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Mathematics and Life 14 Some limitations of the Abacus system

 Some limitations of the Abacus system


Although a commercially hit business model, the Abacus system has some serious limitations especially in terms of the outcome. That is, promoting limited perspective of mathematics just a computational.


In everyday class, in their marketing materials, in their counseling process, in their awards and rewards, in every key function, the ability to calculate fast and accurately is construed to be the sole criteria of appreciation of mathematical ability. 


Monotony  After a stage, the computational processes become quite monotonous and boring for the students who leave.


Individual differences not catered to. The system is specific end driven and in the heat of the highly competitive environment, the individual struggling to manage gets roughed out or is left to struggle.


No connection with life Other than the temporary pleasure of showing off skills publicly and some use in saving time on calculation related one unique answer questions, the training is not related to life.


No connection with school curriculum Under the National Education Policy, the school curriculum of maths is changing rapidly, connecting it with day to day life, integrating art - math, which is not possible in the Abacus system which does not talk about school syllabus.


Not in line with the modern trend in education All good examinations are fast moving away from computations and replacing it with estimation, approximation. Multiple right answers are also the norm in most prestigious selections.


Please feel free to ask / suggest new topics you would like to read about.


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Comments

  1. Shruti GoelJanuary 29, 2021 at 9:18 AM

    Very well written about Abacus. Parents enroll their kids in Abacus so that they can show off to others that their kids has become so fast in calculations.

    ReplyDelete

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