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Partnership brings AI maths tutor to NZ schools

19 Mar 2019

Software company Jaipuna and the Open Polytechnic’s School Strategy division have rolled out an AI programme that allows secondary school students to access a tutor whenever they want, 24/7.

The AI-based tool, called AMY, is the first of its kind in New Zealand. It’s designed to help schools improve student achievement standards in mathematics.

AMY is modelled on a real-life human private tutor. Through personalised pathways and real-time feedback, AMY works with students to help solve maths equations, and to work out where students need to improve. 

Each student’s journey is reported back to the classroom teacher, who can then use the information for reporting and for planning the next learning steps.
Jaipuna CEO Raphael Nolden says the AI product is different from other maths programmes that are currently available in schools.

“AMY can understand why students make a mistake, and then teach them what they need straight away so they don't get stuck. It helps every student learn exactly what they need to reach the learning outcome the teacher has set for the class,” says Nolden.

AMY has already been successfully trialled in schools across Wellington and Auckland.

“We are excited about the possibilities AMY can bring to the way math is taught and learnt in schools. Students have different competency levels in math,” says Open Polytechnic executive director of School Strategy, Alex MacCreadie.

“The beauty of AMY is that it is built to first learn from the student, what their strengths and weaknesses in math are, and then from there create an individualised pathway for the student that will work on filling any knowledge gaps.”

AMY is accessible through the Open Polytechnic’s iQualify online learning platform.

“Teachers have found they have been able offer better support of their students using AMY,” continues MacCreadie. 

“Often a student just needs a wee reminder of a previously taught concept and AMY achieves this; while bigger gaps in their learning are highlighted to the teacher allowing them to be more effective,” he concludes.

AMY is offered in New Zealand through an exclusive partnership with Open Polytechnic’s iQualify for Schools and Jaipuna.