Top teacher inspired by young ‘digital natives’
The struggle to engage students in mathematics and statistics is real, but one teacher is using technology to change the way students think about the subject.
Based in Auckland, Ormiston Senior College curriculum leader Subash Chandar noticed a disconnect between written equations and problem-solving and what they could be used for – like moving robotic equipment.
Chandar’s class of ‘‘digital natives’’ inspired him to think outside the box and help make maths interesting.
Teachers, he said, had realised that they need to change their pedagogies to meet the needs of students who were growing up with technology at their fingertips.
Chandar has set out to change the way teachers assess and teach students studying NCEA-level maths and statistics.
He started YouTube channel
because there were no maths videos targeted at Kiwis.
It was a way to help connect the next generation with their schooling, he said.
‘‘The kids always ask, ‘What will I ever use Pythagoras or trigonometry for?’ From the time they are born, they are used to the idea of having a smart device.’’
Despite using the relatively new method, Chandar said he did not consider himself ‘‘ahead of the game’’.
‘‘I think we’re always behind the eight ball because these kids, if they’re interested, they will learn anything that they want.’’
He was constantly on the hunt for ideas to excite students, he said. So he began assessing them differently, using a robotic toy which moved when programmed with the answers from maths equations.
‘‘[Students] could actually see the answer in action’’ when they made an error, and could go back and fix it, Chandar said.
Chandar has been awarded the National Excellence in Education Awards (NEiTA) top honour for his inspiring work as a mathematics and statistics teacher.