Feature: Mathematics computer program enhances learning in Kenya

Feature: Mathematics computer program enhances learning in Kenya

By Bedah Mengo

NAIROBI, May 9 (Xinhua) -- The young boy studying at a secondaryschool in Nairobi, Kenya clicks a button to open a program on acomputer.

He waits keenly as the program loads up before giving thecomputer another instruction. Soon, he picks a textbook and startsworking mathematical problems on the computer. He types a quadraticequation and uses the program to solve it.

After completing the task, he draws a triangle using the programand starts to solve its various properties. In mathematics, thetopic is known as trigonometry.

The boy smiles as he completes the exercise in about two minutes."It would have taken me about 20 minutes to complete solving themathematical problems if I was doing them manually," he says with abroad smile.

The boy and other students in various schools and colleges inKenya and other countries in Sub-Saharan Africa can now performmathematical and science problems faster and accurately, thanks tothe computer program known as Microsoft Mathematics.

The students in various learning institutions are now embracingthe program launched recently as they use technology to facilitatelearning. "The program empowers students to engage with potentiallyintimidating problems, giving them tools not only to arrive at theright answers, but to understand how they got there," says AlexNyingi, Academic Programs Manager at Microsoft East and SouthernAfrica.

He notes that mathematics and sciences can become overwhelming,even for students who excelled at lower levels hence the need toembrace technology. The program has a powerful algebra system with afriendly user interface. "It works in collaboration with teachersto help students stay engaged in mathematics and sciences. Algebraand geometry students benefit from fast, clear equation solving,while more advanced students get help in subjects such as calculus,trigonometry, physics and chemistry," he observes.

Often, in Kenya as in other countries, teachers are underpressure to raise math and sciences scores. Therefore, they in turnheap the pressure on students making them find mathematics andsciences frustrating. "Microsoft Mathematics can eliminate negativeattitudes towards mathematics. Teachers only need to equip studentswith the tools they need to grasp the concepts behind the correctanswers and allow them to work on their own," he says.

Indeed, every year when Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education(KCSE) results are announced, mathematics and sciences are the worstperformed subjects.

According to Nyingi, Microsoft Mathematics guides students alongevery step towards the solution of a problem. "The program has aworksheet area that lets students work through math equations andexpressions, saving their work for later review. As they retracetheir steps, they develop the kind of comprehension that leads todeepening curiosity, not just higher test scores," he says.

Interestingly, he says the program can serve as a homework aidfor students, helping them to reinforce concepts they learned inclass. "Parents who often have a harder time helping theirchildren in math than with other subjects, can use MicrosoftMathematics to refresh their skills and help students prepare forthe next test," he says.

Teachers, he says can use the equation solver feature of theprogram to demonstrate systematically solutions to many mathproblems, from pre-algebra to calculus.

More interestingly, students can use the program to draw full-color 3-D graphs. The program is suitable to learners at all levelssince it has from basic functions to the more advanced ones.

For a student to use the program, a school needs to have acomputer and access to the internet "All they need to do is to logonto the Microsoft website and download for free the program theninstall on their computers. The program runs on Windows XP, WindowsVista and Windows Server," he says.

A number of schools in Kenya have now embraced the program andincorporated it in their mathematics and science lessons. One such aschool is Maranda Secondary in Nyanza, Western Kenya.

According to Okemwa, a teacher at the school, "the program hasenhanced students understanding of Mathematics. It provides agraphing calculator that plots in 2D and 3D and useful tools to helpstudents with math and science studies."

He adds that students can use the program to perform problemsfrom basic math to calculus. "Among the features of the programthat I like are its full- featured graphing calculator, Formulas andEquations Library, the Triangle Solver, the Unit Conversion tool andink handwriting support," he says.

The teacher says it is a high time schools and students embracetechnology and change their way of working, thinking and tools forworking.

However, while the program is an innovative tool to enhancelearning, its spread in Kenya will be minimal.

This is because many institutions do not have properinfrastructure to enable use of computers and consequently theprogram.

According to Kenya's Ministry of Information and Communication,at least 5 million Kenyans, out of a population of 40 million, usecomputers often.

Among reasons cited for low use of computers in Kenya is lack ofelectricity especially in rural areas.