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Giving Maths Some Magic

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Gone are the days when a text book, a chalk board and the droning voice of a teacher were the only requirements for a school maths lesson.
Maths has become high-tech worldwide – with dynamic software developed to make geometry, algebra, calculus and statistics come alive at all education levels, generating excitement for a subject which, in this country, has lost popularity.

Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University’s Govan Mbeki Mathematics Development Unit (GMMDU) is ensuring the technology trend catches on in Eastern Cape classrooms by launching its own virtual GeoGebra Institute – GeoGebra being among the best-known free and easy-to-use educational software for maths globally, having won several awards in Europe and the United States.

GMMDU’s GeoGebra Institute – the second in the country and one of 40 worldwide – is linked to the International GeoGebra Institute at England’s prestigious Cambridge University, and will be hosting the country’s first GeoGebra Conference for maths teachers early next year.

“We want to empower educators to use modern technology to teach maths,” said GMMDU head Prof Werner Olivier, who also holds a First Rand Foundation Research and Development Chair in Maths Education. “GeoGebra is designed to facilitate and strengthen the teaching and learning of maths at all levels. It is dynamic visual maths for all.”

GMMDU has in fact developed its own unique, technology-based teaching and learning model for teachers and pupils, which uses cutting-edge electronic media, including GeoGebra, to teach the Grade 11 and 12 National Curriculum Statement (NCS) maths syllabus.
One of the ways the unit is sharing this resource is via a DVD series – which allows both pupils and teachers facilitating the material flexible access to quality tutoring.

Olivier said one of the reasons for establishing the GeoGebra Institute was to “generate excitement for maths, which has a bad image”. The institute will conduct teacher training in GeoGebra and also assist with teaching in classrooms.

“As an institute, we will explore further applications of the GeoGebra programme to collectively add to the huge GeoGebra resource base that is freely available to teachers and pupils, and we will also research the impact of GeoGebra applications in our classrooms.

“Our aim is also to share our successes, in terms of linking GeoGebra with teaching and learning, with stakeholders in South Africa and elsewhere in Africa.”

Olivier is also collaborating with the university’s Computing Sciences department in an effort to link GeoGebra applications with mobile computing devices, such as cell phones.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.