Working in the EU-funded ReMath project (http://remath.cti.gr/), the team developed new teaching aids, in the form of software tools known as Dynamic Digital Artefacts (DDAs), and a comprehensive set of Pedagogical Plans for teachers to use within the guidelines of national education curricula. The results of their efforts have been put to the test in schools across Europe and are being commercialised by three spin-off companies.
"The state-of-the-art tools and Pedagogical Plans cover a wide variety of mathematical fields," Kynigos, who coordinated the ReMath project, says. "Some use traditional mathematical representations while others are more like interactive games that show the role maths plays in the real world."
For example, MoPix, one of the DDAs developed by the team, uses animation and games to explain Newtonian formulas. Another program called MaLT provides students with a set of programmable mathematical controllers with which to manipulate objects in a virtual environment.
"The tools are designed to make students think and help them learn how maths works in the real world in a way that is fun and engaging. The tools are not there to help them regurgitate a mathematical formula for a test," the ReMath coordinator notes.
The introduction of this interactive style of teaching can have a dramatic effect in classrooms, something the ReMath researchers witnessed for themselves during trials conducted in high schools in the United Kingdom, France, Italy and Greece.
Teachers need to use teaching aids to teach math effectively. The most effective teaching aids are manipulatives such as cubes, counters, pattern blocks, geoboards, place values blocks and plastic money. Students enjoy using manipulatives and, with proper instruction, can use the manipulatives to understand and master math concepts.Teaching aids that can be applied to Year Two students to help them understand better.
No comments:
Post a Comment