If you go and ask students today how they feel about math as a subject, you will get mixed responses.
Math gets a bad rep from students. It can also be intimidating as a subject. In 2023, a study conducted by UNESCO found that only 12.3 per cent of India’s lower secondary school students are proficient in basic mathematics. A global assessment conducted by OECD (which India is not a member of) saw an unprecedented drop in math performance. Compared to 2018, the mean performance in maths fell by nearly 15 points.
There are several reasons why this may happen. According to John Mighton, who is a Schwab Foundation 2015 Social Entrepreneur of the Year Awardee, natural academic hierarchies play a significant role in. In the article, he says that as early as kindergarten, children begin to compare themselves with their peers and to identify some as talented or “smart” in various subjects.
“Students who do well in math are much more likely to finish school, attend university, and earn a good living than students who struggle in the subject. For young children, math is an even stronger predictor of academic success than reading,” he writes in his World Economic Forum article.
According to McKinsey & Company, achievement gaps in subjects like math impose the equivalent of a permanent national recession on the economy.
With artificial intelligence, math learning can be a DIY exercise for students. It can make math concepts such as trigonometry and algebra easier to understand. There is a huge opportunity for schools and students to bridge students this gap with AI based mathematics learning platforms
Here are a few examples of how:
Animated tutorials
In the aftermath of the pandemic, there was a lot of fatigue surrounding online learning, but it helped students become familiar with learning concepts on video platforms.
Today mathematics learning platforms for students can take it up a notch and use both 2D and 3D animations to problems and how to solve them. This can range from direct concept explanation to story-based learning making learning more interactive and fun.
Personalized assessments and coaching
A major part of K-12 learning is personalization. AI based mathematical learning platforms can generate unique learning paths for students based on their learning histories, goals and interests. AI based Mathematics learning platforms for students effectively adjust the difficulty and content of lessons based on a student’s performance and provide instant feedback on assignments. These can also rise to a level where they provide assistive technologies like text-to-speech and speech-to-text for differently abled students.
Establishing relevance
A core reason why students do not like mathematics is they don’t find it relevant beyond the classroom. What is the real application of geometry in day-to-day life? AI based mathematics learning platforms for students can help join the dots for them.
For example, a teacher can assign a project where students would design a small park. Using mathematics learning platforms for students, students can create and manipulate geometric shapes to plan the layout. The AI in the platform helps them visualize how different angles and triangles can be used to design pathways, seating areas, and garden plots.
Host lectures
A prominent way for mathematics learning platforms for students to develop an interest in mathematics is to host lectures by experts who can provide relatable experiences when it comes to learning math and offer insights on better learning practices.
In essence, mathematics learning platforms offer a wealth of tools to captivate students, including VR, simulations, and gamification. These technologies make learning interactive and fun, ensuring students stay engaged and grasp key concepts. By leveraging these innovative courses and platforms, we can transform mathematics from an unpopular subject into an exciting and enjoyable one.
Ms. Kavita Obhan is the senior manager of academics at Get Set Learn, an Arvind Mafatlal Group Company.
