Prof. Raj Shree Dhar
As are the crests on the heads of the peacocks, As are the gems on the hoods of the Cobras, So is Mathematics at the top of all Sciences – Yajurveda
Numeracy encompasses the knowledge, skills, behaviours and dispositions that students need to use mathematics in a wide range of situations. It involves students recognizing and understanding the role of mathematics in the world and having the dispositions and capacities to use mathematical knowledge and skills purposefully.
Developing numeracy skills from an early age gives children a foundation for their learning and development. It prepares them for daily life, including general problem solving and handling monies. Mathematics includes noticing numbers, shapes, patterns, size, time and measurement. Every child is a marvel of creation, and within each child is a powerful force, an awe-inspiring phenomenon provided by nature, therefore, a spirit of confidence can be transmitted to the child from a very young age to awaken the genius within.
NEP implementation includes achieving foundational literacy and numeracy by all students by 2025. To translate this particular vision of NEP, under the Atmanirbhar Bharat programme, a National Initiative for Proficiency in reading with Understanding and Numeracy (NIPUN) will be launched.
Numerals are symbols that represent numbers and a number is an idea that describes collection of any number of objects. There is a need to develop mental mathematics in children from a very tender age. There are some techniques that when embraced help in simplifying even the most complex of calculations. This has been made possible by the fact that mathematical systems are used in making mental calculations easy. East Asia is credited for developing most of these methods. Since most mental calculations often happen subconsciously, it is important to develop the art of constantly engaging in mental mathematics since it has proven health benefits to both the young and the old.
Mental mathematics is quite an interesting field and although many people tend to find it a bit difficult to master, there are set methods that can help you achieve this faster than you imagine. Vedic mathematics is one of them and is rated among the best methods available. It is one of the most recommended methods for the students who are preparing for any mathematical contests for that matter. Compared to other conventional methods of learning mathematics, Vedic mathematics tends to be more systematic, unified and simplified at the same time. It is a powerful tool for mental mathematics that encourages the students to develop their skills in Mathematics and at the same time gives them an opportunity to engage in some fun and frolic, giving them satisfaction and flexibility in the learning methods. The magic of numbers, their range and richness lead to a world of intellectual adventure that can carry out addition, subtraction, exponential etc and the digits make up sentences, problems, equations and contain secret steps which vary with different digits.
The children should be trained in mathematical riddles, Brain teasers, Magical squares, Sudoku, Cards and Chess for logical thinking and improving concentration. Students should apply skills in estimating and calculating with whole numbers to solve and model everyday problems in a wide range of authentic contexts using efficient mental, written and digital strategies. They should be able to identify situations where money is used and apply their knowledge of the value of money to purchasing, budgeting and justifying the use of money. This element involves students developing an understanding of the meaning of fractions and decimals, their representations as percentages, ratios and rates, and how they can be applied in real-life situations.
Mathematics teaching can be made more interesting through audio visual aids which can make abstract mathematical concepts concrete and meaningful. It is desirable to use experiments in Mathematical Laboratory to verify mathematical truths and discover mathematical laws and principles. Laboratory method is a procedure for stimulating the activities of the students and to encourage them to make discoveries. The success of the laboratory method depends on a skilled mathematics teacher/parent as well as well-equipped mathematics laboratory like Abacus, Geoboard & Rubber bands, Tangram, Plastic strips or rulers, half and full protractors and fly screw, Net diagrams for solid shapes, cut-outs of various geometrical shapes, Connectable Plastic cubes of unit length, Isometric dot paper, grid paper, origami paper, squared paper, card board, glue stick, scissors etc. However, for higher classes knowledge of software like mathematica, latex etc. can prove to be immensely useful.
Mathematical clubs are also platforms where interested learning can take place through fun filled activities. Such clubs provide a lot of freedom of expression for the students and it supplements classroom learning. Some of the activities in mathematics clubs can be – organizing mathematics fairs, lectures by eminent scholars, celebrating mathematics days, contests and quiz competitions, watching UGC programmes in mathematics, group projects, writing related to mathematics and so on.
The teacher can teach the history of mathematical concepts and ideas for stimulating interest among the students. A resourceful teacher can think of many more such devices suitable for students to teach and these devices should be used according to the intellectual maturity of the students. Above all, the teacher himself should be highly motivated to teach mathematics with a high level of interest in the subject.
Precision and accuracy are the important features of mathematics as a discipline. Students should be trained to carry out the mathematical tasks with speed and accuracy. Oral questions can also be asked for clarification of ideas and problems. Inaccuracy is the greatest obstacle in developing speed. Both speed and accuracy should go together. Speed can also be increased by making the statements in precise form using mathematical language & symbols and also use shortcut methods wherever possible.
A mathematics teacher should take responsibility for effective use of mathematics library so as to get the students acquainted with the latest developments in mathematics. A good library provides opportunities for clarifying their doubts. The different types of problems and approaches available in different books help the students in developing their problem-solving ability and adopting different approaches, thus making them more independent. It also provides facilities for the gifted students to satisfy their curiosity and thirst for knowledge. The teachers should help students to appreciate the structure and pattern which underlie mechanical and computational skills.
A teacher of mathematics can make learning very interesting and exciting thus changing the attitude and outlook of the students. A good teacher should know not merely what to teach, but how to teach, and with deliberate efforts and planning can make it possible for the students to attain fruitful values. The mind of the child should be prepared to receive new knowledge. The new knowledge becomes more meaningful when it is compared and associated with already existing knowledge and then applied to new day-to-day situations.
For higher classes, the teacher should emphasize on conceptual learning rather than problem solving and concepts be cleared through examples, demonstrations and discussions. A problem should be recognized, followed by a search for its solution with newer approaches. The teachers may place a much greater emphasis on thinking about the problem than on quickly coming up with a solution. Students may be directed to work in small groups on one or two problems. At the elementary level, students may use mathematics kits that contain visual aids. How to invent solutions gives more self-confidence and enthusiasm than learning the correct solution.
A mathematics teacher has several resources for getting equipped with and a number of audiovisual aids to help in effective presentation best suited for the students as per their skills, needs, abilities etc. Computers have become important aids for instructions. Every teacher has to be well versed with the use of computer especially for teaching purposes. The teacher can also make use of educational films prepared by experts which should contain accurate material, style of presentation etc.
Mathematics helps in appreciating the beauty in art and architecture. The artists, in turn, weave their knowledge of form, symmetry and proportion into their creations to make it beautiful. The persons who understand and are proficient in mathematics have significantly enhanced opportunities and also multiple options that open their doors to productivity.
Srinivasa Ramanujan (22 Dec., 1887- 26 April, 1920) was an Indian mathematician who made extraordinary contributions to mathematical analysis, number theory, infinite series, and continued fractions. He saw the relationship between GOD, ZERO & INFINITY as he was trying to comprehend the infinite reality around him and pointed out that existence of a human life is nothing but a zero. On the 125th anniversary of his birth, India declared the birthday of Ramanujan, December 22, as ‘National Mathematics Day’.
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