Hi XXXX,

Thanks for choosing SmarterMaths!

A "Teaching Series" email will be sent out at the start of Term 2 on Networks, which will provide a significant amount of information to get the best out of our program in this new topic area.

However, given the end of term is upon us and many teachers work overtime in the holidays to prepare resources, I thought the following might be of interest:

Standard 2 - Networks (update)

Our database continues to be refined. A number of improvements have been made recently in this new topic area, including:

• Quality content added that tests the Konigsberg Bridge dilemma "concept" (direct usage of "Euler" terminology is avoided by design)
• Drawing a matrix from a graph and vice versa is a core competency we view as even more important after NESA's recent release of supplementary questions. This importance is reflected in our database in question styles informed by official topic guidance and sample exam questions.
• Solutions have been beefed up for students to reference any possible usage of Djikstra's, Kruskal's or Prim's Algorithm in shortest path or minimum spanning tree examples.
• Where applicable and helpful, past VCE Marker's Comments and mean marks are included to identify cohort weaknesses.
• Question concepts and terminology have been adjusted to reflect the latest information officially released and the advice of respected practitioners. This is an ongoing process.
• Networks sub-topic analyses to be rolled out in the next week.
• Networks "Targeted Worksheet" will also be available in the next week.

 

Other Major Developments due in the Coming Months

• Standard 1 Teacher Edition - demand has pushed this development to priority #1 with availability expected in the first half of Term 2.
• HSC Minimum Standards - an online program addressing weaknesses and providing test preparation is under development. Release expected in Term 3.

 

And remember, to get the most out of your subscription:

 - update your HSC RAP and NAPLAN results data for full integration into your school's program (our analysis and integration is free!)

 

Thanks and regards,

Matt Burgess
SmarterMaths Founder
support@smartermaths.com.au

www.smartermaths.com.au
ph (02) 8007 3358

Navigating the New Syllabus - Part 2

This email is the second update in a new "Teacher Series" for the Standard 2 HSC course.

We are constantly updating our platform to reflect the most recent information available to help you navigate the new syllabus changes with confidence (90 minutes of cherry-picked questions have been added this term).

NESA's recently released "Additional sample examination questions" for Mathematics Standard 1 and 2, has helped illuminate a number of content debates. This new information is now reflected in our database, with a few topic specific points which I thought were worth mentioning below.
 

A1 Formulae and Equations

• Substitution and Other Equations - The recent NESA sample examination questions included the requirement to rearrange the subject of a non-linear equation. This contradicts our understanding of the syllabus and we see it as an oversight. Our database continues to only include questions requiring the rearrangement of linear equations in this context. If our research into the matter changes our stance, our database will be updated immediately.

 

A4 Types of Relationships

• Simultaneous Equations - significant syllabus changes have clearly occurred in this topic area. Our database has significantly beefed up questions where students need to solve these type of  equations graphically, in both simple and applied contexts.
• An example of the scaffolding required around solving any such equations purely "algebraically" was also included in the NESA supplement and has been reflected in the database.

 

M2 Working With Time

• Small point but worth mentioning - we have added new questions and altered past HSC questions to expose students to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) terminology, as well as retaining some GMT references in other examples for breadth.
• Cross-topic applications of circular measure with longitude and latitude information could arguably bring "great circle" distances between locations into examinable content (provided the earth's radius is given). Teacher feedback verdict: too confusing in light of the topic's omission in the new syllabus. We have left it out.

 

M7 Rates and Ratios

• NESA's supplementary questions provided some guidance on question styles related to ratio and scale. This information has informed supplementary questions added to the database.
• Somewhat unexpectedly, capture/recapture questions were included in NESA's most recent sample examination questions. Since this question type has been traditionally very poorly answered and represents, in our view, a conceptual understanding of the "ratio concept" in a pure form, we have adjusted the database to now include it.

 

S2 Relative Frequency and Probability

• Multi-Stage Events - it is arguable that financial expectation can be included within "expectation" of this topic area. We originally included one question on this in our database but this caused confusion as teacher feedback kept asking if "financial expectation" within all its previous Gen2 importance, was in the new syllabus. Teacher verdict: too confusing to keep in. We have removed it.

 

N2/N3 Networks

• The recent NESA supplementary exam questions have been extremely important in shining a spotlight on this new content area. Teacher feedback to us is unequivocal -  this area is causing more headaches than any other new Standard 2 content.
• We have carefully analysed this new information and it is reflected in our updated database.

 

*We analyse NETWORKS in greater detail in Teacher Series (Part 3) coming soon.

**Register for a free trial here. Find out why a majority of NSW High Schools are now subscribers.

***ALL STANDARD 2 TOPIC ANALYSES ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR ALL SILVER SUBSCRIBERS
(see below for an example of SmarterMaths' Topic Analyses in the new syllabus that can be incorporated into worksheets at a click)

 

Navigating the New Syllabus - Part 2

This email is the second update in a new "Teacher Series" for the Standard 2 HSC course.

We are constantly updating our platform to reflect the most recent information available to help you navigate the new syllabus changes with confidence (90 minutes of cherry-picked questions have been added this term).

NESA's recently released "Additional sample examination questions" for Mathematics Standard 1 and 2, has helped illuminate a number of content debates. This new information is now reflected in our database, with a few topic specific points which I thought were worth mentioning below.
 

A1 Formulae and Equations

• Substitution and Other Equations - The recent NESA sample examination questions included the requirement to rearrange the subject of a non-linear equation. This contradicts our understanding of the syllabus and we see it as an oversight. Our database continues to only include questions requiring the rearrangement of linear equations in this context. If our research into the matter changes our stance, our database will be updated immediately.

 

A4 Types of Relationships

• Simultaneous Equations - significant syllabus changes have clearly occurred in this topic area. Our database has significantly beefed up questions where students need to solve these type of  equations graphically, in both simple and applied contexts.
• An example of the scaffolding required around solving any such equations purely "algebraically" was also included in the NESA supplement and has been reflected in the database.

 

M2 Working With Time

• Small point but worth mentioning - we have added new questions and altered past HSC questions to expose students to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) terminology, as well as retaining some GMT references in other examples for breadth.
• Cross-topic applications of circular measure with longitude and latitude information could arguably bring "great circle" distances between locations into examinable content (provided the earth's radius is given). Teacher feedback verdict: too confusing in light of the topic's omission in the new syllabus. We have left it out.

 

M7 Rates and Ratios

• NESA's supplementary questions provided some guidance on question styles related to ratio and scale. This information has informed supplementary questions added to the database.
• Somewhat unexpectedly, capture/recapture questions were included in NESA's most recent sample examination questions. Since this question type has been traditionally very poorly answered and represents, in our view, a conceptual understanding of the "ratio concept" in a pure form, we have adjusted the database to now include it.

 

S2 Relative Frequency and Probability

• Multi-Stage Events - it is arguable that financial expectation can be included within "expectation" of this topic area. We originally included one question on this in our database but this caused confusion as teacher feedback kept asking if "financial expectation" within all its previous Gen2 importance, was in the new syllabus. Teacher verdict: too confusing to keep in. We have removed it.

 

N2/N3 Networks

• The recent NESA supplementary exam questions have been extremely important in shining a spotlight on this new content area. Teacher feedback to us is unequivocal -  this area is causing more headaches than any other new Standard 2 content.
• We have carefully analysed this new information and it is reflected in our updated database.

 

*We analyse NETWORKS in greater detail in Teacher Series (Part 3) coming soon.

*ALL STANDARD 2 TOPIC ANALYSES ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR ALL SILVER SUBSCRIBERS
(see below for an example of SmarterMaths' Topic Analyses in the new syllabus that can be incorporated into worksheets at a click)

 

SmarterMaths ..  Looking after your NAPLAN preparation.

"I would recommend this program to any school who wishes to develop their students' digital testing skills while also targeting their individual weaknesses."
Alex Krzensk, Churchie

 

Hi XXXX,

With the rapid advancement to NAPLAN Online testing occurring across Australia, our NAPLAN Teacher Edition has taken a quantum leap in its online testing offering, at no extra cost!

Purchasers of our program now receive a comprehensive NAPLAN program that provides both:

1. Full access to our multi-feature Teacher Edition worksheet program. This incredibly flexible worksheet creating resource also allows schools to integrate their past results data, at no extra cost!
2. NAPLAN Online adaptive testing for all their students. 
    

 
The SmarterMaths' NAPLAN online testing program now includes ...

• More Online Adaptive Tests: 12+ online adaptive tests for each year level, testing both full content and individual topic areas.
• Teacher Diagnostics: Easily identify class-wide topic and question weaknesses from exam results, as well as the band distribution your class is working at.
• Functional Equivalence Testing: Our online exams use adaptive testlet technology to provide functional equivalent test preparation.
• Simple 2-Step Sign Up: New easy streamlined signup process for teachers and students.

