ICT to teach maths via smartphone

MUMBAI: In a first, abstract maths and engineering lessons will be delivered through smartphone apps for engineering students at the Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT), Matunga.

With almost every student possessing a smartphone, the institute has decided to develop apps for tougher courses to make learning interesting. According to professors, first year students fare poorly or fail in math because their basic concepts in math and engineering are unclear, something that is important when preparing for a professional world.

“With the invasion of smartphones, students have become very tech savvy and their attention span is only 10 minutes or even less. Students don’t appreciate abstract concepts such as differential equations and integration unless they are applied to some phenomenon that they are studying,” said vice chancellor GD Yadav. “Abstract concepts need to be reinforced through pictures.”

Next week, the institute will meet officials from a Chennaibased agency to discuss and workout the modalities of developing the apps. Inputs will be sought from professors on the various tough courses and therefore decide which content must be made available on the apps.

“The internet has all kinds of information that is freely available which students can’t discriminate. Developing aps for specialized courses will help them focus on what is relevant and important for students,” said Yadav. “With desktops getting redundant, smartphones now assume the role of a second teacher.”

Developing the apps is on the lines of Massive Open Online Courses that offer a platform of interaction between students and teachers. “Teaching pedagogy has changed in many countries and it’s time that we also followed suit by innovating the way we teach. Just like the blackboard, the app will be also act as an interface for students that will be effective, and make learning interesting and fun,” said professor Bhaskar Thorat, head, department of chemical engineering.

Source | Hindustan Times | 5 August 2015