Maths lover passing on passion with app
An actuarial science master’s student returned to the Eastern Cape from her studies abroad to roll out her maths app, which will help pupils at two Uitenhage schools to visualise and understand maths.
East London-born Athi Rwexu took a break from her master’s studies at the HeriotWatt University in Scotland to launch her app “Beta SigmaX” at Solomon Mahlangu and Uitenhage high schools.
Rwexu said the app – which took a year to develop – was installed on 50 pupils’ cellphones at each school.
Using graphics and animations, the app will allow pupils and teachers to visualise maths concepts and theories through what Rwexu calls “maths movies”.
“If you want to teach something to someone and have it anchored in their minds, use graphics and animation because a lot people are visual learners and can relate more to concepts by seeing and experiencing them,” Rwexu said.
“The work covered in the app complements the school curriculum and the idea is not to have pupils feel like they are studying when they use the app,” she said.
Rather, it is more of a passive learning experience.”
She said all her achievements to date were a result of her passion for mathematics.
Rwexu, 27, said she wanted to share her love of the subject and the opportunities it presented.
She is a member of the United Kingdom Institute Faculty of Actuaries, a member of the Actuarial Society of South Africa and a number of other actuarial associations.
She is also the founder of Rtech, a start-up company based in Melrose Arch, Johannesburg, which is focused on playing a role in reforming Africa’s education system through technology.
“It is aimed at getting pupils excited about mathematics. Through the animation we try to make the material more fun, and created what we call “maths movies”.
“These are the first two schools to receive the app and we will be back in a month to check the progress,” she said.
Rwexu said through partnering with the Bridge Foundation – a non-profit organisation that supports 108 schools across the country – the intention is to roll out the app at all of those schools.
Solomon Mahlangu High School principal Mncedi Mtengwana said the education system in the province needed to shift with the times to keep pupils interested and the material relevant.
“Mathematics is compulsory, and daunting for most pupils. Putting the information in an app is a great idea as it is something the youth relate to and are comfortable with.
“As a result they are more willing to apply themselves.
“While pupils know they are not allowed to bring cell- phones [to school] we as the leadership can’t expect pupils to carry a bag full of textbooks every day – those days are gone.
“We need to adapt and make education relevant,” Mtengwana said.
Matric pupil and Representatives Council of Learners leader Liyema Momo, 18, said the app would go a long way to improving the overall attitude of pupils to maths and, ultimately, maths results.
“Probably 90% of the pupils have cellphones and are able to access the app,” Momo said.
“Because we are confident of things we do and say on our phones, I think the app will definitely assist in changing the mindset of pupils when it comes to maths.
“The fact that it is on the phone allows us to access maths anywhere and everywhere.
“And because it is not fullon studying and writing test papers, we can even revise the concepts before we sleep or whenever you’re just bored.”
The app can be downloaded from Appstore and google playstore.
‘Through animation we try to make the material more fun, and created maths movies’ Athi Rwexu
MASTER’S STUDENT