 

Don't take our word for it!

Our demonstration NAPLAN Online testing area allows you to see the quality of the adaptive tests and see the diagnostics you will have at your fingertips.

Take a closer look by clicking here, using the login details below for the "teacher login".

 

Any orders can be made by simply replying to this email or online at our website.

Thanks and regards,

Matt Burgess
SmarterMaths Founder
support@smartermaths.com.au

www.smartermaths.com.au
ph (02) 8007 3358

Standard 2 and Mathematics HSC Analyses now available

"It’s really great getting access to all this information so quickly for these worksheets; much better than what I was trying to do by myself, and much faster too."
Michael Lynch, Dubbo Christian School

 

Hi XXXX,

Just a quick update on the 2019 roll-out of added features for subscribers:

HSC UPDATES

• We've completed the 2019 HSC Analyses for Standard 2 and Mathematics courses (Ext1 to be gradually added in the coming days).
• 2018 RAP data can now be easily integrated - spend less than 10 minutes to update this powerful analysis tool (details available here).
• Questions covering new content in the new syllabus courses are being cherry picked from high quality sources and added to our database. This will grow organically as more information becomes available.

 

NAPLAN UPDATES

The national roll-out of adaptive online testing, targeting 40% of schools in 2019 and 100% in 2020, has fast-tracked the following added features:

• 12+ Adaptive exams now available for Y7 and Y9 (full content and strand specific)
• Teacher diagnostics to quickly identify weaknesses from online testing results
• Simple 2-step process to set up your school for online testing
• Your 2019 NAPLAN subscription includes everything above at no extra cost

You can take a closer look at all these NAPLAN developments here.

 

Thanks and regards,

Matt Burgess
SmarterMaths Founder
support@smartermaths.com.au

www.smartermaths.com.au
ph (02) 8007 3358

Navigating the New Syllabus

This email is the first in a new "Teacher Series" for the Standard 2 HSC course.

Our goal is to help you navigate the new syllabus changes, see exactly the changes we've made to the SmarterMaths program for the new syllabus, and how and where it can support you!
 

M1 Applications of Measurement

• Measurement Error is more prominent within the new syllabus vs the Gen2 syllabus, and therefore warrants a greater focus in our view. Our questions and solutions have been adjusted to reflect the "simplified" new syllabus calculation of percentage error (as a positive number, not the previous ± expression).

• Significant figures and scientific notation are both fair game (note the latter is referred to as "standard form" in the new syllabus which is elaborated upon to cover scientific notation in supporting documents). A good history of HSC past questions remain relevant here.

• Trapezoidal Rule: Past HSC exam questions, where applicable, have been rewritten to change Simpson's Rule into Trapezoidal Rule requirements and retain these high quality revision questions (note that students have had serious problems with the follow-on questions in this area and adjusting the questions to the new syllabus is regarded as a priority for our program).

• Energy and Mass: The syllabus documents provide excellent direction for question content and style in the new topic areas. This has been reflected in the supplementary questions written to beef up this deficit area.

 

*ALL HSC TOPIC ANALYSES IN M1 TOPICS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR ALL SILVER SUBSCRIBERS
(see below for an example of SmarterMaths' Topic Analyses in the new syllabus that can be incorporated into worksheets at a click)

 

SmarterMaths ..  Creating Tools To Deliver The New Syllabus!

 

“It's the best thing I've ever bought [for revising HSC topics]. It is saving me and my staff so much time, we love it."
Sean Donohue, Head Teacher, Nepean CAPA

 

Hi XXXX,

The new HSC courses are upon us!

We've been working hard all Summer to take some of the workload off teachers. 1 out of 2 high schools in NSW subscribe to SmarterMaths because we put fantastic resources at their fingertips and save them hours of time week after week.

Our programs have been creatively adjusted to help you deliver the new syllabus .. 

1. All past HSC questions relevant to the new Advanced and Extension 1 courses have been painstakingly remapped to the new syllabus. Revising topics and effortlessly accessing an accurate past HSC question resource is and of itself, a big time saver.
2. The new syllabus has made many HSC questions partially "out dated". In order to preserve otherwise great past HSC question resources, we've reworked and adjusted them to fit the new course requirements. 
3. The new courses now examine content where no HSC exam history exists. We have addressed these areas by compiling a database of high quality questions from a variety of sources including: VCE and other state past exams, the syllabus and topic guidance documents, and other HSC courses with new "overlapping" content.
4. Your past results (RAP) data can now efficiently and effortlessly be incorporated into both your 2019 HSC exam courses and all new HSC courses.
5. All the current features including topic analyses and searching by subtopic and band difficulty will be available in both existing and new courses.

Our program can respond to syllabus clarification and NESA guidance extremely quickly (as it already has to the recent Jan19 NESA topic guidance updates), and we will be consistently updating and improving it during 2019.

To take a closer look, click "Try It Free" to register for an immediate free trial here.

Any orders can be made by simply replying to this email or online at our website.

Thanks and regards,

Matt Burgess
SmarterMaths Founder
support@smartermaths.com.au

www.smartermaths.com.au
ph (02) 8007 3358

Thanks and regards,

Matt Burgess
SmarterMaths Founder
support@smartermaths.com.au

www.smartermaths.com.au
ph (02) 8007 3358

SmarterMaths ..  Helping You Decipher the New Syllabus!

 

“It's the best thing I've ever bought [for revising HSC topics]. It is saving me and my staff so much time, we love it."
Sean Donohue, Head Teacher, Nepean CAPA

 

Hi XXXX,

2019 is a watershed year for the HSC Mathematics courses.

At SmarterMaths, we've been working hard all Summer to give you the best tools to prepare for the new courses. Our program can respond to syllabus clarification and NESA guidance within a day, and we will be consistently updating and improving our program during 2019.

The following updates are important for all subscribers:

• The new courses in Advanced and Extension 1 are now available (the new Extension 2 course will be released in Term 3).
• All past HSC questions relevant to the new Advanced and Extension 1 courses have been painstakingly remapped to the new syllabus. Revising topics and effortlessly accessing an accurate past HSC question resource is and of itself, a big time saver.
• The new syllabus has made many HSC questions partially "out dated". In order to preserve otherwise great past HSC question resources, we've reworked and adjusted them to fit the new course requirements. 
• The new courses now examine content where no HSC exam history exists. We have addressed these areas by compiling a database of high quality questions from a variety of sources including: VCE and other state past exams, the syllabus and topic guidance documents, and other HSC courses with new "overlapping" content.
• Your past results (RAP) data can now efficiently and effortlessly be incorporated into both your 2019 HSC exam courses and all new HSC courses.
• All the current features, including topic analyses and searching by subtopic and band difficulty, will be available in both existing and new courses. 
• Throughout Term 1, you will see new Topic Analyses and Targeted Worksheets added in the new courses.

 

All legacy courses for the 2019 HSC exam continue with all 2018 HSC papers now fully integrated.

 

2019 New Course PRICING

• If your Silver subscription expires during 2019, you will have access to the new courses from now until expiry at no extra cost.
   
• Upon renewal (or new purchase) of your current subscription, the new course for Advanced or Extension 1 will be bundled into the respective existing Advanced or Extension 1 course for just $80 extra (full year, unlimited usage, for all teachers at your school).

 

Thanks and regards,

Matt Burgess
SmarterMaths Founder
support@smartermaths.com.au

www.smartermaths.com.au
ph (02) 8007 3358

SmarterMaths ..  looking After New Subscribers!

"I just wanted to say, your product is awesome! Continually impressed by what you are doing. Stand out performer relative to your competitors. Keep up the good work!"
Ben Bridges, The King's School

 

Hi XXXX,

Here's a great way for new subscribers to get 30% more value out of their 2019 SmarterMaths subscription.

Any order placed in 2018 receives the following added value:

• get 5 terms for the price of 4 (an order today lasts until the end of March 2020)
• 2018 pricing is locked in

Remember you can choose to be invoiced this year or in 2019.

This new subscriber deal is only available for the remainder of this term and applies to all VCE and NAPLAN Teacher Edition programs.

 

If you would like to take a closer look, click "Try It Free" to register for an (immediate) free trial here.

Any orders can be made by simply replying to this email or online at our website.

Thanks and regards,

Matt Burgess
SmarterMaths Founder
support@smartermaths.com.au

www.smartermaths.com.au
ph (02) 8007 3358

SmarterMaths ..  looking After New Subscribers!

"I just wanted to say, your product is awesome! Continually impressed by what you are doing. Stand out performer relative to your competitors. Keep up the good work!"
Ben Bridges, The King's School

 

Hi XXXX,

Here's a great way for new subscribers to get 30% more value out of their 2019 SmarterMaths NAPLAN subscription.

