Put fun back into mathematics

14 May 2010

In partnership with the Eastern Cape Department of Education and Grahamstown branch Association for Mathematics Education in South Africa (AMESA), the Rhodes University hosted an afternoon of mathematics activities themed around the 2010 FIFA World Cup for learners from schools around the Makana municipality recently.

Rhodes University Mathematics Education Project (RUMEP) organiser Zonia Jooste said the project was aimed at changing the learners' general perception that mathematics "is a dull and non-stimulating subject".

"This negative view of mathematics is very often taken (from primary) right up to the secondary level of schooling as many learners have fear for the subject", she said.

Themed around the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup, Jooste said the project's intention was about showcasing to both learners and educators the invariable link of mathematics with all people's everyday living and activities irrespective of social differences.

Jooste said she hope that teachers would do away with the usual rigidity when teaching mathematics in the classroom by adopting practical and innovative ways of the subject.

"The purpose is to show them (learners and educators) that mathematics is a human activity practised by all cultures and that it is in everything that we do," she said.

During the afternoon, the learners became involved in activities which Jooste described as an effort to encourage them to enjoy mathematics again.

"For instance, by looking at measurements, learners will be able to work out the area and perimeter of soccer field and see the relevance of maths in our daily lives," she said.

Adding other benefits of the exercise, Jooste said by using maths in an environment familiar to the learners, which in this instance is soccer; it enables them to link the geometry side of mathematics to the major event.

As learners were invited to look at the flags of the world and to identify the symmetry of these flags and their colour combinations, RUMEP representative Fezeka Mkhwane said: "the idea was for learners to discover and realise that mathematics is everywhere around us".

Another activity that was carried out required learners to work with big numbers to calculate the construction costs and the carrying capacity of the five newly built 2010 soccer stadiums thus creating awareness over the different sizes of the soccer fields.

Tantyi Primary School Educator Xoliswa Mzizi described the afternoon as an "eye opening experience to me as a teacher".

"I think it's time we let go of being rigid when teaching mathematics by bringing more fun so that children can be free from the fear of the subject," she said.

Nompumelelo Quntu also a primary school educator deemed the afternoon as an "innovative approach" at mathematics.

"For me, it means that I can take them outside the classroom to bring more fun and practicality to the studying of mathematics," she said.

Issued by: Department of Education, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
14 May 2010
Source: Department of Education, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
(http://www.ecdoe.gov.za/)