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Mathematics and Life 4 Mathematics as just a computational tool

 The importance of definition 

I would like to discuss how the policy makers', parent body, school administrators, investors', teachers' perception of what is it to be good at maths ? affects the students and ultimately the workforce, industry, economy in general.


1. Mathematics as a computational tool  This is the current, popular perception of knowing maths. Our classroom teachings, examination system, wide spread tutoring, coaching business all tend to develop, appreciate, the skill of reaching one unique answer as fast as possible.

The Abacus or its various versions, as a training tool are classic examples of this. Students are expected to be too good at a skill in past 61 years of life I have not needed. I ask the readers, how often, if at all, you needed to find 5813 x 3876 infraction of a minute and that too accurately ? I bet never. But, just as a ritual, under peer pressure children go year after year to learn something which is first of all not needed at all and more dangerous is the deep inferiorityuuu complex kids develop for their inability to do something which is not needed. Another, obvious fall out is comparison among siblings, friends resulting into further stress for the kid.

The National Education Policy also has emphasized on developing mathematical thinking. Higher order skills like problem solving, critical thinking, computational thinking, visualisation, are not even touched once treat mathematics as a just a computational tool. 

It is more than a coincidence that we lack skilled workers. Be it developing mathematical model, data mining, studying bioassay, developing share market software, everywhere we need non routine, out of box, thinking which is butchered in the process of treating mathematics as just a computational tool and we force, train, students to reach one unique answer at the earliest killing prospects of developing thinking. Forget out of the box thinking.

Beyond Abacus aims just to do the needful.......

Comments

  1. MATHEMATICIA By O.P. GUPTAJanuary 19, 2021 at 9:19 AM

    Awesome 👌
    Appropriate observation. Mathematics needs to be looked at beyond just computational tool. Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownJanuary 19, 2021 at 12:28 PM

    Absolutely sir..now we have a student centered system. But they are not even free to think.the curriculam setting also like this. That's why most of the students showing lack of interest towards mathematics. Let them think freely.. Let Beyond Abacus provide Such a Wonderful track to our upcoming generation..🙏😊

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dr Prakash MogheJanuary 19, 2021 at 12:41 PM

      Amazing observations and optimism Laly, we will strive to do that together

      Delete
  3. SKTJanuary 19, 2021 at 5:11 PM

    True...I, too, never appreciated endeavours trying to make children do rapid calculations in the name of learning mathematics. (We have computing machines for this purpose!)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Snehal PrabhuneJanuary 28, 2021 at 11:01 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Snehal PrabhuneJanuary 28, 2021 at 11:02 AM

    It applies to other fields also like management, where students are so much loaded with information, knowledge, which might not be useful in their corporate life

    ReplyDelete

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