Any order placed in 2018 receives the following added value:

• get 5 terms for the price of 4 (an order today lasts until the end of March 2020)
• 2018 pricing is locked in
• includes adaptive online testing for all students (with teacher diagnostics) at no extra cost

Remember you can choose to be invoiced this year or next.

This new subscriber deal is only available for the remainder of this term.

 

If you would like to take a closer look, click "Try It Free" to register for an (immediate) free trial here.

Any orders can be made by simply replying to this email or online at our website.

Thanks and regards,

Matt Burgess
SmarterMaths Founder
support@smartermaths.com.au

www.smartermaths.com.au
ph (02) 8007 3358

SmarterMaths ..  looking After New Subscribers!

 

“Incredibly easy to use. Incredibly useful."
Tim Dalton, Head Teacher of Mathematics, Marrickville High

 

Hi XXXX,

Here's a great way for new subscribers to get 30% more value out of their 2019 SmarterMaths subscription.

Any order placed in 2018 receives the following added value:

• get 5 terms for the price of 4 (an order today lasts until the end of March 2020)
• 2018 pricing is locked in
• HSC orders receive the new HSC courses in Mathematics, Ext1 and Ext2 at no extra cost

Remember you can choose to be invoiced this year or next.

This new subscriber deal is only available for the remainder of this term.

 

If you would like to take a closer look, click "Try It Free" to register for an (immediate) free trial here.

Any orders can be made by simply replying to this email or online at our website.

Thanks and regards,

Matt Burgess
SmarterMaths Founder
support@smartermaths.com.au

www.smartermaths.com.au
ph (02) 8007 3358

SmarterMaths ..  Working hard to keep your program updated

 

“The students find the questions much better and more relevant than anything textbooks can offer, in terms of revising for the HSC."

Adrian Kruse, Head Teacher, Macarthur Anglican School

 

Hi XXXX,

Just a quick update to let you know that the 2018 HSC exam questions are now available in your SmarterMaths program for the Standard 2, Mathematics and Extension 1 courses (Extension 2 is currently being coded and will appear gradually in the coming weeks).

Note that only the General 2 questions applicable to the new Standard 2 course have been added. In some cases we have adjusted a question to fit the syllabus (for example, rewriting 2018's Simpson's question to be a Trapezium Rule question).

 

HATS OFF 

I have analysed a significant number senior maths exams in different States dating back to the year 2000, and in some cases beyond. 

While I realise judging the quality of questions is highly subjective, I want to take my hat off and give a special congratulations to the team who wrote question 16 in the Mathematics exam. To my mind, all parts contributed to a brilliant last question.

Equating the arc length to the cone radius that was staring out at students in part (a), the simplicity of the probability concept in part (b) and the high quality variation on the loans and annuity topic in part (c), all including some very achievable marks, made for a fantastic last question.

Congratulations to whoever you are!

 

Matt Burgess
SmarterMaths Founder
support@smartermaths.com.au

www.smartermaths.com.au
ph (02) 8007 3358

SmarterMaths ..  Helping out your budgeting

 

“Incredibly easy to use. Incredibly useful."
Tim Dalton, Head Teacher of Mathematics, Marrickville High

 

Hi XXXX,

If your school is thinking of ordering SmarterMaths in 2019, there's a number of great reasons to place your order now:

• Order now → pay in 2018 or 2019 (your choice)
• Order now → get immediate access for the remainder of 2018 and a full 5 terms for the price of 4
• Order now → 2018 pricing guaranteed AND receive the new HSC courses in Mathematics, Ext1 and Ext2 at no extra cost

 

Important information about HSC syllabus changes

• SmarterMaths adjusts to new HSC courses by remapping all relevant HSC questions to the new syllabus structure.
• SmarterMaths creates a high quality question database for new content. Quality exam questions from VCE and other databases are carefully selected to cover these changes.
• Subscriptions cover the old course (for Y12 2019) and the new course (for Y11 2019) at no extra cost for orders placed in Term 4.
• Your school's RAP can now be integrated into both the new and old courses to highlight past school problem areas.

 

If you would like to take a closer look, click "Try It Free" to register for an (immediate) free trial here.

Any orders can be made by simply replying to this email or online at our website.

 

Matt Burgess
SmarterMaths Founder
support@smartermaths.com.au

www.smartermaths.com.au
ph (02) 8007 3358

Hi XXXX,

This is an email on the new HSC Standard 2 topic area Networks.

We usually try to keep our emails short and sharp, but we know Networks represents brand new content that is a concern to many teachers. At this juncture, please keep reading if you want a more detailed picture of how the SmarterMaths program deals with this new topic.

We've been working hard for quite awhile on the new HSC syllabus documents. Our platform is incredibly agile in responding to a changing syllabus and as NESA provides more guidance on new content, our database adapts.

While our Networks revision database will continue to expand in the coming months (it is currently around 5 hours in HSC equivalent time), I wanted to provide some information about how we have put together our revision questions in this blue sky environment.

The core information sources we have relied upon are as follows:

1. The syllabus document. I have personally found this document extremely instructive in many areas of question design. 
   The benefits of a very close reading of the new syllabus with respect to General 2 changes in recent history cannot be underestimated. Likewise for the latest Standard 2 content changes, the syllabus outlines question styles, recommended detail in worked solutions and relative importance that should be reflected in any effective revision.

2. Other Australian States' questions. The history of Network questions in other States over the last decade is gold dust in highlighting themes and question types, including importantly, the sub-topic areas that tend to be suited to higher or lower band testing. 
3. Other sources. We research widely and cherry pick questions that specifically address particular new dot points in the syllabus. 

 

LET'S GET REALLY SPECIFIC

N2 Network Concepts

Basic Concepts

• Questions review basic concepts such as; determining the number of odd and even vertices in a network, understanding the definition of a tree, connected network, weighted edge etc.., different network diagrams that express the same information, converting table and matrix information into network diagrams and vice versa (a major contributor to our revision database that acknowledges a clear syllabus emphasis), and deducing information from various directed networks.
• The VCE exams have provided a rich history of past questions in this area. Notwithstanding multiple choice questions in the new Standard 2 exam format are very limited, we have included a significant number of these questions in our database as they allow teachers to target specific concepts and evaluate student understanding (or lack thereof).

Shortest Paths

• This topic area has typically been associated with low to mid-band style questions from our research. 
• Exemplar questions from the syllabus influence our question choices in this area. Importantly, Djikstra's algorithm is a focus in the detail of our worked solutions, methodically described as per the syllabus document.

Spanning Trees

• This topic area is well represented in our question database, drawing from excellent direction from the syllabus document and past VCE exam questions. Typical levels of difficulty in this topic area are around band 3-4 level.
• The worked solutions go over both Prim's and Krukul's algorithms in particular detail, reflecting the step by step approach outlined in the syllabus.

 

N3 Critical Path Analysis

Flow Networks and Minimum Cuts

• Minimum cut questions have been examined within the VCE exams for many years, and importantly for revision purposes, have regularly caused problems for students.
• Our question database addresses the challenging areas identified in past non-NSW state exams. In addition to this, we ensure our database covers many lower band questions, in a similar style to the specific examples given in the syllabus.

Critical Paths

• This is where things get really interesting in Networks. With 6 dedicated pages in NESA's topic guidance and a sample exam that dedicated a five-mark question to this specific area, all indicators point to a significant mark allocation in the 2019 HSC.
• A number of our database questions look at drawing a network diagram for a project from a table of activities and then scanning forwards and backwards to establish EST and LST for each activity. This is a critical competency and has proven very challenging in other states.
• Due to the importance of setting out the information in network diagrams logically and clearly (after scanning), we provide detailed worked solutions. We regard it as important that this detail reflects two styles of answer layout - the NESA sample exam answer and the syllabus topic guidance.
• Questions involving shortening critical paths have proven challenging, particularly when reducing float times create new critical path(s). A number of questions explore this concept.

 

If you have read this far, you are a motivated teacher and I take my hat off to you.

Here's a few interesting facts - SmarterMaths has been around for 4 years, is currently in 1 of every 2 NSW high schools and has a 95% re-subscription rate.

We realise that teachers don't like sales pitches. The opinions that count are from fellow practitioners. Kick our tyres by asking a maths teacher at another school if they use SmarterMaths - there are now over 3,000 of them in NSW. 

In the meantime, if you would like to take a closer look, click "Try It Free" to register for an (immediate) free trial here.

Matt Burgess
SmarterMaths Founder
support@smartermaths.com.au

www.smartermaths.com.au
ph (02) 8007 3358

Hi XXXX,

This is an email on the new HSC Standard 2 topic area Networks!

We usually try to keep our emails short and sharp, but we know Networks represents brand new content that is a concern to many teachers. At this juncture, please keep reading if you want a more detailed picture of how the SmarterMaths program deals with this new topic.

We've been working hard for quite awhile on the new HSC syllabus documents. Our platform is incredibly agile in responding to a changing syllabus and as NESA provides more guidance on new content, our database adapts.

