a range of strategies to solve arithmetic problems, rarely relying on counting • parents recognised their children’s success and began to see evidence of their chil
