IDL Numeracy - Teach Primary Review

John Dabell’s review of IDL Numeracy. Published in Teach Primary magazine – October, 2018.

Mathematics difficulties in children and adults are common, but a specific learning disorder (SLDM or developmental dyscalculia) is seldom recognised. Recent research from Queen’s University in Belfast has found that although there is plenty of awareness and support available for dyslexia, there is little awareness of dyscalculia. Out of 2,421 children studied, 108 children had an official diagnosis of dyslexia, but just one had officially been diagnosed with dyscalculia. Even if diagnosed, help can often be muddled or disjointed.

International Dyslexia Learning Solutions (IDLS)

Step in International Dyslexia Learning Solutions (IDLS). It provides specialist multi-sensory software programmes to primary and secondary schools. This includes IDL Numeracy, a new time-saving way to support students with dyscalculia and low-attaining learners.

The chief USP of IDL Numeracy is that it is highly inclusive and addresses the needs of children with specific learning needs in maths at the right level. There are so few resources that do this well, but IDL Numeracy lessons offer real practical insight and intelligent practice.

The thousands of creative lessons are accessed through an online book and are made up of different maths topics. They contain activities related to bonds, counting, sequencing, shapes and patterns, number value, place value and arithmetic, guaranteeing a healthy coverage of the maths curriculum.

A typical module is essentially a puzzle-based collection of 30 activities, presented in a fun and engaging way. Children actively select, move or click items around a screen and there are clear, in-built auditory instructions so children can follow what to do. They also have options to simplify puzzles or seek help. The whole layout is user-friendly with simple graphics, ensuring maths remains the focus.

From a teacher perspective, you can sneak a peek at what children have done and get to grips with their maths experience by checking lessons. Stars are awarded for questions answered. Monitoring this progress is accessed via a tab in the teacher menu area. This neat and easy-to-follow teacher control is where you can manage and add pupils and schedule tests, as well as keep an eye on what pupils are doing. It’s effortless and needs no expertise, so you can be up and running in moments.

Maths is a developmental subject and any anxieties or difficulties can easily arrest progress and act as roadblocks. IDL Numeracy has the potential to remove the fog and fuzz around maths and successfully guide children away from maths anxiety into a mindset of ‘can-do’ and resilience.

Conclusion

Simple-to-use teacher menu and easy pupil log-on
Helps pupils acquire arithmetical skills, make sense of maths concepts and perform accurate and fluent calculations
Easily identify and pinpoint specific strengths and weaknesses
Breeds confidence and encourages independence
Reduces stress on children with dyscalculia

REVIEWED BY: JOHN DABELL