While our Networks revision database will continue to expand in the coming months (it is currently around 5 hours in HSC equivalent time), I wanted to provide some information about how we have put together our revision questions in this blue sky environment.

The core information sources we have relied upon are as follows:

1. The syllabus document. I have personally found this document extremely instructive in many areas of question design. 
   The benefits of a very close reading of the new syllabus with respect to General 2 changes in recent history cannot be underestimated. Likewise for the latest Standard 2 content changes, the syllabus outlines question styles, recommended detail in worked solutions and relative importance that should be reflected in any effective revision.

2. Other Australian States' questions. The history of Network questions in other States over the last decade is gold dust in highlighting themes and question types, including importantly, the sub-topic areas that tend to be suited to higher or lower band testing. 
3. Other sources. We research widely and cherry pick questions that specifically address particular new dot points in the syllabus. 

 

LET'S GET REALLY SPECIFIC

N2 Network Concepts

Basic Concepts

• Questions review basic concepts such as; determining the number of odd and even vertices in a network, understanding the definition of a tree, connected network, weighted edge etc.., different network diagrams that express the same information, converting table and matrix information into network diagrams and vice versa (a major contributor to our revision database that acknowledges a clear syllabus emphasis), and deducing information from various directed networks.
• The VCE exams have provided a rich history of past questions in this area. Notwithstanding multiple choice questions in the new Standard 2 exam format are very limited, we have included a significant number of these questions in our database as they allow teachers to target specific concepts and evaluate student understanding (or lack thereof).

Shortest Paths

• This topic area has typically been associated with low to mid-band style questions from our research. 
• Exemplar questions from the syllabus influence our question choices in this area. Importantly, Djikstra's algorithm is a focus in the detail of our worked solutions, methodically described as per the syllabus document.

Spanning Trees

• This topic area is well represented in our question database, drawing from excellent direction from the syllabus document and past VCE exam questions. Typical levels of difficulty in this topic area are around band 3-4 level.
• The worked solutions go over both Prim's and Krukul's algorithms in particular detail, reflecting the step by step approach outlined in the syllabus.

 

N3 Critical Path Analysis

Flow Networks and Minimum Cuts

• Minimum cut questions have been examined within the VCE exams for many years, and importantly for revision purposes, have regularly caused problems for students.
• Our question database addresses the challenging areas identified in past non-NSW state exams. In addition to this, we ensure our database covers many lower band questions, in a similar style to the specific examples given in the syllabus.

Critical Paths

• This is where things get really interesting in Networks. With 6 dedicated pages in NESA's topic guidance and a sample exam that dedicated a five-mark question to this specific area, all indicators point to a significant mark allocation in the 2019 HSC.
• A number of our database questions look at drawing a network diagram for a project from a table of activities and then scanning forwards and backwards to establish EST and LST for each activity. This is a critical competency and has proven very challenging in other states.
• Due to the importance of setting out the information in network diagrams logically and clearly (after scanning), we provide detailed worked solutions. We regard it as important that this detail reflects two styles of answer layout - the NESA sample exam answer and the syllabus topic guidance.
• Questions involving shortening critical paths have proven challenging, particularly when reducing float times create new critical path(s). A number of questions explore this concept.

“SmarterMaths does exactly what it says ... it saves me time and the worksheets are quality."
Alison Underwood, Senior Maths Teacher, Danebank Anglican School for Girls

SmarterMaths ..  Helping out your budgeting

Hi XXXX,

We've had numerous enquiries this term from schools wanting to spend some of their remaining 2018 budget on prepayment for their 2019 subscription.

If you would like to take advantage of any remaining 2018 budget in this way and lock in 2018 pricing, simply reply to this email and we'll get an invoice out to you.

Important Features Available in 2019

• All VCE past exam results can be integrated into your program to highlight your school's past weaknesses, at no extra cost
• All NAPLAN Teacher Edition courses now include 12+ online adaptive exams for students with immediate teacher feedback, at no extra cost

 

Thank you for subscribing in 2018.

Matt Burgess
SmarterMaths Founder
support@smartermaths.com.au

www.smartermaths.com.au
ph (02) 8007 3358

“The past results data integration for NAPLAN is brilliant.  A highly effective way to identify and improve any weaknesses without having to do a lot of tedious analysis."

Cassandra Portelli, Head of Mathematics, HSPA

 

Hi XXXX,

New subscribers to SmarterMaths NAPLAN Teacher Edition in 2019 have two great offers currently available:

• Order now, pay in 2018 or 2019 (to help manage your budget)
• Order now for 2019 and get immediate access for the remainder of 2018, at no extra cost

 

Best Value Package in the Market? - You Be The Judge

Join the hundreds of schools across Australia that already subscribe and see the incredible value our program provides:

• Adaptive NAPLAN Online Testing
   - At least a dozen online adaptive exams for Y9 and Y7 with immediate teacher feedback now included at no extra cost

• Great Revision Resources ... fast
   - Produce customised revision resources of the highest quality at speed. Filter by topic, band difficulty and calculator usage in seconds to produce resources with best practice worked solutions.

• Affordable and Accessible
   - A one-off cost subscription - no per student charging. 

• We Analyse Your Data
   - Upon request, our algorithm will analyse your aggregated data and integrate it into your program to highlight questions that specifically target past weaknesses ... at no extra cost!

At $250 + GST per program for all of the above, we weren't joking when stated it was incredible value.

Interested schools can take a closer look by clicking "Try It Free" to register for an (immediate) free trial here. 

 

Matt Burgess
SmarterMaths Founder
support@smartermaths.com.au

www.smartermaths.com.au
ph (02) 8007 3358

“Incredibly easy to use. Incredibly useful."
Tim Dalton, Head Teacher of Mathematics, Marrickville High

 

Hi XXXX,

New subscribers to SmarterMaths in 2019 have two great offers currently available:

• Order now, pay in 2018 or 2019 (to help manage your budget)
• Order now for 2019 and get immediate access for the remainder of 2018, at no extra cost

 

Important information about HSC syllabus changes

• SmarterMaths adjusts to new HSC courses by remapping all relevant HSC questions to the new syllabus structure.
• SmarterMaths creates a high quality question database for new content. Quality exam questions from VCE and other databases are carefully selected to cover these changes.
• Subscriptions cover the old course (for Y12 2019) and the new course (for Y11 2019) at no extra cost for orders placed in Term 4.
• Your school's RAP can now be integrated into both the new and old courses to highlight past school problem areas.

 

If you would like to take a closer look, click "Try It Free" to register for an (immediate) free trial here.

Any orders can be made by simply replying to this email or online at our website here.

 

Matt Burgess
SmarterMaths Founder
support@smartermaths.com.au

www.smartermaths.com.au
ph (02) 8007 3358

“Incredibly easy to use. Incredibly useful."
Tim Dalton, Head Teacher of Mathematics, Marrickville High

 

Hi XXXX,

We've had numerous enquiries this term from schools wanting to spend some of their remaining 2018 budget on prepayment for their 2019 subscription.

If you would like to take advantage of any remaining 2018 budget in this way and lock in 2018 pricing, simply reply to this email and we'll get an invoice out to you.

Important information about HSC syllabus changes

• SmarterMaths adjusts to new syllabus requirements as quickly as any program in the market.
• Subscriptions cover the old course (for Y12 2019) and the new course (for Y11 2019) at no extra cost for orders placed in Term 4.
• All topic areas remaining in the new courses are retained and recategorized to reflect the new syllabus structures, while new (previously unexamined) content will see a growing supplementary database of HSC standard questions.
• Your school's RAP can now be integrated into both the new and old courses to highlight past school problem areas.

Thanks again for subscribing in 2018.

Matt Burgess
SmarterMaths Founder
support@smartermaths.com.au

www.smartermaths.com.au
ph (02) 8007 3358

“The past results data integration for NAPLAN is brilliant.  A highly effective way to identify and improve any weaknesses without having to do a lot of tedious analysis."

Cassandra Portelli, Head of Mathematics, HSPA

SmarterMaths ... Looking after our New Subscribers!

To: XXXX

Each year in Term 4 we offer new subscribers the special discount of receiving 5 terms of SmarterMaths NAPLAN Teacher Edition for the price of 4.

Join the hundreds of schools across Australia that already subscribe and see the incredible value our program provides:

• Adaptive NAPLAN Online Testing
  Prepare your students for the adaptive NAPLAN exam with a functionally equivalent exam. SmarterMaths gives your students individual access to over a dozen adaptive practice exams and revision sets. Teachers receive immediate feedback on their students' working band level.

• Great Worksheet Revision Resources ... fast
  Produce customised revision resources of the highest quality at speed. Filter by topic, band difficulty and calculator usage in seconds to produce resources with best practice worked solutions.

