WEBINAR - IZAK9 Workshop 1

What is IZAK9?

Izak9 consists of 27 brightly coloured cubes, with each face being populated with different combinations of colour, number and shape. These cubes come accompanied with a suite of online tasks. The tasks are aimed specifically at the "Maths skills development" section of the curriculum - problem solving, integration, critical thinking ,collaboration etc. 

Children work in teams using the physical cubes to solve the tasks from the whiteboard at the front of the room. 

The learning is fun, engaging and rewarding with all children getting the opportunity to participate actively in every task as can be seen from following the video sequences on this page

We have an ever-growing presence throughout Ireland. Izak9 is already in use in 40% of schools in Northern Ireland where, in addition to the obvious classroom use to help raise standards in the teaching and learning of mathematics, it is used to support pupil transition and the extended schools programme (reaching into the community by involving parents in their children’s education), Izak9 also features in Robbie Meredith’s report on how well Irish children performed in the international TIMMS tests in mathematics.

Who is it suitable for?   

Although designed for children between the ages of 8 and 12 to support them in building a more positive relationship with mathematics, Izak9 can be used by children of all ages throughout a school, see here pictures from West Clare, where small schools can benefit from the natural forum Izak9 provides for peer support. Children learn best when they learn together. However the tacks are most suitable to 4th, 5th , 6th and First year students in Post Primary.

Does it improve Maths in your school?

All this is fine, but does Izak9 work? Well, please visit our efficacy page and see. We now work with 6 universities across the Island, the most recent of which is Mary Immaculate College in Limerick. As you will see from the efficacy page, Trinity College, Dublin and Queens University, Belfast have done research to show that Izak9 can raise pupils’ attitudes to maths, and to a statistically significant degree, the attitudes of girls.