In all, 122 mathematics teachers from 72 schools across the country participated in the four-day mathematics education and technology conference which concluded here yesterday.

Organised jointly by Delhi Public School, R. K. Puram, and the Mathematical Sciences Foundation, the aim of the conference was to highlight the problems faced by teachers of mathematics and how to evolve better methods to popularise the subject.

The conference was attended by eminent mathematicians, including Prof Dinesh Singh, director, Mathematical Sciences Foundation, New Delhi; Douglas Butler, director, ICT Training Centre, Oundle, UK; and Dr Shailesh Shirali, director, Community Math Centre, Rishi Valley School.

In her welcome address, Dr Jonaki B Ghosh, in charge, mathematics lab and technology centre at the DPS, RK Puram, introduced the theme of the conference as “Enabling Mathematics Education through Technology and Making Mathematics Available to All”.

She emphasised upon the need to enhance the effectiveness of mathematics learning for all sections of students.

She said the challenge of educators lay in engaging the learners in exploring and experimenting with problems and their environment, so that they can learn and make sense of what they discover, on their own.

Dr. Ghosh’s point was seconded by Dr Dinesh Singh, who in his plenary talk on “Mathematics and the School Child: Creating Familiarity and Attachment”, mentioned that “what you do with your hands, enters the heart”. It is essential for students to be actively involved in practical application of mathematical concepts to truly develop a keen interest in the subject and be set on a journey of discovery of self.

A word of caution that appeared from the talks was that technology can be an excellent enabler in bridging divides and better understanding mathematics, but it can only be a tool. It is essential to learn to use technology in to our advantage, to aid and enhance, not suppress the usage of the human mind.

The talks and workshops conducted over the four days included those on teamwork in learning mathematics, mathematical software: aid to learning & discovery, visualizing and exploring mathematics using handheld technology, teaching fractions to middle school children: some failures, successes and issues, visualizing and exploring mathematics using handheld technology, teaching mathematics using geometer’s sketchpad, math learning disability: signs, symptoms and classroom strategies, innovative digital pedagogy for CBSE math among others.

The conference concluded with a panel discussion on issues confronting the mathematics teacher and was followed by a valedictory function in which Dr Shyama Chona, principal, delivered the vote of thanks.

According to Dr Chona, “learning mathematics is all about developing life skills.” She stressed on the need “to equip all range of students and make it accessible to one and all.” Prof. Dinesh Singh and Dr Shailesh Shirali summarised the proceedings by stating that the workshop should not be the end but should instead lead to the formation of mathematics forums by way of which teachers can share ideas and classroom practices. The CMET 2008 was a highly enriching experience for the participating teachers and the speakers alike.