• We Analyse Your Data
  It's a time consuming and tedious task to analyse your school's past NAPLAN data, and even tougher to make sure weaknesses are effectively and consistently addressed in the classroom. We do this analysis for our subscribers for free. Upon request, our algorithm will analyse your aggregated data and integrate it into your program to highlight questions that specifically target past weaknesses ... at no extra cost!

• Affordable and Accessible
  The 3000+ registered maths teachers on our platform is a testament to how easy it is to use - even for the most technology resistant. Print old-school style worksheets or provide pdf files to your students in a few clicks.

At $250 + GST per program for all of the above, we weren't joking when stated it was incredible value.

Schools can also choose to be invoiced now or in 2019 - whichever works best for their budget.

Interested schools can take a closer look by registering for an (immediate) free trial here. 

Thanks and regards,

 

Matt Burgess
SmarterMaths
www.smartermaths.com.au
support@smartermaths.com.au
ph (02) 8007 3358

SmarterMaths ... Looking after our New Subscribers!

Special Offer for New Subscribers

• Purchase in Term 4 and receive 5 terms for the price of 4 (your subscription lasts until the start of 2020).
• Choose to pay in 2018 or 2019 - whichever suits your budget.
• Past VCE results data, upon request, can be integrated into your program to highlight recommended revision based on past areas of weakness, at no extra cost.  

 

To take a closer look, register for an (immediate) free trial here.

 

Thanks and regards,

Matt Burgess
SmarterMaths Founder
support@smartermaths.com.au

www.smartermaths.com.au
ph (02) 8007 3358

SmarterMaths ... Looking after our New Subscribers!

Special Offer for New Subscribers

• Purchase in Term 4 and receive 5 terms for the price of 4 (your subscription lasts until the start of 2020).
• Choose to pay in 2018 or 2019 - whichever suits your budget.
• Any subscription to a transitioning mathematics program during Term 4 will also include full access to the new replacement course relevant to year 11 students in 2019, at no extra cost.  
• RAP data integration is now included for both the old and new transitioning courses at no extra cost.

 

If you would like to take a closer look, register for an (immediate) free trial here.

Any orders can be made by simply replying to this email or online at our website here.

 

Thanks and regards,

Matt Burgess
SmarterMaths Founder
support@smartermaths.com.au

www.smartermaths.com.au
ph (02) 8007 3358

 

New syllabus requirements and SmarterMaths

• SmarterMaths adjusts to new syllabus requirements as quickly as any program in the market.
• Subscriptions cover the old course (for Y12 2019) and the new course (for Y11 2019) at no extra cost for orders placed in Term 4.
• All topic areas remaining in the new courses are retained and recategorized to reflect the new syllabus structures, while new (previously unexamined) content will see a growing supplementary database of HSC standard questions.
• RAP data is now integrated into both the new and old courses to highlight past school problem areas.

 

Thanks again for subscribing in 2018.

“It's the best thing I've ever bought [for revising HSC topics]. It is saving me and my staff so much time, we love it."
Sean Donohue, Head Teacher, Nepean CAPA

 

Hi XXXX,

Advanced Mathematics Final Stretch Revision is now available to join General 2 - note that Extension 1 will be uploaded shortly.

This revision series is around 6 hours of past HSC questions and is a more concise version of our longer "HSC Comprehensive Revision Series" that was released inn Term 3.

It will be of particular help to late starters chasing Band 5 or 6 results. However, for students that did complete the longer “HSC Comprehensive Revision Series” in Term 3, this can also be a revision set for them.

Many of the higher performing students in past HSC’s attest to doing past exams twice as a secret to their success. This is where cobwebs are turned into cables through repetition, confidence is built and speed through the paper is developed (critical to peak achievement).

You can access the revision series here.

Again, our analysis on each topic, the common question types, past areas of difficulty and recent HSC trends all combine to create an extremely important revision set that ensures students cover a wide cross-section of the key areas we have carefully identified.

 

Thank you for choosing SmarterMaths.

 

Best regards,

Matt Burgess
SmarterMaths
www.smartermaths.com.au
support@smartermaths.com.au
ph (02) 8007 3358

“It's the best thing I've ever bought [for revising HSC topics]. It is saving me and my staff so much time, we love it."
Sean Donohue, Head Teacher, Nepean CAPA

 

Hi XXXX,

It's late in the day and we hope many of your students have dedicated 12 hours to the comprehensive revision we rolled out during Term 3. Notwithstanding this and as promised, our HSC "Final Stretch" Revision Series is now available for all Silver subscribers.

This revision series is just over 5 hours and is a more concise version of our longer "HSC Comprehensive Revision Series" mentioned above.

It will be of particular help to late starters chasing Band 5 or 6 results. However, for students that did complete the longer “HSC Comprehensive Revision Series” in Term 3, this can also be a revision set for them.

Many of the higher performing students in past HSC’s attest to doing past exams twice as a secret to their success. This is where cobwebs are turned into cables through repetition, confidence is built and speed through the paper is developed (critical to peak achievement).
 

You can access the revision series here.

  
Again, our analysis on each topic, the common question types, past areas of difficulty and recent HSC trends all combine to create an extremely important revision set that ensures students cover a wide cross-section of the key areas we have carefully identified.

General 2 is currently available with Mathematics and Extension 1 to be uploaded shortly.

Thank you for choosing SmarterMaths.

 

Best regards,

Matt Burgess
SmarterMaths
www.smartermaths.com.au
support@smartermaths.com.au
ph (02) 8007 3358

“The past results data integration for NAPLAN is brilliant.  A highly effective way to identify and improve any weaknesses without having to do a lot of tedious analysis."

Cassandra Portelli, Head of Mathematics, HSPA

 

To: XXXX

Each year in Term 4 we offer new subscribers the special discount of receiving 5 terms of SmarterMaths NAPLAN Teacher Edition for the price of 4.

Join the hundreds of schools across Australia that already subscribe and see the incredible value our program provides:

• Great Revision Resources ... fast
  Produce customised revision resources of the highest quality at speed. Filter by topic, band difficulty and calculator usage in seconds to produce resources with best practice worked solutions.

• Affordable and Accessible
  The 3000+ registered maths teachers on our platform is a testament to how easy it is to use - even for the most technology resistant. Print old-school style worksheets or provide pdf files to your students in a few clicks.

• We Analyse Your Data
  It's a time consuming and tedious task to analyse your school's past NAPLAN data, and even tougher to make sure weaknesses are effectively and consistently addressed in the classroom. We do this analysis for our subscribers for free. Upon request, our algorithm will analyse your aggregated data and integrate it into your program to highlight questions that specifically target past weaknesses ... at no extra cost!

• Adaptive NAPLAN Online Testing
  The rollout of NAPLAN online examinations is predicted to be 40% in 2019 and 100% in 2020. Functional equivalence in preparing students is an important factor to help them achieve the band level they deserve. SmarterMaths gives your students individual access to over a dozen adaptive practice exams and revision sets. Teachers receive immediate feedback on their students' working band level and all this is again at no extra cost!

 

At $250 + GST per program for all of the above, we weren't joking when stated it was incredible value.

Schools can also choose to be invoiced now or in 2019 - whichever works best for their budget.

Interested schools can take a closer look by registering for an (immediate) free trial here. 

Thanks and regards,

 

Matt Burgess
SmarterMaths
www.smartermaths.com.au
support@smartermaths.com.au
ph (02) 8007 3358

“It's the best thing I've ever bought [for revising HSC topics]. It is saving me and my staff so much time, we love it."
Sean Donohue, Head Teacher, Nepean CAPA

 

Hi XXXX,

Due to the fantastic feedback we received from our 2017 HSC Maths revision program, we have put together an updated “HSC Comprehensive Revision Series” that we recommend motivated students aiming for a Band 5 or 6 result should attempt, carefully review and annotate in Term 3, creating a concise and high quality revision resource.

How Does It Work?

Our philosophy is to make students' mathematics study as effective and efficient as possible. This involves a highly targeted coverage of all major content areas using quality past HSC questions.
 

Revision	Release Date	Hours of Work
HSC Comprehensive Revision Series	Available Now (Free Sample click here)	General 2: ~8 hours   Mathematics: ~10 hours   Extension 1: ~9 hours
HSC Final Revision Set	Early October	General 2: ~4 hours   Mathematics: ~5 hours   Extension 1: ~5 hours

 
We combine an analysis of each topic, the common question types, past areas of difficulty and recent HSC trends to create extremely important revision sets that ensure students cover a wide cross-section of the key areas we have identified.

We invite you to come and see the quality of our programs for yourself. You can access some topics within our HSC Comprehensive Revision Series for free here.

 

Best regards,

Matt Burgess
SmarterMaths
www.smartermaths.com.au
support@smartermaths.com.au
ph (02) 8007 3358

“It's the best thing I've ever bought [for revising HSC topics]. It is saving me and my staff so much time, we love it."
Sean Donohue, Head Teacher, Nepean CAPA

 

Hi XXXX,

Thank you for subscribing to SmarterMaths Teacher Edition (Silver) in 2018.

