Title: Interactivity in an online math class

Abstract: It is well known that a class that is interactive, involves student-student interaction, student-instructor interaction, and student-course content interaction higher levels of success and satisfaction. In face-to-face courses, interactivity is much easier to ensure. Instructors and students can see each other. If a student looks confused, the instructor can ask them if they have a question. Instructors can give regular time for students to chat amongst themselves in small groups. Students can interact before and after class; increasing their level of interactivity in the course. Can there be interactivity in online math class? How can we promote interactivity in online courses? The talk will try to answer some of these questions.

Title: The educational use of tables on advanced scientific calculators

Abstract: Although frequently neglected, the scientific calculator continues to be the most affordable technology widely available in schools and that most likely to be accepted in examinations, as it does not require electricity, the Internet or a computer for successful use. Advanced scientific calculators of recent years include many features expressly designed for educational use, but are still frequently misunderstood as mostly devices for numerical computation. Following a model for the educational use of calculators, this talk describes and illustrates several ways in which the use of a calculator facility to construct tables of values can have educational value in the secondary school. Examples include the study of linear and quadratic functions, algebraic equivalence, equations, sequences, series, limits, convergence, differentiation and integration. The talk concludes by observing that the educational value of calculators derives from the experiences they offer students, not merely from their capacity to generate numerical answers, even though naïve interpretations of the word ‘calculator’ as a device for ‘calculation’ continue to be widespread.

Title: Using virtual manipulatives to engage students in deep mathematical exploration and discovery

Abstract: Manipulatives can transform how students make meaning of important ideas by making abstract relationships visible, by teaching creativity and problem-solving, and by allowing students to explore and discover. Learn how virtual manipulatives can mirror these effects and support more complex interactions that are not possible in the physical world.

Participants will learn about many different types of virtual manipulatives: from numbers bars and algebra tiles, to more unusual ones like prime factor circles, custom probability tools, and polyominoes. Participants will learn about how to create and share interactive workspaces with students to promote collaboration and discovery in their classroom. The session will focus on the manipulatives and tools available using Polypad on Mathigon.org, which is freely available in many different languages.

Title: Some surprising mathematical concepts can be tested while modelling a clock face

Abstract: This talk will describe a number of pedagogical outcomes while setting up a graphical model for a clockface. The minute and hour hands need to move correctly as time progresses (in minutes past the hour). The following concepts can be explored: equal aspect, equation of a circle, parametric coordinates, angles in degrees and radians, vectors with cartesian and polar coordinates. An extension exercise is to create a digital version of the clock, and this introduces INT and MOD. The software used for this exercise is Autograph 5, available as a free download from www.tsm-resources.com which runs on all Windows desktops. A version to runs on the web, and hence all devices, is under development.

Title: Developing mathematical thinking using spreadsheets

Abstracts: Spreadsheets are usually overlooked and underutilized when it comes to teaching and learning of mathematics. However, an early introduction to spreadsheets can help inculcate mathematical thinking skills in young children. In this talk we will illustrate the potential offered by MS Excel in exploring mathematical concepts and problems through simulations. The use of simple commands and conditional statements can be used to generate and visualize data and illustrate patterns through graphical displays. The problems discussed in the talk may be easily integrated at various stages of the school curriculum.

Title: Integrating computational thinking for improving student learning in mathematics education

Abstract: Computational thinking goes beyond technology in education to include key aspects in problem solving including problem decomposition, algorithmic thinking, abstracting from computation and recognizing patters. In this talk, we will share a variety of innovative pedagogical frameworks and classroom examples using computational thinking that will help transform teaching and learning both inside and outside the classroom. We will also share how computational thinking can enhance the power of mathematics by automating calculations, approximating solutions to problems that cannot be calculated exactly, and analysing large data sets available to identify meaningful patterns.

Title: Developing future inventors, using math

Abstract: What is the best way to approach education? Entire industries have developed to teach children by giving them methods to practice, to achieve higher scores on exams. However, when was the last time that any adult needed to figure out how many chickens and rabbits there were, given that there were 10 heads and 32 legs? In contrast, the most valuable challenges we face in the modern century are those which nobody has ever seen before. Invention (and more generally, creativity), are much more valuable than the ability to remember how to accurately perform complicated tricks.

How then, can we teach how to invent? In this talk, Prof. Loh will share his own experiences learning in a way that is very different from how many students learn nowadays. He will also share tips on more effective ways to teach, which focus on helping students develop true invention skills through proper use of math and math competitions. These ways are appropriate for all students who are open-minded, not only those who are math competition superstars. They are designed to turn many students into creative thinkers who themselves have confidence to face and overcome previously-unseen challenges.

Title: Mathematical intuition in testing times

Abstract: The pandemic has caused an unparalleled disruption in schooling. Our notions of assessment have been greatly challenged, but tests and examinations remain invariant. Is there a way to focus on mathematical intuition in assessments? These testing times provide a much needed opportunity to rethink testing methods.

Title: Teaching & learning maths with Google apps

Abstract: Students often spend a lot of their mathematics classroom time watching a teacher work on mathematics, then trying to follow their steps. Chalkboards may have been replaced with “smart boards” but very little else has changed. Digital tools allow us to shift how students interact with math. We can use these tools to help our students communicate their ideas, collaborate, and demonstrate critical and creative thinking. Google Workspace for Education is one of the best digital tools for helping us get there.In this talk, we will share how Google apps like Slides, Docs, Sheets and Jamboard can make mathematics concepts visual and engage students to learn and explore maths at their own pace.

Title: Teaching mathematics by story telling coupled with technology

Abstract: Storytelling in a mathematics classroom is somewhat strange. The reactions of mathematics teachers vary widely. A college teacher is not at all for it, whereas for a primary school teacher it is a part and parcel of classroom teaching. In this talk I would like to share my experiences I had with a set of students from high school level their learning experience of the topic “Using storytelling coupled with technology”. A geometry problem was chosen, and a story was spun around it and was given to the students equipped with GeoGebra software. They had to work with this problem, draw conclusions and give a rigorous proof for the claim they make. As far as the teachers of mathematics are concerned this is not only an interesting field but also a potential field for the research on mathematics education.