The Hindu Business Line : Learning maths the Casio way

IF subjects like history, geography or for that matter biology and physics can be made interesting by evolving activities with learning tools, why not mathematics?

In keeping with its product line, consumer electronics major, Casio India Co Pvt Ltd, has embarked on an educational programme gearing towards making the teaching and learning of mathematics more interesting.

"The aim of the company is that the focus of the subject should be more on problem solving with an emphasis on interpretation of the results rather than mere mechanical calculations. This has become necessary as today the number of students opting for higher mathematics is declining, especially after class 10," Mr Kulbhushan Seth, Chief Manager-Market Planning and Head of Sales, New Products, Casio India said. Casio is spending about Rs 50 lakh in the first phase. "It is a non-commercial venture," Mr Seth said.

Carrying forward the company's objective of "Supporting classrooms with technology", Casio has launched an array of user friendly Scientific Graphic Calculators at affordable prices.

The new product range of graphic calculators include Algebra FX2.0, CFX-9850GB Plus and fx7400G, priced at Rs 4,850, Rs 3,850 and Rs 2,450 respectively.

The pilot programme using these tools will cover 20 schools and 20 engineering colleges. The focus States will be Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Delhi.

"Casio India is actively involved with students and the teaching community in an attempt to generate an interest in mathematics. The company proposes to implement the programme in phases," Mr Seth said.

The company commenced this programme with an informative and interactive session in IIT Chennai and colleges in Mumbai.

Elucidating about the programme, Mr Seth said that, the aim would be to make mathematics more interesting by familiarising the teachers with these tools and also organising hobby workshops designed to generate an interest in the subject and sharpen the analytical skills.

"Graphic calculators are often misunderstood as devices primarily used for drawing graphs of functions. They are sometimes referred to as graphing calculators, but the reality is that graphic calculators are general purpose mathematical devices, designed to match the mathematical needs of secondary school students," he said.

Further, these tools are equipped with software, which facilitates the teaching and learning of mathematics in a simpler and innovative manner. The other important feature of the graphic calculator is that they are small and portable.

Some of the mathematical capabilities of graphic calculators include data analysis, numerical tabulation, matrix arithmetic and financial mathematics to name a few. "These calculators also have graphic screens on which images can be constructed through visualisation," Mr Seth said.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail
Comment on this article to BLFeedback@thehindu.co.in

Stories in this Section
What makes Chinese economy click

Rs 9,045-cr supplementary demands passed

A pretty good service for all you know, sir?

ACM Medical Foundation donates diagnostic equipment

Ethanol makers, oil cos to discuss price issue today

Kolkata power utility may hike tariffs

Karnataka power situation bleak

`Quality power not burden of utilities alone'

`Global N-power industry on revival path'

Bengal zone tax refunds poised to go up 20 pc

IMRB launches radio audience research tool