Due to the fantastic feedback we received from our 2017 HSC revision program, we have put together a “HSC Comprehensive Revision Series” that we recommend motivated students aiming for a Band 5 or 6 result should attempt, carefully review and annotate in Term 3, creating a concise and high quality revision resource. This revision series is available for the General 2, Mathematics and Extension 1 courses to all Silver subscribers.

It's coming out earlier this year which has allowed us to cover all the important areas we have identified in greater detail.
 

You can access the revision series here.

  
Again, our analysis on each topic, the common question types, past areas of difficulty and recent HSC trends all combine to create an extremely important revision set that ensures students cover a wide cross-section of the key areas we have carefully identified.

Note that a more condensed “Final HSC Revision Set” for interested students will be available at the start of October in the final stretch before the Mathematics HSC exam on 25 October, 2018.

IMPORTANT: If students have been exposed to many of the questions in these worksheets during the year, we say great! In sports vernacular, this is where cobwebs are turned into cables through repetition, confidence is built and speed through the paper is developed (an aspect we regard as critical to peak achievement).

Thank you for choosing SmarterMaths.

Best regards,

Matt Burgess
SmarterMaths
www.smartermaths.com.au
support@smartermaths.com.au
ph (02) 8007 3358

“I'm kicking myself that I didn't find SmarterMaths earlier!"

~ Prateek Kripal, Head of Mathematics, Mount Carmel Catholic College

 

Hi XXXX,

We're excited about this one!

Today we are releasing our new powerful RAP data filter. This incredibly useful tool, unique to SmarterMaths, has now taken a quantum leap in flexibility and will be available the next time you log in.

You can take a quick look at our video below to see exactly how this can work for you. Please note that incorporating your RAP data comes at no extra cost to all Silver Edition subscribers. You can do this easily by clicking here.

 

 

What's coming up?

• Our HSC final revision sheets will be rolling out earlier this year after the phenomenal feedback we received in 2017. All subscribers will be notified about the rollout of these in the coming 2 weeks.
• All RAP data analysis is now available in our new Standard 2 Teacher Edition program. 
• New courses ... no worries! SmarterMaths is positioned extremely well to roll out all new HSC courses with ease. All topic areas remaining in the new syllabuses will be kept and recategorised, while new topic areas will see a growing supplementary database of quality questions.

With syllabus changes, we've got you covered.

SmarterMaths

 

“I'm kicking myself that I didn't find SmarterMaths earlier!"

~ Prateek Kripal, Head of Mathematics, Mount Carmel Catholic College

 

Hi XXXX,

We're excited about this one!

Today we are releasing our new powerful RAP data filter. This incredibly useful tool, unique to SmarterMaths, has taken a quantum leap in flexibility and is now available.

You can take a quick look at our video below to see exactly how this can work for you. Please note that incorporating your RAP data comes at no extra cost to all Silver Edition subscribers. You can do this easily by clicking here.

 

 

What's coming up?

• Our HSC final revision sheets will be rolling out earlier this year after the phenomenal feedback we received in 2017. All subscribers will be notified about the rollout of these in the coming 2 weeks.
• All RAP data analysis is now available in our new Standard 2 Teacher Edition program. 
• New courses ... no worries! SmarterMaths is positioned extremely well to roll out all new HSC courses with ease. All topic areas remaining in the new syllabuses will be kept and recategorised, while new topic areas will see a growing supplementary database of quality questions.

With syllabus changes, we've got you covered.

SmarterMaths

 

“The NAPLAN program identifies our school weaknesses in a unique and powerful way. It saves our teachers hours, and we can now target areas where we have underperformed, with precision."

~ Dan Garner, Head Teacher, Kotara High School

 

Hi XXXX,

As promised last week, our new powerful Past Results Analysis filter has been rolled out and will be available the next time you log in.

This is an extremely useful tool for any maths department that wants to effortlessly identify their school's past weaknesses and immediately action this analysis with carefully selected questions.

You can take a quick look at our video below to see exactly how this can work for you.

 

 

Now remember that any school subscription to our NAPLAN Teacher program now includes:

• Unlimited online access for all teachers to our high quality base that allows teachers to create worksheets by topic and by band level.
• Integration of your school's past aggregated NAPLAN results data that lets you target past areas of weakness efficiently and effectively.
• Access to our NAPLAN adaptive online testing for individual students.

Thank you for subscribing!

SmarterMaths

“The NAPLAN program identifies our school weaknesses in a unique and powerful way. It saves our teachers hours, and we can now target areas where we have underperformed, with precision."

~ Dan Garner, Head Teacher, Kotara High School

 

Hi XXXX,

NAPLAN adaptive testing was implemented for 1 in 5 schools in 2018, and is predicted to be rolled out to all schools by the 2020 exam. Functional equivalence in your school's preparation takes one risk factor out of the mix. 

SmarterMaths adaptive online testing (version 2). Thousands of students prepared for the 2018 NAPLAN exam using the SmarterMaths' adaptive online program (which comes at no extra cost to our NAPLAN subscribers).

Version 2 of our online NAPLAN program will be released in coming weeks. You can look forward to:

• double the multi-adaptive preparation tests
• triple the multi-adaptive topic revision tests
• enhanced teacher feedback and
• a simple sign on system

 

On top of this, we've been busy over the holidays making big improvements to our flagship NAPLAN Teacher Edition. We've added a number of features and enhanced others that are now available.

• A larger question database
• 30% more subtopics to choose from
• Band filtering enhancements

  [fleeq for band filtering]

 

And rolling out in early August:

Past results data integration. Our new past results integration tool enables you to dictate what percentage of past underperforming results you want flagged. This has been hard-coded for the bottom quartile of a school's results in the past, but users will soon be able to specify exactly where this cut-off is.

We welcome you to come and trial the best value NAPLAN program in the market at www.smartermaths.com.au.

 

“The NAPLAN program identifies our school weaknesses in a unique and powerful way. It saves our teachers hours, and we can now target areas where we have underperformed, with precision."

~ Dan Garner, Head Teacher, Kotara High School

 

Hi XXXX,

NAPLAN adaptive testing was implemented for 1 in 5 schools in 2018, and is predicted to be rolled out to all schools by the 2020 exam. Functional equivalence in your school's preparation takes one risk factor out of the mix. 

SmarterMaths adaptive online testing (version 2). Thousands of students prepared for the 2018 NAPLAN exam using the SmarterMaths' adaptive online program (which comes at no extra cost to our NAPLAN subscribers).

Version 2 of our online NAPLAN program will be released in coming weeks. You can look forward to:

• double the multi-adaptive preparation tests
• triple the multi-adaptive topic revision tests
• enhanced teacher feedback and
• a simple sign on system

 

On top of this, we've been busy over the holidays making big improvements to our flagship NAPLAN Teacher Edition. We've added a number of features and enhanced others that are now available.

• A larger question database
• 30% more subtopics to choose from
• Band filtering enhancements

  [fleeq for band filtering]

 

And rolling out in early August:

Past results data integration. Our new past results integration tool enables you to dictate what percentage of past underperforming results you want flagged. This has been hard-coded for the bottom quartile of a school's results in the past, but users will soon be able to specify exactly where this cut-off is.

We welcome you to come and trial the best value NAPLAN program in the market at www.smartermaths.com.au.

 

“The NAPLAN program identifies our school weaknesses in a unique and powerful way. It saves our teachers hours, and we can now target areas where we have underperformed, with precision."

~ Dan Garner, Head Teacher, Kotara High School

 

Hi XXXX,

We've been busy over the holidays making big improvements to our NAPLAN Teacher Edition. We've added a number of features and enhanced others that will be available next time you log in.

• A larger question database
• 30% more subtopics to choose from
• Band filtering enhancements

  [fleeq for band filtering]

 

 

And rolling out in the coming weeks:

Past results data integration. Our new past results integration tool enables you to dictate what percentage of past underperforming results you want flagged. This has been hard-coded for the bottom quartile of a school's results in the past, but users will soon be able to specify exactly where this cut-off is.

Adaptive testing (version 2). Thousands of students prepared for last year's NAPLAN exam using our adaptive online program. With 20% of students doing an online adaptive exam in 2018, which is expected to increase to 100% by 2020, we have been working diligently to further enhance this feature (which comes at no extra cost to subscribers).

