THOUGHTS ON TEACHING MATH WITHOUT WORDS

MARYGRACE B. GUEVARRA

Learners learn differently, teachers teach alike (if not all). Present day studies suggest that students have different intelligences, unsurprisingly they also differ the way they learn. Education administrators are constantly encouraging teachers to adapt, to a learner centered approach, a multiple intelligence relevant approach, but doesn’t really tell how to do it in all topics that teachers resist and say: you can’t do that for all topics.

However, a real game changer has been developed and they call it ST MATH. It is a product of MIND Research Institute and is regarded as the largest study of its kind. S for Spatial and T for Temporal, But more importantly ST Math is based on an applied neuro science research that makes learning mathematics, visual, engaging and motivating, and actually fun (because students learn by playing)

“ST Math is a visual instructional program that builds a deep conceptual understanding of math through rigorous learning and creative problem solving.” says website. ST math could change the course of mathematics education (backed by lots of positive data). The idea born out of a dyslexic that was inspired by a famous dyslexic, physics icon Albert Einstein’s statement that “language is a big barrier for him learning math”. Then that was an opportunity, teaching math without words. How do you do that? Technology made it possible through research based designed games. Learning takes place in form of games. Wherein a pupil should just let the penguin (I actually believe that is a linux figure) get through. The idea is simple but their application is mind blowing. From simple integers, multiplication and others to complex elaborate linear algebra problems. Which if you would think of, you can’t actually teach them without words. A penguin was crossing several bricks (representing integers) and when a red(negative) meets a yellow (positive) brick arrives it flips in the direction, they actually succeeded in showing that in multiplying integers different signs results to negative. If you are going to visit their website you can see several demo videos and games wherein you will be convinced that factoring can be taught without words. Just games and fun.

So, what’s the take? ST Math is so revolutionary unfortunately there is no substitute, there’s nothing like it not even on other platforms, I am hoping (even praying) that such opens in our country sooner. There are lots of visual learners, and there are learners who have linguistic difficulties, not only that they would overcome, they would actually get a very firm conceptual grasp of the mathematics.

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The author is Teacher III at Marcelo H. Del Pilar National High School