If mathematics were a living entity, children would have asked it to solve their problems. The fear to deal with numbers is slowly but gradually going to vanish.
With more and more students opting for video games involving software that teaches them mathematics, according to their IQ level, helpsthem to understand better and learn quickly, students in India and abroad are all set to shed their fear of maths.
Working to qualitatively improve India's educational system is the aim of Educational Initiatives (EI), the brainchild of IIMA alumni. EI has created software, Mindspark, to help students deal with the subject.
Explaining their software, its operations, impact on children and teachers across India, Sridhar Rajgopalan, managing-director, EI, said, "In the last 10 years, we have carried out intense assessment of schools and educational boards across India and the outcome was Mindspark. This software is built on the lines of a video game wherein students learn and understand mathematics in a holistic manner."
Sudhir Ghodke, director EI, said, "Through Mindspark, besides children, teachers too get to learn the subject in a more detailed manner. They also get to gauge student's IQ level and their understanding of the subject. Earlier, they would come to know about a student's understanding level of the subject only after examinations. However, now they get a daily report, thanks to Mindspark."
Speaking about the global leap, Ghodke said, "Currently, a pilot project is being held at Michigan, USA,with 57 students of the 21st Century Community Learning Centre using this adaptive self-learning software or programme under the after school programme of the centre. While teachers are trained to understand this software through Skype from India, the software helps students deal with the subject. Teachers are then able to tackle a student's problem." EI has also bagged the licence under the 'Supplemental Education Services' (SES), USA, which helps children from lower socio-economic backgrounds by supplementing their learning.
The programme will be launched in Texas during the summer vacation (June to August). EI will help students learn mathematics through a 'blended learning concept' which covers personalised learning via Mindspark and on-demand support via certified teachers in an online environment. SES is a federal grant programme.
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