Version 2 of our online NAPLAN program will be released in coming weeks. You can look forward to:

• double the multi-adaptive preparation tests,
• triple the multi-adaptive topic revision,
• enhanced teacher feedback and
• a new simpler sign on system

 

Important Points to note on this revision resource

1. What do we mean by a "pure play" revision resource?
   • A pure play revision worksheet tends to minimise past Met2 longer answer questions that range across a wide variety of topics - some of which may not have been covered immediately after a topic finishes. This allows a teacher wants to expose students to past VCE Methods questions earlier.
2. What are some of the features of this revision resource?
   • Students get statistics on The Big Picture of Applied Calculus and how important Tangents and Normals are on an exam-by-exam basis.
   • A wide variety of multiple choice and Met1 questions are carefully chosen to expose students to a high quality revision set of past Methods exam questions over a range of difficulty levels. 
   • All questions are clearly labelled with "Calculator Allowed" or "Non-Calculator" icons for easy reference.
   • High quality solutions are provided and past state mean marks and marker's comments are highlighted when students have found the question challenging.
   • Remember that the SmarterMaths online VCE programs can add or remove any questions at a click to create a variation on this worksheet

Click the icon below to download the full worksheet:

Here is the quote

“Not only has SmarterMaths saved hours of my life, but the statistical analysis on every topic and the marker's comments are features we rarely find elsewhere ... truly effective!"
Sylvia Park, Science/Mathematics Teacher, Girraween High School

 

Hi XXXX,

Thank you for subscribing to SmarterMaths!

We aim to continually improve our offering to subscribers and are pleased to announce a few significant enhancements to our VCE Teacher Edition programs.

Topic Analysis Roll Out

• You are now able to access the "Big Picture" analysis (see image below) of how important any subject is in the context of each exam section in the final examinations. Include it (or not) at a click! (keep your eyes out for this feature in FurtherMaths in the coming weeks). 

Difficulty Band Icons enhanced

• We've moved from "Easy, Standard, Hard" icons to the more informative band icons (thanks to all the teachers who provided feedback on this development suggestion). A question's difficulty level will now be allocated a band level in the range 1-6, with actual state mean marks being a major input into this determination.

Other Question Icons

• All questions now have icons that clearly identify them as multiple choice or longer answer and calculator allowed or non-calculator with hover scripts to remind you of their meaning.
• Met2 longer answer questions now have a clear "MULTI" icon next to them to denote the likelihood of a broad cross-topic question - just in case the revision worksheet needs to be quite specific and the extensive content of these questions may not be appropriate.

 

For those of you interested in more details of our VCE Methods analysis, see below.

Thank you for choosing SmarterMaths, and you can expect more enhancements and features coming this year!

Best regards,

Matt Burgess
SmarterMaths

 

VCE Methods Analysis

We have painstakingly gone through the last decade of exams, eliminated areas that are no longer in the syllabus, and analysed and graphed contributions of each topic area. As a product of this dissection of each exam and its sections, we highlight common pitfalls and recommend key study focus areas.

If you haven't used this program feature before, examples of the information we research and highlight to teachers and students are included below:

• Logs and Exponentials (Met1 exam) - at least one dedicated question testing log laws or exponential algebra was asked every year between 2011-2015 but has been noticeably absent in the last 2 years and is worthy of attention. While generally well answered, most students struggle with recognising an exponential equation that is reducible to a quadratic (see 2015 Met1 Q7b and 2011 Met1 Q2b).
• Area Under Curves (Met2 Multiple Choice) - Area Under Curve multiple choice questions have been asked 12 times in the last 9 years. A significant contribution, albeit to the smallest "section" of the exams. The difficulty range of the multiple choice questions varies from standard to very difficult, with the 2 MC questions in 2017 notably causing major problems (and sub-50% mean marks).
• Probability Density Functions (Met1 exam) - Density Functions have been tested 5 times in Met1 since 2010 and are on trend to be examined in 2018 (after being left out of Met1 paper in 2017). This area has proven very challenging with half of the Met1 questions in this time producing sub-50% mean marks (and some much lower than 50%).

 

... and this is how it appears in your worksheets (at a click)!

Here is the quote

“Not only has SmarterMaths saved hours of my life, but the statistical analysis on every topic and the marker's comments are features we rarely find elsewhere ... truly effective!"
Sylvia Park, Science/Mathematics Teacher, Girraween High School

 

Hi XXXX,

After doing the hard yards in the classroom to understand the fundamentals and gain the confidence to tackle VCE standard questions, we think students benefit from seeing a clear picture of the past contributions of topics to the final exams and that they can use this knowledge to improve their revision.

Here's just one example that has jumped out at us after analysing a decade's worth of Methods exams ...

• Logs and Exponentials (Met1 exam) - at least one dedicated question testing log laws or exponential algebra was asked every year between 2011-2015 but has been noticeably absent in the last 2 years. While generally well answered, most students struggle with recognising an exponential equation that is reducible to a quadratic. We recommend any revision carefully look at: 2015 Met1 Q7b and 2011 Met1 Q2b.

We will be sending through more tips in the coming weeks, and as a no-strings attached resource for your teaching, download our free "pure play" VCE revision worksheets on Methods: Tangents and Normals here.

In the meantime, if you want a better idea of the type of analysis SmarterMaths allows you to include for every topic in your students' revision worksheets, take a look below.

... this is how it appears in your worksheets (at a click)!

If you want to kick the tyres of our VCE Teacher Edition courses or access more free resources, simply visit our main website here.

Best regards,

Matt Burgess
SmarterMaths
www.smartermaths.com.au
support@smartermaths.com.au
ph (02) 8007 3358

“Incredibly easy to use. Incredibly useful."

Tim Dalton, Head Teacher of Mathematics, Marrickville High

 

Hi XXXX,

The SmarterMaths online Adaptive Tests are now available!

All subscribing schools to our NAPLAN Teacher Edition receive this new feature at no extra cost.

Prepare your students for the 2018 NAPLAN exam using our online multi-adaptive test that is simple to use and provides immediate feedback to teachers on the band level at which each of their students is performing.

I want more information on using this resource.

Students can sit 60-minute or 30-minute practice exams, easily review questions they got wrong, revise specific strands and then do another online exam to see if they have improved - with all results immediately flowing through to the teacher.

In response to the many requests on how a subscribing school can utilise this resource, simply click onto one (or both) of the following short videos:

How Does The Program Work? (1m 19s)

Multi-Adaptive Testing Explained (1m 22s)

 

A teacher's snapshot of their classroom after completing an online exam is pictured below.

 

Matt Burgess
SmarterMaths
www.smartermaths.com.au
support@smartermaths.com.au
ph (02) 8007 3358

"At King's, we use SmarterMaths extensively. It is quick, effortless, incorporates our past results data and produces worksheets focused on specific topic areas.
~ John Sowden, Head of Mathematics, The King's School

 

Hi XXXX,

As highlighted two weeks ago, the rollout of our multi-adaptive online exams is on schedule to be released in Term 1, after the Easter break.

The online testing feature comes at no extra cost to all NAPLAN Teacher Edition subscribers.

Teachers can get an invaluable snapshot of the band level at which every student in his or her class is performing at in a single lesson using our latest test feature (see below). Students can then easily review questions they got wrong, revise a specific strand and then do another online exam to see if they have improved - with all results immediately flowing through to the teacher.

In response to the many requests for more information and how an individual teacher can utilise this resource, simply click onto one (or both) of the following short videos:

How Does The Program Work? (1m 19s)

Multi-Adaptive Testing Explained (1m 22s)

 

A teacher's snapshot of their classroom after completing an online exam is pictured below.

Happy Easter!

 

Matt Burgess
SmarterMaths
www.smartermaths.com.au
support@smartermaths.com.au
ph (02) 8007 3358

"The NAPLAN program identifies our school weaknesses in a unique and powerful way. It saves our teachers hours of time in preparation and we can now target areas where we have underperformed, with precision."
~ Dan Garner, Head Mathematics Teacher, Kotara High

 

Hi XXXX,

After consistent customer requests and feedback, our online NAPLAN Teacher Edition program now includes multi-adaptive online exams at no extra cost.

Features of the online testing program include:

• Immediate teacher feedback on the band level at which every student is performing.
• 60 min and 30 min practice exams to complete in class or at home.
• Strand revision exams to target problem areas.

An invaluable snapshot of the band level at which every student in your class is performing can be produced in a single lesson using our new test feature (see below). 

Watch this space!

More details of this highly anticipated feature of our NAPLAN Teacher Edition program will be sent through in the coming days.

 

Best regards,

Matt Burgess
SmarterMaths
www.smartermaths.com.au
support@smartermaths.com.au
ph (02) 8007 3358

"The NAPLAN program identifies our school weaknesses in a unique and powerful way. It saves our teachers hours of time in preparation and we can now target areas where we have underperformed, with precision."
~ Dan Garner, Head Mathematics Teacher, Kotara High

 

Hi XXXX,

After consistent customer requests and feedback, our online NAPLAN Teacher Edition program now includes multi-adaptive online exams at no extra cost.

Features of the online testing program include:

• Immediate teacher feedback on the band level at which every student is performing.
• 60 min and 30 min practice exams to complete in class or at home.
• Strand revision exams to target problem areas.

