How is CMA’s mental different form learning using the abacus in the traditional way? And how is it so uniquely effective that parents and children report that their performance across subjects (and not only Mathematics) has improved by leaps and bounds? “(From what I have gleaned during my observation), the children’s learning to master such complex mathematics are scaffolded by first using the abacus and then through visual imagery of an imaginary abacus,” says Associate Professor Lim. “Moving from the concrete to the imaginary through structured scaffolding, while maintaining the success and motivation of the learner in performing mathematical calculations, is a powerful approach to engaging learning."
Makes use of the principles of soroban (Japanese-style abacus) and involves mental calculation, speed training, response training as well as multimedia-based learning; Requires both hands at its abacus training, unlike the traditional one-hand method; Ropes in the creative right brain in creating a visual of the abacus while making use of the left brain to manipulate the virtual abacus, achieving speedy mental calculation previously only achievable by math geniuses.
"Several studies have indicated that traditional calculation using number symbols such as Arabic numerals involves greater activation and coordination of verbal, visual, and executive centres of the brain” points out Dr Cho. “(In CMA’s case,) mental arithmetic visualising abacus beads relies more on activating the visual centre of the brain and less on verbal or executive areas. This may be because representing numbers using beads is more inherently straight-forward and involves less linguistic processing of number symbols. In other words, your brain does not need to work as hard to perform the calculations, which is a good thing.
“Many of the formulae studied by the kids are literally EXACTLY the same from texts written over a millennia ago. However, CMA has developed a unique systematic method for teaching ancient skills."
Brain Image Training
Abacus mental arithmetic is based on Brain Imaging, also known as Image Memory. This is how humans see and capture the image of object like a camera. Students are trained to be able to visualise the abacus image clearly in their brain, manipulating this image to perform quick, accurate mental arithmetic calculations.
Online Learning
Online practice is another learning avenue that ups the level of fun during learning, as there are various kinds and difficulty levels of exercises available here. This way, the student is able to practice more frequently and conveniently.
Multimedia Teaching
The use of multimedia materials makes the lesson livelier and more interesting. Visual and aural senses are also stimulated.
Special Training
Dual hand training creates an all-round education which simplifies working steps and speeds up mental calculations. Through Listen-And-Calculate training and See-And-Calculate training, student's perceptibility, judgment and inferring abilities will be enhanced. They will develop better hearing sensitivity, concentration and memory. They can have more imaginative power and patience through high-speed calculations.
Flash Memory Computation
This method improves one’s photographic memory. It allows the child to remember information and numbers at a glance, as well as perform calculations at a glance.
Numeric Association
This is a linking memory technique that helps to associate numerals with objects. It helps children to retrieve information quickly.
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