Learning Mathematics through Narrative.
Objective
In this project, we want to introduce mathematical concepts using short story books. These books will
introduce fundamental aspects of mathematical reasoning and proof writing. The proposed structure is to attract and encourage students toward mathematics using a narrative story. The content of the story will guide readers toward mathematical formalism; stringing together statements in a logical order to conclude a mathematical statement.
Impact
The story books aim to cover several class levels (3-5, 6-8 and 9-12 standards). Each book will introduce a mathematical concept. The students are assumed to know what is commonly taught in textbooks as background, e.g., NCERT books. Through the narrative based books, young audiences will become familiar with logical reasoning and conceptualization of models as opposed to rote learning methods. This will help them overcome the perception of mathematics being difficult. In addition, this will garner long-term interest in mathematics and open avenues for mathematically inclined pupils to pursue a mathematics oriented career.
Project Description
Research in elementary education suggests that narratives help children learn a subject better. Research also suggests that a narrative without reiterating the methodology, that is, writing down the steps to reach an argument, the mathematical reasoning behind a particular formula or method, can make the students understand and apply the ideas incorrectly. In this project, we want to introduce mathematical content via short story books with some aspects of mathematical reasoning which is often introduced only at the higher secondary and undergraduate levels.