Schools FAQs

If you are looking to purchase Maths-Whizz for your school, please call +64 9 431 4466 or email us at [email protected]. 

Yes. To use Maths-Whizz on your iPad or tablet, just download the free and secure educational app, Puffin Academy Browser.

Apple App Store Download

Google Play Store Download

Once downloaded, simply open Puffin Academy and click on the Puffin Academy Portal. Then, search for ‘Maths-Whizz’ and click ‘Install’.

Maths-Whizz is now installed on your iPad or tablet. Your children can access Maths-Whizz anytime, anywhere they have an internet connection, just by clicking the Puffin Academy Browser.

For the best possible learning experience, we do advise that children use Maths-Whizz on a laptop or desktop computer.

The initial assessment effectively takes a ‘snapshot’ of each individual’s current maths ability topic by topic. This is presented in an ‘exam-style’ format and may be broken up by interactive lessons. The initial assessment determines the initial level of difficulty for each child, therefore it is very important that individuals do not receive any help while completing the initial assessment. The assessment must be completed in order to view reports for the individual.

Each lesson is worth up to 15 credits, while each exam is worth up to 30 credits. You can earn up to 10 credits for beating your original score and time in Replay mode. Credits can be spent in the Whizz Shop.

Maths-Whizz Maths Age is a term unique to Maths-Whizz that defines mathematical ability, similar to the way ‘Reading Age’ helps to define reading ability. We use year group targets to calculate a Maths-Whizz Maths Age to the nearest quarter year (e.g. A Maths-Whizz Maths Age of 8.25 = equivalent maths ability to age eight and a quarter).

Explorer 7.05, Flash: 10.3181.22, Firefox 4.0.1
If you are using a Mac computer and see a blank screen or experience freezing issues, please access the site from Mozilla Firefox instead of Safari.

Software requirements:
Internet Explorer 7 or newer or
Mozilla Firefox 4 or newer;
Flash Player 10 plugin or newer.

Minimum PC Requirements:
Pentium II 400 MHz or AMD K6-2 or 100% equivalent processor
Windows 98, 2000, ME or XP
64Mb RAM
16 bit color (though 32 bit is ideal)
Sound card and speakers (essential for Key Stage1, optional for Key Stage 2 and above)
Recommended minimum screen resolution 1024 x 768 pixels

Minimum MAC Requirements:
G3, G4 Mac 300MHz
Mac OS X version 10.1 with 128Mb RAM or Mac OS 8.6 or 9 with 64Mb RAM
Recommended browser: Mozilla Firefox. If you are using Safari 5, you may experience problems with your flash player. If so please use Mozilla Firefox or Camino.
We recommend that you have a broadband internet connection to use Maths-Whizz.

Please ensure that you do not have an active pop-up blocker, as it will interfere with the overall functionality of the programme. Also check that you are running the latest version of Adobe Flash.

While the tutor supports students based on their individual needs, teachers can monitor progress through their curriculum via live reports. All lessons are available in Teachers' Resource and organised by local curriculum.

You need to clear your web browser’s ‘cache’ or ‘history.’ This is sometimes referred to as ‘temporary internet files’ and are often found under the preferences or options menu in your browser.

We recommend that the majority of students use Maths-Whizz 45-60 minutes per week, with those needing an extra boost aiming for 90 minutes per week. We’ve found that 20-30 minute sessions, 2-3 times a week, are most effective.

Log in to your account launch the Reports, then open the Class Report. Next, select the envelope icon in the top right corner of the page follow the prompts. Please note that students cannot reply to these messages.

Locate the class that the student is in on the Account Summary page and then select the pencil and paper icon next to the student’s name. Insert your changes and press ‘save.’

Only the time spent in Tutor Mode and Replay is counted as usage. The tutorial part of the lesson is not counted as usage, the time starts when the student is asked the first question in each lesson. Students must complete the entire lesson or test for the usage to be recorded and displayed in their report.

Maths-Whizz covers content generally delivered from Year 1 through to Year 8, but the content is also suitable as a consolidation and remedial tool for Year 9 and Year 10. Subscribers have access to all content.

Yes. Maths-Whizz uses clear audio explanations for all lessons up to Year 4, so reading comprehension is fully supported for younger students.

Maths-Whizz uses an initial assessment and then assesses students consistently within lessons and at specific checkpoints within the curriculum. Our continuous assessment model enables Maths-Whizz to truly individualise instruction for every student, adapting our lessons, scaffolding, pacing based and help on each student’s unique needs. As students work through their curriculum, Maths-Whizz responds immediately – keeping students on track and progressing.

There could be a couple of reasons that the lessons being delivered are too difficult for your student.

1. Help, other than that from the Tutor, was given to the student during the assessment or within the lessons. It is normal to want to help a student if we think they are struggling, but Maths-Whizz needs to know what the student doesn’t understand just as much as it needs to know what the student does understand – this is the only way the appropriate lessons can be delivered.
2. The student is distracted and or tired.

Solutions:

1. Ask the student to explain what the question is asking. Sometimes talking it through helps them understand what is being asked.
2. Take a break – sometimes a short break is all that is needed. Come back to Maths-Whizz after a short break and/or a snack.
3. If the lesson is too hard, let the student answer it incorrectly. Encourage your student by letting them know it is OK to make a mistake. Maths-Whizz will adapt the curriculum to support your student’s instructional needs.

The main reason that lessons are too easy is because the student answered too many questions incorrectly or just pressed ‘I don’t know’ during the initial assessment.

Solutions:

1. Have your student re-take the assessment. Make sure your student knows that the assessment is used to determine their place in the Tutor. When a student is challenged appropriately, learning is much more enjoyable.
2. Let your student know that they receive more credits for correctly answering questions on the assessments. This often motivates them to try harder.
3. Let your student continue working through the lessons delivered. Lesson difficultly is based on how the student is performing. If answers are correct, the difficultly level increases.

Go to the Dashboard, select ‘Manage classes’, drill down to find the student and you will find the button ‘Skip’ in the Actions section. Please read the advice regarding when to skip an exercise. It is important that students complete all lessons in their tailored learning journies. Note: You cannot skip a test.

For schools, we have two agreements that you will be asked to sign when subscribing to Maths-Whizz. These are our Terms and Conditions for Maths-Whizz Tutoring Plus for Schools and our Access Agreement for Maths-Whizz Teachers’ Resource.

To view these agreements, please visit our Subscription Agreements page.