Sri Lanka students test e-learning programs to boost mathematics skills
Wednesday, 4 June 2014 00:00
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Forty secondary schools across Sri Lanka this week started using new mathematics e-learning programs to boost students’ math ability and to determine if e-learning should be incorporated into math lessons nationwide.
“Boosting mathematics skills and critical thinking is essential in today’s modern world. Computer technologies can complement regular classroom teaching in a way that can bring everyone up to international levels in an individual way,” said Asian Development Bank (ADB) South Asia Department Director Sungsup Ra.
Under a $ 725,000 grant, ADB has translated the mathematics e-learning programs of Khan Academy and MathCloud into Sinhala. These will be used in 20 schools each as part of daily mathematics lessons on a six-month trial basis through to the end of 2014. Student performance will then be assessed to determine how effective the programs were in boosting students’ mathematics achievement and confidence.
In many developing countries, the quality of education suffers due to weak teacher training, inadequate school facilities and equipment, and outdated curricula. Although many governments in developing Asia see the value of introducing information communication technologies into schools, the focus has largely concentrated on providing computers and other hardware, rather than the software and computer programs needed to make use of them.
The result is that many students in the region leave school with an education that is ill-fitted to a modern global economy. In Sri Lanka, around half of 16-year-olds have to retake the exams necessary to advance to their last two years of schooling. The government has been working to find ways of improving the quality of mathematics education in the country’s 9,905 schools, including introducing more software-based platforms to promote more dynamic learning and teaching.
Khan Academy is a free academic website that provides lectures and exercises on a variety of subjects, including mathematics. MathCloud, owned by South Korea’s MPDA Co. Ltd., is an online mathematics program of lectures and exercises that adapts to individual students’ learning requirements. MPDA was established in 2005 and is working with ADB through its non-profit arm, MPDA Angels.
ADB, based in Manila, is dedicated to reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific through inclusive economic growth, environmentally sustainable growth, and regional integration. Established in 1966, it is owned by 67 members – 48 from the region. In 2013, ADB assistance totaled $ 21.0 billion, including cofinancing of $ 6.6 billion.
