Last month, the competition, its results, and some challenges and solutions to improve mathematical proficiency were discussed. There was also evidence of a lack of progress of some participants linked to self-confidence, personal motivation, and a lack of basic division knowledge and skills.
This is the feedback about the ‘diva’ intervention and a look at some of the additional motivation being implementing to encourage participants to improve their mathematical proficiency.
The discussion of division and mastering the counting in decimal multiples to play ‘diva’ with a set of double 10 dominoes with the 48 groups went well. ‘Long division’ was used to convince learners of the correctness of the answers in the ‘diva’ table (see table). Assistance was then provided to participants to help them memorising the values in the table.
It’s quite simple to use the table: using it horizontally (across the table) take the number 1 for example in the first column. Going across the table, 1 would be divided by the number at the top of the vertical columns from 1 to 10 – the answers are reflected in the horizontal column e.g.: 1 divided by 3 equals 0.33. Using the table vertically, take the number 7 and proceed down the table from 1 – 10 in the far left column e.g.: 2 divided by 7 equals 0.29 and 8 divided by 7 equals 1.14.
The explanation and memorising of the ‘diva’ table were followed with a detailed explanation about how to work towards an 80% goal for the last assessment in June 2024. Most participants agreed that it is possible, and they look forward to achieving more than 80% for an evaluation – a potential first for many participants!
The monthly assessment showed an increase of 5.5% to 35.2% in proficiency amongst paticipants, 8% below the average target of 43%. Activity on the numiknow™ application increased, and an average score of 38% was recorded. A more detailed analysis again indicated that some participants are improving continuously, but it is not a general tendency and will be addressed.
On March 19th and 20th, the numiknow™ school competition was held. This competition motivated the community, teachers, parents, and learners to participate in the game and improve their mathematical proficiency. This competition was also linked to International Pi Day, and some of the games were related to pi or π, which is the ratio of the circumference of any circle to the diameter of that circle.
The winning teams in the Senior Phase were from Maahlamela High and German S Chiloane Secondary Schools. The teams from Makgaung and Mahlambandopfu Primary Schools won the Intermediate Phase competition.
To motivate the learners further, the participants of a school competition held between Thorometsane and Matlabong Primary Schools on the 28th of November 2023 will have a second chance this month, where they will compete to see who can improve their mathematical proficiency in the shortest possible time. The difference is that for this competition, specific numiknow™ standards were set, and the first person to achieve the standard before the 31st of March 2024 will win R 1000.00 in cash and two boxes of dominoes for their school.
Next, the research project at German S Chiloane Secondary School continues where eight participants are playing the numiknow™ Games with one each of the Grade 8 and 9 classes two afternoons per week for the first and second terms, to determine if and how their playing of the games influences their mathematics marks. The first Term’s best-performing players will also participate in a fun holiday program and have the chance to play numiknow™ as an application on a tablet or a smartphone.
Lastly, as some of the SEF participants have improved significantly, the Champion of Champions competition was introduced to find the great mathematicians in the Kruger to Canyons Biosphere among all participants and learners in June 2024, where valuable prizes will be at stake for the top participants. To qualify to participate in this competition, a player must join numiknow™ 91 by getting all 91 questions correct. The members of numiknow™ 91 will be introduced to more games and compete in 20 games at the June 2024 event.
Next month, we shall look at the other components of the SEF project and the unexpected interest some parents are taking in their children’s mathematical proficiency.
A big thank you must go out to the prize sponsors: SPAR Hoedspruit, SUPERSPAR Acornhoek, Koru Camp, Trophy Toyota, Blydevallei Boerdery, BBI and the Landman Group.
To contact Thias Taute about numiknow™ you can do so through the Hoedspruit Hub: 079 502 4727 or on email thias@hoedspruithub.com
