The founder of the online mathematics school Fibo, Samvel Oganesyan, told us about the principles by which they select teachers, whether it is possible to learn mathematics online, and how to become a winner of prestigious math competitions
For many, mathematics is one of the most difficult school subjects. It is abstract, its study requires developed logical thinking and the ability to operate with a large amount of knowledge, so people often decide that they do not have a mathematical mindset and that this science is inaccessible to them. In reality, developing mathematical thinking is a skill that can be learned. With the right approach to the educational process, difficulties can be easily overcome. We discussed where to find the best mathematics education for children with the founder of the Fibo math school, Samvel Oganesyan.
— Samvel, the Fibo platform is an educational tool that helps create a strong academic foundation in mathematics. Why did you choose this direction?
— Unfortunately, problems with learning mathematics in school exist all over the world. According to data from the United States Department of Education, 74% of American children have difficulties with this subject. There are many reasons: children are distracted by various gadgets, they find it difficult to focus on subjects that require a bit more effort, low motivation, and so on. Even before launching the school, when we analyzed platforms offering various lessons, we found that every second parent chooses mathematics. Children struggle even with mastering basic skills, to the point where they simply cannot count. You ask a child to add 26 and 33, and they withdraw into themselves for five minutes.
In America, starting from the 3rd grade, children have to take exams in English and mathematics. English is easier because they study and speak it, although there are also problems, but not as severe as with mathematics. Parents want their children to have not only proper mathematical knowledge but also good grades by the end of the year. So, we decided that we needed to create a math school. We have been in this business for five years.
— You have an online school, so children can study not only from America?
— We have children from Europe, Canada, and America. We developed the program in Armenia, and many teachers are from Armenia, where there has always been a very strong mathematical school, but we also have teachers from America. Our instructors are fluent in both Russian and English.
— How was the program developed, and how does it differ from the school curriculum, for example, the American education system?
— The math program in America is structured in such a way that it covers a lot but does not delve deeply into the topics. There is also no sequence, with topics jumping from one to another. It is more applied: how to calculate taxes, how to determine the required amount for shopping, but in mathematics, a scientific approach is important, the development of thinking.
How did we develop the program?
We purchased American, Canadian, European, and even Singaporean textbooks, based our program on the American ones, but enriched it so that children could study mathematics in depth. We developed various levels of difficulty so that every child feels comfortable.
— Let’s talk about the levels.
— Each lesson consists of three levels, plus an Olympiad program, such as the International “Kangaroo” competition.
Before enrolling in our school, children take a test, and we see which topics each child has missed (doesn’t understand fractions, multiplication, etc.). When the teacher begins the lesson, they have a button on their monitor indicating the student’s level of knowledge. If the student handles the tasks at this level, the subject becomes more challenging. Our lessons are individual, but sometimes there can be two students in one lesson. The teacher can see the knowledge and understanding of each student, and it sometimes happens that one child is working on the first level, while the other is on the second. In other words, the teacher explains the topic of the day and gives different tasks.
— Is the Fibo platform an alternative to private math lessons?
— Yes, and not only that. It is also an alternative to school-based math education. Nowadays, many parents choose homeschooling as an alternative to traditional school. They prefer to teach their children independently and take them to various extracurricular activities in a more targeted manner. They can take math with us and cover that subject. By attending lessons twice a week, the child can thoroughly learn the program. Sometimes students come from public school for additional knowledge, although it sometimes happens that math is not well taught in private schools either.
— How do you enroll in the school?
— You need to visit the website and leave your contact details—phone, email. After understanding which grade the child is in, we give a test and determine which teacher is needed. Everything is done “personally”: we discuss the details, offer a trial lesson, and carefully select a teacher. If a child is in the third grade but is very capable, they can study fourth-grade topics while returning to anything missed or misunderstood in the third grade. Everything is very individual. We provide 24/7 support, and you can call us anytime.
— What age groups do you teach? Can an adult enroll in the school if they want to review the school curriculum?
