brain maths!

"I would like to tell you about a scientific research on how to train your brain through arithmetic and reading. Have you heard of a book entitled “Train Your Brain”? It was written by the first researcher on the human brain in Japan, Professor Ryuta Kawashima from Tohoku University. Professor Kawashima has 4 sons. One day, he observed his elder son playing video games at home while his younger son was concentrating on his Maths worksheets. Wondering whose brain is doing more work, he decided to get research students from the university to participate in an experiment. Comparing the brain activity of one group of students playing computer games with another group who did addition sums of 1-digit numbers, he discovered interesting results. The brain activity of students doing simple arithmetic sums is more active than the brain of those playing computer games, which is active in only 2 areas; the visual area (controlling images) and the motor area (controlling movement).

"The frontal lobe of the brain is the control centre of the entire brain. Activating this part of the brain amounts to training the entire brain. Reading aloud in English or Mandarin can achieve the same effect.

"Our Singapore Office staff are working closely with instructors to help every student in Kumon to train his/her brain through reading, writing and doing arithmetic."

Or it could be dead wrong.

I don't care. What I like about this passage is: this is marketing material.

This is marketing material citing research on the brain.

As opposed to marketing material citing, say, 21st century skills, real world contexts (Antopolis), making connections, balanced assessments, or the five myths that surround mathematics reform efforts and Standards-based curricula.

I could go on.

Souped up brain waves in children doing arithmetic sums may be nonsense on stilts. It doesn't matter.

If you're going to pitch me, at least tell me something I want to hear.

Back to main page.

Comments

Okay, my county just recently adopted the Everyday Math curriculum and we have ZERO Kumon centers here- anyone want to open a franchise with me?

Nicksmama

-- KtmGuest - 20 Oct 2005

Hi Nicksmama!

Actually, that's not a bad idea (I think Barbara Oakley told me to do the same.)

I have an article on Kumon franchises....I think it's on my other computer.

I'll post it tomorrow!

-- CatherineJohnson - 20 Oct 2005

Now I'm curious as to what they make, moneywise. I find it hard to believe that the company would allow so many to concentrate in one area if they all weren't able to make money somehow. I'm guessing the home office makes more money as the franchisee makes more money, but being so big, they have to have amassed a lot of knowledge about why a Kumon center would be successful in a certain area or not.

There is also a built-in attrition rate for these kinds of things since it's the same as starting your own fledgling business, only with the help of a big company. I'm guessing they need for instructors to be successful so that they make more money as well.

I wonder who handles advertising. I see more of it than I used to, but still, not as much as their success would lead you to expect.

We need an anonymous interview with a Kumon instructor or something to give us the goods.

-- SusanS - 20 Oct 2005

The best advertising would be to find the schools using Everyday math and stand outside the school when the parents pick up the kids handing out flyers.

-- KDeRosa - 20 Oct 2005

Don't you love the look on the teacher's face?

We should have a caption contest for that.

-- CatherineJohnson - 20 Oct 2005

"Instructor Woo points to one of Amisyas' explorations and tells him she's having a difficult time finding any math at all let alone the correct answer"

-- KDeRosa - 20 Oct 2005

"Now I'm curious as to what they make, moneywise. I find it hard to believe that the company would allow so many to concentrate in one area if they all weren't able to make money somehow."

Me too. I went to their web site and looked under franchise opportunities. I put in my state and found that they listed 7/8 towns available(?) within 20 miles of where I live. They say that the centers are independently owned and operated, but it also sounds like you can't just set one up anywhere. Perhaps this is a new limitation. They say that it takes an investment of between $8,000 and $30,000 and that you need between 1,000 and 1,500 sq. ft. of space.

The web site says that it costs between $80 and $110 per month per subject. The exact price is apparently up to the franchisee. I tried to find the details of what is provided for this money (time-wise), but couldn't find it.

Catherine says:

"Off the top of my head, Kumon gives children worksheets that take up 20 minutes a day, 5 to 6 days a week. I believe that you also go to the center once or, at most, twice a week. Those sessions are either 30 minutes or 1 hour; I don't remember."

The site says that students typically go there twice a week, but they didn't say for how long. I assume that the instructor goes over the work the student has been doing at home and a timed test is given to check for competence. If they get a high enough grade (100%?), then they move on to the next set of problems. I can't imagine that this is done in just 1/2 hour. I would guess that the lessons constitute very small incremental increases in difficulty. The instructor does not have much time to introduce new material.

If the cost is $100/month, then for one hour, twice a week, that comes out to (4 weeks per month) that comes out to $12.50 per hour. Way too low. It has to be 2 one-half hour sessions a week. Even $25 per hour is low. Then there are the operating costs. Maybe I am missing something, but this doesn't sound like a good business opportunity.

However, $1200 per year to far outshine your classmates? If it works, then this is a bargain for the parents.

Using the Kumon model I have, $1200 for math, $1200 for reading/english, $1200 for history/geography, $1200 for science, $1200 for languages, $1200 for arts. If you take off the summer (2 months), you have $1000/subject. OK, I'm up to $6000 per year. Our public schools cost $12,000 per year and the private schools are at least that. And, at those places we get curricula like MathLand and EveryDay^? Math. Public schools are telling us that we don't need teachers, just facilitators. They want students to do the work and become active, and not passive learners. Well, I think we found the perfect model. Towns will provide the space and instructors/facilitators will come in to work with students on a one-to-one basis. Customized education where each student can progress at his/her own pace. Perfect. Students will compete to be the one furthest ahead.

I won't hold my breath. However, as a method for supporting homeschooling, it doesn't sound too bad. With the right materials (Singapore Math) and a little background in the subject, you don't even have to use the outside service.

-- SteveH - 20 Oct 2005

"Instructor Woo points to one of Amisyas' explorations and tells him she's having a difficult time finding any math at all let alone the correct answer"

That really is the look on her face, isn't it???

-- CatherineJohnson - 20 Oct 2005

Did any of you take the "kumon franchisee" quiz?

I took it and answered all the questions very honestly; I have no experience in ANY of that stuff. The quiz still told me that I was a prime candidate and that they'd like to talk to me. Hmmmm....

-- CarolynJohnston - 20 Oct 2005