User:OLPC Mathematics

TITLE: USING THE XO LAPTOP TO AID TEACHING OF MATHEMATICS

Address: Hands of Charity Off Thika road, Seasons matatu terminal along Kasarani – Mwiki road past ICIPE Mark Koech c/o Theresa Okello Number of laptops: 10 Loan length: 4 months (9), 6 months (1)

Team participants:

1. Mark Koech (Team Leader) Email: billiago@gmail.com Education: Student, United States International University, B.Sc, Information Systems and Technology A-level Certificate, 2006 O-level Certificate, 2004

2. Elias Kimaiga Moregi, Education: KCA University BCOM and CPA Accounts Clerk Nyakach Girls’ High School Profession: Teacher, Matongo Mixed Secondary School

3. Stephen Sawa Education: Diploma, Primary School Science Certificate in Social work Profession: Head Master, St. Aloys Academy

4. Maruti J. Soita Education: Masters Degree, Education, Kenyatta University Bachelors Degree, Education, University of Nairobi Profession: Teacher, Chejamisi Girls’ High School

5. Elizabeth Ogutu, Mobile: +254 716 196 989 Education: Student, United States International University, BA Accounting

OBJECTIVES The primary goal of this project is to develop a project that will aid teachers in Kenyan Primary Schools teach the basic concepts of Mathematics in sync with the Kenyan Primary School syllabus using the XO laptop. The specific objectives of this project are:

1. To improve the ability of children to memorise and enhance the use of the basic Mathematical operations, that is +, -, ÷ and × using the XO laptop applications.

2. To improve children’s ability and understanding of the measurement and calculation of area, circumference and perimeter of 2-dimensional figures and the Surface Area and Volume of 3-dimansional objects with the aid of the XO laptop.

3. To aid the children in the proper understanding of the topics of ratios, percentages and proportions according to the Kenyan Primary School syllabus.

PLAN OF ACTION

1. Develop a curriculum that will aid teachers as they teach basic mathematics concepts using the XO laptop.

2. Train the teachers just before the third term which begins in September on how they can use this laptop to aid them teach their students better and faster, at the same time improving the levels of understanding of these students.

3. Integrate the program into the school schedule making sure it does not interfere with the school’s activities and start the implementation of the program by the September the 10th

4. Use the mid-term and end of term exams to monitor the progress in the students’ progress.

NEEDS

1. There is a lack of proper teaching methods in Kenya and hence students at this tender age are unable to grasp the fundamentals of Mathematics. The XO laptop will therefore supplement the teaching methods already in place and will be especially useful with the object oriented and simple way that it does so.

QUALITY / MONITORING

1. Yes, the project would benefit from documentation, support and/or testing since these will help track and monitor the progress of the project and help make any improvements if needed.

2. Teachers’ input would be valuable since they are experienced in dealing with these children and are the ones that will implement this program.

3. We will promote our work by posting the project progress to our website and also through the OLPC conference to be held in March 2010.

4. No, because there is a technical team that will facilitate the technical aspects of the project.

TIMELINE The entire project will take a total of three months. The first analysis on the impact of the project will be done after six weeks and the second one at the end of the project using the mid-term and end of term examinations respectively.

Mark Koech (Team Leader) Email: billiago@gmail.com