An invaluable snapshot of the band level at which every student in your class is performing can be produced in a single lesson using our new test feature (see below). 

Watch this space! 

More details of this highly anticipated feature of our NAPLAN Teacher Edition program will be sent through in the coming days.

 

Best regards,

Matt Burgess
SmarterMaths
www.smartermaths.com.au
support@smartermaths.com.au
ph (02) 8007 3358

"The NAPLAN program identifies our school weaknesses in a unique and powerful way. It saves our teachers hours of time in preparation and we can now target areas where we have underperformed, with precision."
~ Dan Garner, Head Mathematics Teacher, Kotara High

 

Hi XXXX,

Multi-Adaptive online NAPLAN testing will be available to all NAPLAN Teacher Edition subscribers after Easter, at no extra cost.

Features of the online testing program include:

• Immediate teacher feedback on the band level at which every student is performing.
• 60 min and 30 min practice exams to complete in class or at home.
• Strand revision exams to target problem areas.

An invaluable snapshot of the band level at which every student in your class is performing can be produced in a single lesson using our new test feature (see below). 

WATCH THIS SPACE! 

More details of this highly anticipated feature of our NAPLAN Teacher Edition program will be sent through in the coming days.

Thank you for choosing SmarterMaths, and as always, you can expect more enhancements and features coming soon!

 

Best regards,

Matt Burgess
SmarterMaths
www.smartermaths.com.au
support@smartermaths.com.au
ph (02) 8007 3358

“I just wanted to say, your product is awesome! Continually impressed by what you are doing. Stand out performer relative to your competitors. Keep up the good work!"
Ben Bridges, Mathematics Teacher, The King's School

 

Hi XXXX,

Our HSC analyses for the 2018 Mathematics and Extension 1 exams have now been rolled out! 

Over a thousand HSC teachers now produce the most up to date, high quality HSC revision resources for their students using our program.

But don't take our word for it!

See for yourself in the attached free HSC anlaysis and worksheet that you can use as a revision resource for your students, no strings attached. You can download the free worksheet here:

Mathematics Extension 1, Topic 14, Rates of Change

A sample of the type of information we research and highlight to teachers and students (and make available in all topic revision resources) is below:

• Topic 14, Mathematics course
  Exponential Growth and Decay (4.1%) has produced the highest mean marks of any sub-category within Topic 14, although the simultaneous growth and decay of fish populations in the 2013 exam caused major problems and deserves particular attention.
• Topic 11, Mathematics course
  Simpson's and Trapezoidal Rule (2.6%) Beware of the myth that Simpson's Rule and Trapezoidal rule questions are the easiest marks in the course. While the standard formula and calculations are generally well answered, the follow up questions have produced horrible results (sub-50% mean marks in 5 out of the last 7 years, including 2017).
• Topic 14, Extension 1
  Rates of Change (3.9%) has been asked in 9 out of the last 10 years (omitted only in 2015). The 2017 exam's 1-mark allocation was an outlier with all pre-2017 questions worth between 3-6 marks. 
  Pitfalls: The use of non-right angled trig in this context was examined in 2013 and poorly answered. Not tested again since and worthy of a revision focus.

... and this is how it appears in your worksheets (at a click)!

If you want a closer look and to access more free resources, simply register as a trial user here.

Best regards,

Matt Burgess
SmarterMaths
www.smartermaths.com.au
support@smartermaths.com.au
ph (02) 8007 3358

“I just wanted to say, your product is awesome! Continually impressed by what you are doing. Stand out performer relative to your competitors. Keep up the good work!"
Ben Bridges, Mathematics Teacher, The King's School

 

Hi XXXX,

Our HSC analyses for the 2018 Mathematics and Extension 1 exams have now been rolled out! 

As a thankyou for looking at our program in the past, we have attached a free worksheet that you can use as a revision resource for your students, no strings attached. You can download the free worksheet here:

Mathematics, Topic 14, Exponential Growth and Decay, Analysis and 45-minute worksheet

If you didn't get a chance to look at our past HSC analysis feature last time you logged in, a sample of the type of information we research and highlight to teachers and students (and make available in all revision resources) is below:

• Topic 14, Mathematics course
  Exponential Growth and Decay (4.1%) has produced the highest mean marks of any sub-category within Topic 14, although the simultaneous growth and decay of fish populations in the 2013 exam caused major problems and deserves particular attention.
• Topic 11, Mathematics course
  Simpson's and Trapezoidal Rule (2.6%) Beware of the myth that Simpson's Rule and Trapezoidal rule questions are the easiest marks in the course. While the standard formula and calculations are generally well answered, the follow up questions have produced horrible results (sub-50% mean marks in 5 out of the last 7 years, including 2017).
• Topic 14, Extension 1
  Rates of Change (3.9%) has been asked in 9 out of the last 10 years (omitted only in 2015). The 2017 exam's 1-mark allocation was an outlier with all pre-2017 questions worth between 3-6 marks. 
  Pitfalls: The use of non-right angled trig in this context was examined in 2013 and poorly answered. Not tested again since and worthy of a revision focus.

... and this is how it appears in your worksheets (at a click)!

INSERT LOGIN DETAILS HERE

Best regards,

Matt Burgess
SmarterMaths
www.smartermaths.com.au
support@smartermaths.com.au
ph (02) 8007 3358

“I just wanted to say, your product is awesome! Continually impressed by what you are doing. Stand out performer relative to your competitors. Keep up the good work!"
Ben Bridges, Mathematics Teacher, The King's School

 

Hi XXXX,

As promised two weeks ago, Mathematics and Extension 1 Silver edition subscribers can now see the 2018 HSC analyses in all topics.

Lots of interesting stuff jumped out when we took a good look at the past HSC trends. While our philosophy is firmly to prepare for every possible question, we also see sense in weighting revision slightly toward more likely topic areas. No program works harder than SmarterMaths to help you revise efficiently.

If you haven't used this program feature before, some examples of the information we research and highlight to teachers and students for 2018 are included below:

• Topic 14, Mathematics course
  Exponential Growth and Decay (4.1%) has produced the highest mean marks of any sub-category within Topic 14, although the simultaneous growth and decay of fish populations in the 2013 exam caused major problems and deserves particular attention.
• Topic 11, Mathematics course
  Simpson's and Trapezoidal Rule (2.6%) Beware of the myth that Simpson's Rule and Trapezoidal rule questions are the easiest marks in the course. While the standard formula and calculations are generally well answered, the follow up questions have produced horrible results (sub-50% mean marks in 5 out of the last 7 years, including 2017).
• Topic 14, Extension 1
  Rates of Change (3.9%) has been asked in 9 out of the last 10 years (omitted only in 2015). The 2017 exam's 1-mark allocation was an outlier with all pre-2017 questions worth between 3-6 marks. 
  Pitfalls: The use of non-right angled trig in this context was examined in 2013 and poorly answered. Not tested again since and worthy of a revision focus.

... and this is how it appears in your worksheets (at a click)!

Thank you for choosing SmarterMaths, and you can expect more enhancements and features coming this year!

Best regards,

Matt Burgess
SmarterMaths
www.smartermaths.com.au
support@smartermaths.com.au
ph (02) 8007 3358

Here is the quote

 

“Not only has SmarterMaths saved hours of my life, but the statistical analysis on every topic and the marker's comments are features we rarely find elsewhere ... truly effective!"
Sylvia Park, Science/Mathematics Teacher, Girraween High School

 

Hi XXXX,

Subscribers to our HSC program have given us great feedback about our HSC analysis each year, and we're pleased to announce that the SmarterMaths analysis for the 2018 HSC Mathematics General 2 exam is now available for all Silver edition subscribers!

Mathematics and Extension 1 Silver edition subscribers will see the 2018 analyses in these courses appear over the next few weeks.

If you haven't used this program feature before, examples of the information we research and highlight to teachers and students are included below:

• MM6 Circle Geometry
  Markers' Comments of note: Calculating the time difference between places from an angular difference is a proven problem area from past exams. It stumped 50% of students in 2017, 2014 and 2013, and simply requires the application of  15° = 1 hour, or 1° = 4 minutes difference.
• FS Driving: Depreciation
  Depreciation has been tested every year in the last decade, except 2016 (and only a 1-mark multiple choice in 2017). Its average allocation during this time has been a substantial 2.0%. This topic area has been under-examined in the last 4 years and warrants a revision focus.
• Focus Study: Communications
  Digital download and file storage questions definitely represents the hardest sub-topic in this focus study, noting that the mean marks in 2017, 2016 and 2015 HSC questions flagged a lack of understanding by a majority of students.

 

... and this is how it appears in your worksheets (at a click)!

Thank you for choosing SmarterMaths, and you can expect more enhancements and features coming this year!

Best regards,

Matt Burgess
SmarterMaths
www.smartermaths.com.au
support@smartermaths.com.au
ph (02) 8007 3358