Math laboratory
- 1. BY: DR. PREETI SANGWAN
- 2. Mathematics laboratory is a unique room or place, with relevant and up-to-date equipment known as instructional materials, designated for the teaching and learning of mathematics ,whereby a trained and professionally qualified person (mathematics teacher) readily interact with learners (students) on specified set of instructions.
- 3. “laboratory method” is commonly used today to refer to an approach for teaching and learning of mathematics which provides opportunity to the learners for connecting abstract mathematical ideas through their own experiences, that is to relate symbol to realities.
- 4. The materials or equipment that can be found in the mathematics laboratory include, among others constructed (wooden/metal/plastic made) mathematical sets, charts and pictures, computer(s), computer software, audio-visual instructional materials such as projector, electronic starboard, radio, television set, tape recorder, video tape, etc, solid shapes (real or model), bulletin board, three-dimensional aids, filmstrips, tape photographs, portable board or whiteboard, abacus, cardboards, tape measure, graphics, workbooks, graphs, flannel boards, flash cards etc.
- 9. audio-visual instructional materials such as projector, charts, models, radio, television set, tape recorder, video tape, etc,
- 11. Identify the necessary materials required in the laboratory by labeling them with name tags. 2 Put or assemble all related equipment or materials on the same side/place. e.g. geometric objects should not be placed where audio-visual materials are positioned. 3 Put the bulletin board close to the entrance door in case of any information display. 4 Arrange the benches and tables to allow for free movement in the laboratory. 5 Hang relevant pictures and charts on picture rails and boards.
- 13. 6 The starboard or white board must be positioned where every student can readily see it. 7 Shelves can be constructed for keeping and demarcating materials. 8 Electronic materials such as projector, television, etc, should be properly displayed. 9 Electrification of the laboratory should be professionally done to allow for safety use. 10 Display materials on tables in an organized manner. 11 The laboratory should be set in such a way that it must be well ventilated.
- 15. 12 Handy materials that can be easily destroyed or lost can be kept in a cabinet or separate shelves. 13 Arrange the materials in places (on tables, shelves, board, etc) in a way that they can be easily accessed when needed and returned
- 16. Permitting students to learn abstract concepts through concrete experiences and thus increase their understanding of those ideas. Enabling students to personally experience the joy of discovering principles and relationships. Arousing interest and motivating learning. Cultivating favorable attitudes towards mathematics. Enriching and varying instructions. –
- 17. Encouraging and developing creative problems solving ability. – Allowing for individual differences in manner and speed at which students learn. – Making students to see the origin of mathematical ideas and participating in “mathematics in the making” – Allowing students to actually engage in the doing rather than being a passive observer or recipient of knowledge in the learning
- 18. Adenegan, K. E. (2001). Issues and Problems in the National Mathematics Curriculum of the Senior Secondary Schools level. Pp.4-5. Unpublished paper. Adenegan, K.E. (2003): Relationship Between Educational Resources And Students Academic Performance in SSCE Mathematics in Owo Local Government Area. Unpublished B.Sc.(Ed.) Project, Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo. Adenegan, K.E. (2007): Teaching Methodologies: Issues, Challenges and Implications on the Teaching and Learning of Mathematics in Primary School, Nigerian Journal of Research in Primary Education (NJORPED), Ondo.Vol.1 No.1, Pp 29-35. Adenegan, K. E, Ipinlaye, A. B. and Lawal, M.O (2010): Enhancing Quality Control of Mathematics Education through Improvisation and Utilization of Instructional Materials