Mathematics has to be learned by doing and not by rote memorization. This requires a suitable place for performing the activities. A well-equipped mathematics laboratory motivates the
students and creates an environment to learn mathematics by doing. The need for a mathematics laboratory is mentioned in the National Curriculum Framework for Elementary and Secondary Education (1988) and has also been endorsed in the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (2000).At DAV Public School, Nerul we have a well quipped Maths Lab to make Mathematics joyful.
A mathematics laboratory is an activity-centered approach to learning and a child is placed in a problem-solving situation through self-exploration and discovery. Some of the ways in which a
mathematics laboratory can contribute to the learning of the subject are as follows:
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It provides an opportunity to understand and internalize basic mathematical concepts through concrete objects and situations.
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It enables the students to verify or discover several geometrical properties and facts using models or paper cutting and folding techniques.
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It enables the students to draw graphs and do analyses based on their calculations
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The laboratory provides an opportunity to exhibit the relatedness of mathematicalconcepts with everyday life.
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The laboratory promotes collaborative learning among students which further assimilates the concepts more effectively.
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It enables the teacher to demonstrate, explain and reinforce abstract mathematical concepts/ideas by using concrete objects, models, charts, graphs, pictures, posters, etc.
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It enables the students to verify various identities and formulae used in Algebra and Mensuration through activities, 3-d models ofsolid figures, and illustrative audio -visual aids.