Success story - Jenna
Jenna attended one of our online programmes. Jenna had a diagnosis of dyslexia and also a tendency for rigid thinking. Jenna experienced emotional difficulties related to this, which impacted her ability to receive feedback and adapt to new tasks.
At the start of the programme, Jenna scored 20% in our start of programme test. Her initial struggle was primarily with algebraic expressions, a topic which Jenna found particularly challenging. Jenna’s difficulty in managing abstract concepts and processing complex instructions made it difficult for her to engage with the lesson content at first. Additionally, her tendency to react negatively when things did not go as expected led to delays in completing tasks and feelings of frustration regarding her progress.
MathsMakers Online Tutorial Approach:
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Explicit Instructions and Clear Expectations: At the start of each tutorial a clear, step-by-step breakdown of learning objectives was provided. Visual aids were used throughout each tutorial, providing a concrete reference point for Jenna, helping her to understand essential concepts before attempting independent tasks.
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Task Breakdown and Use of a Timer: To address Jenna’s challenges with working through complex problems, tasks were broken down into smaller, more manageable steps. Additionally, Jenna found the introduction of a timer useful as this allowed her to manage her time more effectively and reduced her anxiety around completing tasks.
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Regular Feedback and Positive Reinforcement: Given Jenna’s emotional sensitivity, positive feedback was used regularly throughout each session.
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Interactive and Engaging Resources: Throughout the tutorials, more interactive resources and visual aids were used to encourage Jenna’s engagement.
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Independent Practice with Check-Ins: Once Jenna was confident with the material, she was able to do some work independently. During this time, the instructor checked in regularly with her, providing feedback and offering guidance around any challenging aspects. This approach helped Jenna feel supported without overwhelming her.
Outcome and Progress:
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By the end of the programme, Jenna’s performance had increased significantly, scoring 70% in our final test. Her engagement noticeably rose with each tutorial as she began to feel more confident in her ability to solve algebraic expressions. The regular use of feedback and structured tasks helped her develop strategies for approaching new content more independently.