MISSION MATHS

Description

The main problem that the project wants to solve is that mathematical knowledge of students is too theoretical and teachers  lack innovative and effective teaching methods.

Mathematics is one of the basic subjects needed for everyday functioning. The effectiveness of teaching Maths in partner countries is of diverse nature which can be confirmed by TIMSS surveys  (http://timssandpirls.bc.edu/pirls2011/), yet we have the same problems with practical application of Maths.  Discussions with maths teachers and results of surveys conducted locally show that students have problems with interpreting data, graphs and simple databases. They cannot apply maths knowledge gained at school in everyday situations, though they can solve problems in exam/test papers (e.g. Polish exams for 6th graders). Students  can’t see universality of maths and its close connection to other fields of science that is why they have problems with practical skills like statistics, probability, business skills which they could use to solve problems  creatively. However, they are more and more demanding and traditional methods used at school aren’t  very effective and do not appeal to young computer-hungry minds. So we need to introduce and test innovative methods, such as Inquiry-Based Method, SCRATCH programming language  and make use of logical games and strategy-based tasks during lessons. Teachers find it difficult to show the importance of practical Maths in a way which would appeal to or be attractive to young students who live in technology-oriented world as there are few multimedia educational programmes that could be attractive for young minds and stimulate them to perceive maths problems practically. So through computer programmes and languages, using videos involving peer teaching and great support from the experienced German partner, students will get more interested and teachers develop their competence.
 

Traditional organization of classwork makes it difficult for teachers to organize out-of-classroom activities and events. Project activities will be a grassroot initiative triggering off new approach and  changes in maths curriculum to make it more practical. Inequality in achievement between girls and boys (boys are better in all partner countries TIMSS results) will be lessened by constructing the activities that will be attractive and efficient to both genders. In our project boys and girls will be given the same opportunities to develop maths and problem solving skills.

Our target groups are students and Maths and IT teachers from schools that are far from scientific centres which could inspire teachers and students alike. As German partner has great experience in implementing innovative methods and strategies and also cooperates with scientific centres, they’ll serve as tutors and share knowledge and  competence with project target groups.
 

The project will make it easier for target groups to exchange ideas and practical experience through transnational meetings as each partner to the project comes from different economic background, has different facilities but shares the same objective of increasing student scientific knowledge and enhancing  their further scientific education.

The international cooperation is necessary as German partner has already implemented effective educational programmes which other partners can benefit from.  Moreover, successful ideas of other partners that have been carried out on local or regional level will be spread internationally.

The main objective of the project is to enhance students practical maths knowledge to be applied in other fields of science and everyday situations