— We teach children from third to sixth grade, but sometimes we have seven-year-olds, so the age range is flexible. It’s also worth noting that we accept everyone because there are specialized schools where only gifted children study, or, on the contrary, only children with special needs. One of our main advantages is that all children can learn with us, as lessons are one-on-one with the teacher, or, if the parents wish, there can be a maximum of two students in a group. Adults can also study; we will select a suitable teacher.
— Can you enroll in the middle of the year?
— You can join us on any day, and we will tailor the knowledge to the required date. For example, if parents discover a knowledge gap in November, we can catch up by May, in time for exams. Each class consists of approximately 72 lessons, and these need to be completed to have a comprehensive understanding of the subject.
— I heard that your prices are affordable. How do you manage to keep them low?
— Our prices are indeed low compared to similar services in the United States. First, we understand that it’s difficult for parents with rising costs; second, most of our teachers are from Armenia, which allows us to maintain such a pricing level. A class with two children for 60 minutes costs $22 per child, and an individual lesson between a child and teacher costs $30. So, if there are two children—twins, or you simply find another child who wants to study math—you can study for $22 per person.
If we talk about competitors, for example, in Los Angeles, where I lived for about 15 years, the cost of group lessons is $50/hour.
— If a parent or student is not satisfied with the teacher, can they be replaced?
— Sometimes the best child and the best teacher don’t click, and we offer the opportunity to change the teacher twice. That means we can provide a new teacher three times. However, it’s important to note that this almost never happens. During casting, our teachers go through six levels of selection-interviews, test classes; we have a competition-80 people per spot. The distinguishing feature of our teachers is their love for children and mathematics as a way of life. It is impossible for us to have a teacher who, for example, is a winemaker and works a few hours with us on the side; you will get a professional teacher.
Samvel, you are the father of four children and the founder of a math school. Are there children who cannot be taught mathematics?
— No. Children are born knowing mathematics at their own level; they just need to be allowed to develop without interference. Mathematics should not be purely entertaining; during the lesson, the focus should be on learning. We teach children to think and solve problems in different ways.
Of course, we do have some playful elements, math puzzles, and so on. Hollywood screenwriters know that even in the saddest movie, you need to make the audience laugh every 15-20 minutes so they don’t fall asleep. Our teachers also choose this approach, and in every lesson, there are two math games that children love. Our rule is that the lesson should be serious, but with moments of relief. After each class, we provide students with video materials. At the beginning of each lesson, there is a 3-5 minute animation on the topic. Over four years, we have created almost 600 videos. And many things are illustrated because children now love beautiful designs. Even if you forget a topic after a month, you can go to your personal account, select the topic, take the test, and refresh your memory. Though we do a lot of repetition during the lessons.
— Do you issue any state-recognized certificates?
— We cannot issue state-recognized certificates. But children receive various awards, like in a game — ‘you have moved to the next level.’ We have results, and that is the main criterion. Last year, out of 100 children, only two left us—one child moved to our chess school on the same platform, and the other simply did not respond well to online lessons. Over the years the school has existed, this is practically my first interview; it’s somewhat uncomfortable to praise oneself, but if you say something good about your creation, it should be when there are results. I believe the results are already quite good. We have two students who are Olympiad winners.
— And one last question. Although I have a hunch, could you still explain where the name Fibo comes from? Fibonacci?
— Yes, I am very fond of the medieval mathematician Leonardo of Pisa, better known by his nickname Fibonacci, and his vision of the world. I love space and everything natural; I live in the forest, in San Bernardino. Fibonacci understood how our galaxy is structured. Children are born, snails live, and works of art are created according to this principle. Everything in our lives grows and thrives according to Fibonacci’s principle.
What is Fibonacci sequence
The Fibonacci sequence is a series of numbers where each subsequent number is the sum of the previous two. The sequence begins with the numbers 0 and 1. For example, the first numbers in the sequence are: 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, and so on. It is commonly found in nature, for example, in sunflower seeds, rows of corn kernels, etc.
