Online training for maths 'interests Welsh minister'

It is apparently not just children aged 11 to 14 who are interested in one online learning website.

Gareth Jones has been developing software for more than a decade, the Ormskirk and Skelmersdale Advertiser reports.

He has introduced an educational platform that helps youngsters to understand maths at Key Stage 3 level, unveiling it a few weeks ago at BETT, the UK's largest trade show for e-learning technology and resources.

"We have collaborated with real teachers to develop software that looks like video games but has the educational value of being at school," Mr Jones said.

Entitled Learnalot, the tool can be used by adults as well and has even attracted the attention of Welsh minister for education Leighton Andrews.

Last month, it was reported that with the support of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, researchers at Queen's University Belfast have developed a computer game that may train grown-ups in making life decisions.