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| Sunday, 19 February 2006 |
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Doing math the fun way Mathematical problems of school days by Lakmal Welabada I still can remember struggling hard to get a Simple Pass for O/L Mathematics. I even collapsed during the Maths paper at the school term test in the same year I sat for the O/Ls exam. I still wonder how I got through Maths with a Distinction at the O/Levels, as Maths has been the most detested subject I have ever come across.
Most of us might have had similar experiences, because many of us find Mathematics the most harassing subject throughout our schooling. 'Maths should not be a subject to be detested', says today's Mathematicians who are looking for ways and means to make it easier and more interesting for children. Hence, schools in many countries have introduced many methods and techniques for this purpose. The 'Maths Camp' is one such introduction to schoolchildren to train their brains work happily towards 'equations'. Sirimavo Bandaranaike Vidyalaya, Colombo has taken challenge and held the first ever 'Maths camp' for O/L students, at the school premises on January 28 and 29. "It was a proposal of Dr. Prasad Wimalaratne, Senior Lecturer/Director of the Career Guidance Unit of the University of Colombo which was accepted by our Principal, Pushpa Kalubowila," says Assistant Principal Anoma Wijenaike of Sirimavo B.V. "And it became a reality with the devotion of the team of Maths teachers and the other teachers of Sirimavo, A/L maths society students and parents," says Rasika Wijesinghe, teacher-in-charge of Mathematics at Sirimavo B. V.. The main objective of this camp is to increase interest and confidence in Mathematics and enhance mathematical skills. It aims to teach the importance of Maths in their life and to encourage the students to work hard in Maths and get good results at the O/L exam. That particular Saturday and Sunday were not holidays for the teachers and girls. They packed themselves for the camp. By 7.30 a.m. on Saturday, the students were registered and the launching ceremony was held. Instead children were divided into small groups. The shade of trees and the smooth breeze seemed to have helped them to relax the pressure and fear of the so called O/L exam from their brains - at least for the time being. There weren't 'papers' to answer as it has been done traditionally. Instead equations, theories, puzzles and geometrical and graphical quizzes that appear in the O/L school syllabus were forwarded indirectly as completions and fun activities. Each group had to work on these math-oriented games. In addition to that a maths quiz was put on a board commonly from time to time for students to solve. These tough and challenging Maths problems helped the students to think-out-of-the-box by using various heuristic methods and problem-solving skills. These also helped them develop 'speed' in solving a Maths problem which would indirectly be a big push to the O/L exam. The groups and individuals who excelled in solving each maths quiz were rewarded with small gifts. "They didn't feel they were learning 'Maths'. They were playing games," says Mrs.Rasika Wijesinghe in smile. Motivational speeches, recreation and entertainment had an equivalent place throughout the two days' session. Singing and other talents of the students were encouraged during the leisure periods, which followed by educational film shows and lively music to enhance the spirit of the students. Dr. Chanakya Wijeratne, Head of the Department of Mathematics of the University of Colombo; Dharmasiri Hengoda, Mathematical genius; Lal Ratnayake, retired Director of the National Institute of Education, W.C.C.Abeywickrema, teachers' instructor of Western Province and premier maths instructors Udesh Jagoda of Thurstan College and Nihal Premaratne of Royal College along with university Mathematics undergraduates lead the 'Sirimavo' maths camp to a success. The ministry of Education and the National Institute of Education also assisted the camp by giving their approval. Parents had helped to make camp a real fun and pressure-free place by finding sponsors to provide all the resources needed. "We were playing games. But at the end of the session we felt that we had learnt a lot," was the response the writer got from many of the students who attended the camp, and expressed confidence towards the forthcoming O/L exam. "Our next Maths camp would be for the Year 6 students as we strongly feel that the foundation for Maths should be laid at that level. Maths for the secondary education start from Year 6," further says Teacher-in-charge of Maths at Sirimavo. It was not merely a 'Maths teaching' session, but a two-days training
programme that included socialising and leadership development. |
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