We bring you a thought-provoking panel of educators, mathematicians, and experts from various domains to discuss and explore innovative techniques for teaching and transforming mathematics learning.
The Mathematics Summit, an initiative by S Chand Publishing, is back with its second edition, promising another impactful event focused on mathematics education. This two-day virtual summit will be held on August 25-26, 2023, featuring a number of sessions on teaching mathematics. It will bring educators, mathematicians, and experts from various domains to discuss and explore innovative techniques for teaching and learning mathematics.
The summit is aligned with the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) 2023 and will allow educators to learn about the latest trends in mathematics education.
For educators working with students in the preparatory stage (3 to 5) or the middle stage (6 to 8), the Mathematics Summit will provide a unique platform to enhance their pedagogical skills and deepen their understanding of teaching mathematics. Through engaging presentations, workshops, and interactive discussions, educators will gain valuable insights, practical methods, and innovative resources to create a stimulating and effective learning environment for their students.
These sessions will cover a wide range of topics, including:
- Key Challenges with Respect to Math Learning, Nature of Mathematics, and How it should be taught?
- Suggested Pedagogies for Teaching Math as per NCF 2023
- Assessments - Formative and Summative Assessments at Different Stages
- Materials and Resources for Teaching Mathematics
The summit is open to all educators, regardless of their experience level. Whether a new teacher or an expert educator, you will find something valuable at S Chand's Mathematics Summit 2023.
Key Highlights:
- Aligned with the National Curriculum Framework 2023
- Features a diverse range of speakers in the field of mathematics education
- Explores a wide array of teaching-related topics in mathematics
- Welcomes educators of all experience levels
- Discover the latest advancements in mathematics education and gain motivation to enhance your teaching methods.
- Engage in networking opportunities with fellow educators.
About the Topics
Topic 1: Key Challenges with Respect to Math Learning, Nature of Mathematics, and How it should be taught?
The National Curriculum Framework for School Education 2023 (NCF 2023) identifies many challenges for mathematics learning. These challenges include:
- The perception of mathematics as a complex subject: Many students perceive it negatively as challenging and dull, leading to students avoiding mathematics and being reluctant to engage with it.
- The lack of relevance of mathematics to students' lives: Many students do not see the relevance of mathematics to their everyday lives. This can make it difficult for them to know the purpose of learning mathematics and to be motivated to learn it.
- The traditional methods of teaching mathematics: Traditional methods can be instructional and teacher-centred, making it difficult for students to engage with mathematics meaningfully.
- The need for qualified mathematics teachers: There is a need for qualified mathematics teachers, which can make it difficult to provide students with high-quality mathematics education.
The NCF 2023 proposes several strategies to address these challenges. These strategies include:
- Reframing the perception of mathematics: Mathematics should be reframed as a creative and problem-solving subject relevant to students' lives. It can be done by using real-world problems to teach mathematics and showing students how mathematics can be used to solve problems in their everyday lives.
- Using active learning methods: Active learning methods should be used to engage students in mathematics. This means providing students with opportunities to explore mathematical concepts and procedures, solve problems, and collaborate.
- Using technology to enhance mathematics instruction: Technology can strengthen mathematics education by providing students with interactive learning experiences and helping them solve problems.
- Professional development for mathematics teachers: Professional development should be provided for mathematics teachers to help them improve their teaching skills, including training in active learning methods, the use of technology, and the nature of mathematics.
Topic 2: Suggested Pedagogies for teaching Math as per NCF 2023
- Play-way (activity-based) method: This method uses games, puzzles, and other activities to help students learn mathematics in a fun and engaging way. It is especially effective for young children, who learn best by doing.
- Discovery/inquiry-based method: This method encourages students to explore mathematical concepts and procedures on their own. Students are given problems to solve and expected to use their creativity and problem-solving skills to find solutions.
- Problem-solving: This method focuses on helping students develop their problem-solving skills. Students are given problems to solve and taught the strategies they need to use to find the solutions.
- Inductive method: This involves starting with specific examples and then generalising to a broader set of rules or principles. This method is often used to teach mathematical concepts, such as number patterns or geometric shapes.
- Deductive method: This method involves starting with general rules or principles and then applying them to specific examples. It is used to teach mathematical procedures, such as solving equations or performing long division.
Topic 3: Assessments - Formative and Summative Assessments at Different Stages
The National Curriculum Framework for School Education 2023 (NCF 2023) emphasises the need for a comprehensive and continuous assessment system in mathematics education. This means that assessment should be used to gather data on student learning throughout the learning process, not just at the end of a unit or course.
The NCF 2023 identifies two main types of assessment: formative assessment and summative assessment.
- Formative assessment: This type of assessment provides feedback to students on their learning to improve their understanding of mathematical concepts and procedures. Formative assessment can be done informally, such as through teacher observation or questioning, or it can be done more formally, such as through quizzes or tests.
- Summative assessment: This type of assessment measures student achievement at the end of a unit or course. Summative assessment is typically done through tests or projects.
The NCF 2023 recommends using formative assessment more frequently than summative assessment. It is because formative assessment can help students learn more effectively by providing feedback on their progress. Summative assessment, on the other hand, is more helpful in making decisions about student promotion or graduation.
Topic 4: Materials and Resources for Teaching Mathematics
The National Curriculum Framework for School Education 2023 (NCF 2023) emphasises the need for various materials and resources to support mathematics education. These materials and resources can be used to:
- engage students in active learning.
- provide opportunities for students to practice and apply their mathematical skills.
- assess student learning.
- support teachers in their instruction