CONFERENCE FOR MATH TEACHERS, a report.
PURPOSE: ENABLING MATHEMATICS LEARNING THROUGH TECHNOLOGY
ORGANIZED BY: RAMANUJAN FOUNDATION FOR INITIATIVES IN MATHEMATICS EDUCATION(RFIME)
CHIEF GUEST: SHRI VINEET JOSHI, CHAIRMAN, CBSE
HELD ON: 2 AND 3JULY, 2012
TIMINGS: 8:30AM – 4:30PM
VENUE: INDIA INTERNATIONAL CENTRE, NEW DELHI
ATTENDED BY: Ms. ALKA KANWAR AND Ms. SANDHYA BATHEJA from our School.
“Mathematics has traditionally been perceived as difficult. The primary reason for this state of mathematics learning today is the significant gap between content and pedagogy. In order to bridge this gap it is imperative to bring about a change in the way mathematics is taught “ - Dr. Shyama Chona
The purpose of RFIME is to reach out to students and teachers of schools across the country with a new paradigm of mathematics education, one driven by innovation, research, multi-dimensional methodology and the use of technology. Keeping this vision in view, a professional development programme, ‘Enabli
The resource people were from eminent mathematics backgrounds and represented highly esteemed institutes of the country. Highlights of their talks are as follows:
Prof. R. Ramanujam, Institute of Mathematical Sciences, Chennai
Topic: Mapping the school mathematics curriculum
“A mathematics curriculum has both a logical structure and a pedagogical structure. Analysis of the first is a mathematical task. Analysis of the second is a task of mathematics education. Performing these tasks separately is like choosing plants for a garden without knowing how they grow., then watering them without knowing anything about what flowers and fruits one may expect. We need an analysis of the curriculum that is simultaneously mathematical and pedagogical; this is not only essential but possible as well.”
Dr. Shailesh Shirali, Director, Community Maths Centre, Rishi
Topic: Experimentation and discovery in mathematics: The role of Technology
“ One of the peculiarities of mathematics teaching handed down over the generations, is that we teach it in a strictly logical way, ignoring the fact that mathematics was not discovered in quite that way. That is , we tend to teach the subject according to its logical structure. The effect of this is to convey the impression that the subject has no past and that it has existed forever in a perfect, pristine state. This is obviously not true. The actual fact is that all through history, experimentation has been an integral part of the subject, and that it is through such experimentation that we make connections, spot patterns, form conjectures, test them and revise them, and finally prove them(or in some cases prove them to be false)
But if this is the case then why is such a perspective not made a regular part of mathematics pedagogy?”
Mathematics, IIT, Mumbai.Prof. Inder K Rana
Topic: Mathematics from the Real World- Why and How?
“ Too often maths is taught on the abstract level of arbitrary numbers with examples that have no connection to the real world. It is a challenge to teach mathematics to the ‘mobile generation’. So we should make an effort to bring real life situations to mathematics in the classroom with the help of technology. The tools should be such that stimulate mathematical discussions in a small group settings and generates interest in problem solving.”
Dr. Jonaki B Ghosh, RFIME
Topic: a. Visualising and exploring mathematics using Casio teaching tools
b. Learning Mathematics in Secondary School: Some Pedagogical Affordances of Handheld Technology
Prof. Geetha Venkatraman, Dean, School of Undergraduate Studies,Ambedkar University
Topic: A powerpoint presentation on biography of Srinivasa Ramanujan
Dr. Gaurav Bhatnagar, Sr. Vice President, DIPS, Educomp Solutions Limited
Topic : Some lessons from Ramanujan’s Approach to Mathematics
“5 Lessons to learn from Ramanujam:
Dr. Haneet Gandhi, RFIME
Topic: Assessment for the learning of mathematics
Ms. Rashmi Kathuria, Dept. of Mathematics, Kulachi Hansraj
Topic: Expanded classroom @ Technology
Ms. Sangeeta Gulati, Head, Dept. of Mathematics, Sanskriti School, New Delhi.
Topic: a. Exploring
b. Online Resources for Mathematics Classroom
Ms.Himani Asija, Dept. of Mathematics, Delhi Public School, Vasant Kunj,
Topic: Enriching School Mathematics through Project based Learning
After listening to the speakers, we gained a huge advantage on how we can adapt to new technology based teaching-learning scenarios spite of our hectic schedules. We want to thank our School management for the platform and opportunitywhich we shall long cherish.
As filed by Ms. Sandhya Batheja and ms. Alka Kanwar, senior Maths teachers.