ADCET Webinar: Rethinking the Calculator - Building Confidence in Maths with DysCalculator (Vendor demonstration)

Thu 26 Nov 2026 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm AEDT

Online

Event details

Learners with dyscalculia and maths anxiety are found across primary, secondary, tertiary, vocational and adult education. Yet many educators receive little formal training in recognising or supporting their needs. As a result, capable learners can face unnecessary barriers to participation, confidence and achievement, and may not get the chance to show what they understand.

This webinar introduces DysCalculator, the world’s first digital calculator designed specifically for learners with dyscalculia and maths anxiety. Rather than simply producing answers, it reimagines what a calculator can be by making mathematical thinking visible. Learners can explore accessible visual representations, follow calculations step by step, and view mathematics in multiple formats. These features are designed to reduce cognitive load, support understanding and help learners build confidence and independence. By making the process easier to see and follow, DysCalculator helps learners focus on the mathematical ideas behind an answer, rather than calculation alone.

Free, fully featured and web-based, DysCalculator requires no installation and works on any device. It is available in multiple languages. Its accessibility and flexible formats make it a practical resource for educators working with learners of different ages, backgrounds and levels of mathematical confidence.

Through live demonstrations and hands-on activities, participants will explore how the tool works and consider ways to use it in their own teaching or learning support. The session will also build participants’ understanding of dyscalculia and maths anxiety, including how these experiences can affect learners’ confidence, participation and engagement with mathematics. Participants will gain practical strategies for recognising possible support needs and responding in ways that affirm learners’ strengths.

The webinar will connect these strategies with Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles, showing how accessible representations, clear steps and flexible ways to engage with mathematics can help create more inclusive learning environments for everyone.

Participants will leave with greater confidence, practical ideas they can implement immediately, and free access to an innovative digital tool. Together, these approaches can help remove avoidable barriers and make mathematics learning more understandable, supportive and empowering for the learners they work with.

Social media handles / website:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dyscalculator/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dyscalculator
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dyscalculator/
• Website: https://www.dyscalculia.co.nz

Audience: Educators, learning support professionals and anyone interested in challenging the layout features of a traditional calculator and exploring more accessible, confidence-building ways to engage with maths across primary, secondary, tertiary, vocational and adult education.

Presenters

Gary Sharpe is the founder of ExplainIT NZ and the original developer of DysCalculator and Numbers Explorer. With many years of direct experience working alongside people with dyscalculia and maths anxiety, Gary has led the design and development of tools that prioritise clarity, accessibility, and real-world usability. His work is grounded in practical problem-solving and long-term collaboration with learners, educators, and education organisations. In recognition of his contribution to numeracy education, Gary received the 2025 New Zealand Numeracy Educator Award from Ako Aotearoa. DysCalculator was also recognised with the 2026 ADCET Accessibility in Action Award (Project and Team category), and the Flexible Learning Association of New Zealand (FLANZ) 2026 Award.

Michael Grawe is Co-Director of ExplainIT NZ, PLD Manager at Pathways Awarua, and Client Relations Manager for Observodon. With over 25 years’ experience across adult literacy and numeracy, ESOL, IT, and professional learning, he has worked extensively with educators, education organisations, and learners across Aotearoa New Zealand and internationally. Michael focuses on translating research, experience, and inclusive practice into practical approaches that support learner confidence, independence, and success. His work includes accessible learning, educational technology, video-based learning and assessment, and neurodiversity, with a particular interest in using technology to make learning and learner capability more visible.

The webinar is free to attend, and it will be live-captioned.

Registrations for this webinar are now open

Webinar Connection Info

ADCET webinars use Zoom. To participate, you will need access to the Zoom platform.

• Download and create a free account at Zoom
• How to attend a Zoom event and use audience controls
• Accessibility features in Zoom

Please refer to ADCET's Privacy and Disclaimer Policies page for information regarding the use of Artificial Intelligence during ADCET's webinars.

ADCET is hosted by the University of Tasmania

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