Interviews

QUESTIONNAIRES

Teachers:
1. What are the teaching methodologies that differentiate your board (CBSE etc.) from the others?
2. How do your children enjoy the Math class?
3. How do they fare on Math tests (on an average)?
4. How much of workshop/practical learning sessions are incorporated within the curriculum? How do the students enjoy those sessions?
5. Do you think mathematics is better taught the traditional way, or do you encourage a more ‘learning through doing’ approach?
6. What are your views on ‘integrated curriculum’ and integrative learning?
7. Does your school spend money on new technologies for learning?
8. What are your views on technology, and how do you think it can be used to enhance learning? What in your opinion are the pros and cons of using technology and new media in education?

Students:
1. Do you like Math? If not, what do you not like?
2. How well do you score on Math tests?
3. Can you see Math in the world around you? Where?
4. Do you see purpose in the math skills you learn in school?
5. Do you play educational games? If so, which ones?
6. Would you be comfortable learning by yourself, through a game, or a book? Or would you need a teacher to instruct you?
7. Are you familiar with using the computer? Do you prefer playing games on the computer as opposed to reading a book?
8. If you were in charge of your class, how would you like to teach your 'students' math? What do you think is the best way for them to learn? Imagine your 'Dream Math Class'!

SCHOOLS

Delhi Public School (Bangalore North): (C.B.S.E) Std. 5 & Std. 6

• Most children from this school were quite fond of the subject, though some of them found it hard to grasp. In terms of application, apart from ‘money’ and ‘school’, they weren’t able to relate mathematics to the world around them. 
• The school organizes math labs once a week, where students work on group projects, class activities and games. 
• Many students said they would be comfortable learning on their own, but would like some guidance from their teacher as well. 
• They played educational games like “Math quiz”, “Scrabble”, “Think Fun”, and memory games.
• Also, the school has an Educomp SmartClass (http://www.smartclassonline.com/SmartClassOnLine/SmartClass.aspx) in each class, and the students love learning from it.

(Smartclass is a digital initiative of Educomp, which is rapidly transforming the way teachers teach and students learn in schools with innovative and meaningful use of technology. Powered by the world’s largest repository of digital content mapped to Indian School Curriculum, smartclass brings in technology right next to the blackboard for teachers in the classrooms. Students learn difficult and abstract curriculum concepts watching highly engaging visuals and animations. This makes learning an enjoyable experience for students while improving their overall academic performance in school. Smartclass has a unique delivery model for schools. A knowledge center is created inside the school equipped with the entire library of smartclass digital content. The knowledge center is connected to the classrooms through Intranet. Teachers get the relevant digital resources such as animations and videos, interactive virtual labs tools etc. and use them as a part of their lesson plans in every classroom period.) 

Mallya Aditi International School: (I.C.S.E) Std. 4

• Most children seemed to enjoy their math classes. They play class games like “Around the world”, “Multiplication facts”.
• They were quite aware of the applications of math in the real world- They came up with answers like “Money”, “Time”, “Computers”, “Business” and “Stock Market”!
• They liked playing games on the computer more than reading books, and solved online puzzles and educational quizzes. They also solved Sudoku and crosswords.
• They wanted to play games like monopoly in class, and learn geometry by building 3D models, cutting shapes etc. “I want to learn Math only through quizzes. No tests and textbooks!”

Poorna Prajna Education Centre: (Karnataka State Board) Std. 4, Std. 5 & Std. 6

• Most students preferred reading books to playing games on the computer.
• The students preferred to have a teacher to guide them, rather than learning on their own through games and/or books. They also said that their ideal math class should be “stress free”, and the focus should be on fun and play, not on homework and tests.
• They play educational games like “Word Building” and crosswords. Some children said they see math in the world around them in “Money”, “Measurement” and “Counting”- “From the number of pens in my pencil box, to the population of my country”. Rest of them said they see math only on the blackboard and in school.
• Math teachers regularly attend workshops such as “Creative teaching”, “Classroom management”, “Evaluation techniques” held at the Poorna Prajna Institute of Faculty Improvement. The school is on its way to set up a Math Lab. 
• Math teachers think that a “learning through doing” approach is appreciated by students, but some topics need to be taught the traditional way. They also think “integrative learning” depends highly on the motivation of the child and his/her aptitude to grasp concepts and draw connections. 
• The teachers also think that technology should come with limitations- “Teachers and students are more important than technology. Especially when it comes to exams, I am sorry to say but drilling is a must, both at home and school.”