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Mathematics and Life 13 About Abacus

 About Abacus 


Abacus is an instrument which is used to calculate. In the Roman history there have been different types of Abacus instruments, but the most popular and the one which is used till date is the bid based, linear model.


Abacus as an acronym stands for  Abundant Beads  Addition  Calculation Utility System.


As a business model A hugely successful business model popular by different names in different regions, like UC Mass Abacus, Master Abacus and so many variants, the Abacus is a training / coaching system to dramatically increase the computational speed of the participants.


The stage I is introduction to the instrument, familiarity with the instrument, understanding core processes and at the advanced stage, it claimed to be improving both the right and the left brains. Some also claim to have improved visualisation, imagination, qualities which help them better in academics at a much later stage too.


Although claims are many, the ground reality is, few continue the system beyond years 3 or 4 after being in the system. Monotonous repetition of tasks, long, purposeless, tiring calculations could be one of the possible reasons.


Local, regional, national and international level competitions are held every year at a grand scale.


The flip side Entire system is based on the spirit of competition. At every stage, the best is promoted, looked after, leaving the not so good at computation way behind. Also, repeated public appreciation of the good few, creates complexes among the majority who find it hard to adapt the tricks. Another major lacuna of the system are less frequent interventions (twice a week) and the entire activity being not at all related to even school curriculum, forget relating it to life.


Feel free to suggest topics you would like to know about on mathematics, education, teacher training.


Currently we are available on drpnmoghe@gmail.com


Comments

  1. Shruti GoelJanuary 29, 2021 at 9:20 AM

    I completely agree with your thoughts expressed here. Abacus has lot to its flip side.

    ReplyDelete

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