In our day-to-day life, math is all around us. But many students in our schools even today show displeasure towards the learning of mathematics. Students view mathematics as a dull, boring and stereotyped subject.
Math is not a looker subject like art, a listener subject like music, or a looker & listener subject like dance — it is a looker, listener & doer subject like craft.
Most students think that mathematics means to "get something right" or to "get something wrong". When they get it wrong, they think they are not good enough for math and lose interest in learning. On the other hand, a few students learn enough tricks to "get something right" to pass the exam. There are not enough instances when a teacher has tried to teach math in a different way, say through activities and games. These activities and games make the process of learning more interesting and effective. The setting up of a Math Lab aids this effort.
What is a Math Lab?
A Math Lab is a place, process & attitude for learning mathematics which is based on learning by doing rather than reading, learning by observation, and proceeding from concrete to abstract. We find a collection of games, puzzles, teaching aids and other materials for carrying out activities in a Math Lab. These are meant to be used both by students on their own and together with their teacher to explore the world of mathematics — to discover, to learn and to develop an interest in math.
Five learning stations
We can set up about five math learning stations all around the Math Lab. Each station should be different from the others, and students rotate from station to station until they have completed them all.
Working in a small setting allows students to be relaxed and actually enjoy math. To make math interesting, utilize technology, create hands-on learning centers, and involve students in every aspect of lessons.
Good for teachers, too
Motivating students to master math skills and problem solving is a challenge for all teachers. A Math Lab helps teachers revolutionize their teaching and upgrade their explanation skills, making them more productive than before. It also encourages group learning and co-operative learning among children.
Equipping a Math Lab
For effective functioning, a Math Lab should be well equipped with:
Concrete materials & models
Blocks, shapes, solids and manipulatives students can touch and move.
Pictures, charts & boards
Bulletin board, white board, posters and charts.
Instruments
Drawing, weighing, measuring and surveying instruments.
Technology
Computing devices, computers and multimedia.
Objectives of the Math Lab
- Provides an opportunity for students to discover through doing.
- Encourages students to become autonomous learners and to learn at their own speed.
- Builds up interest and confidence in students in learning and doing math.