The traditional maths classroom needs an overhaul
In order to combat South African pupils’ under-performance in mathematics, Associate Professor of Mathematics Jon Davis will be presenting a lecture at Scifest Africa that examines transforming the mathematics classroom at a grassroots level.
In his lecture Using Educational Technology to learn Mathematics Davis problematises the current set-up of the mathematics classroom and curriculum, then introduces novel technology as a solution to learning maths.
“Despite the presence of an array of technologies such as smartphones that can pinpoint our locations on the Earth [to] within a few meters students still sit in desks, arranged in rows, facing a blackboard and teacher armed with chalk,” says Davis. “A teacher from the 1900s would not only be comfortable with the teaching tools present in the mathematics classroom of today, he or she would also most likely be comfortable with the mathematics content, as it has not undergone significant changes.”
Among the multiple barriers that influence technology use in the classroom, the time it takes teachers to learn how to use new mathematical action technology is the first hurdle that has to be mounted. “Many technologies require that teachers rethink how they teach mathematics, which can be one of the more difficult barriers for schools to overcome in bringing mathematical technology into the classroom,” says Davis.
The lecture will include available mathematical technologies to help children develop a deep understanding of numbers to computer algebra systems that can solve most mathematics problems students encounter in grade 12.
With the celebration of Scifest Africa’s 21st anniversary only weeks away, Jon Davis’s Using Educational Technology to learn Mathematics is only one of the many enriching lectures on the educational lecture programme.
The theme for this year’s festival is “Tour de Science” with reference to the UN declared International Year for Sustainable Tourism for Development. Through the continued support from the department of science and technology, Scifest Africa will provide a diverse programme that encourages visitors to embark on a journey that explores the milestones, accomplishments, mysteries, discoveries, and the historic and exciting wonders of different fields of science.
For more on mathematics and science curriculum transformation, also look out for Maren Seehawer’s lecture How local Elders Improved our Science Classroom. In her lecture, Seehawer explains that the South African science curriculum invites teachers to teach indigenous knowledge, but provides little guidance about how to do it. She then poses questions to stimulate thinking around integrating indigenous knowledge into the curriculum and presents lessons learnt from her research to form an ongoing educational journey.
The festival promises an inspiring and educational experience for everyone so look out for the electronic programme available at www.scifest.org.za. Ticket bookings can be made at www.tickethut.co.za/scifes or for telephonic bookings contact 08600002004.