Mathematics laboratory

Mathematics Laboratory:

         Importance of Mathematics Laboratory:

        In Mathematics laboratory all essential items (E.g. set-square, compass, models etc) concerning the learning activities in mathematics are kept. It also provides facilities for laboratory work. The main aim of teaching of mathematics is the development of power of obstructs thinking and reasoning. For this we must start from concrete subjects, his learning is quicker and understanding is better. If mathematical facts are verified physically then they could be understood more easily and can be easily applied in new situations and also more practical work in mathematics makes the subject interesting to the student.

1.      It helps in making clear and in understanding abstract concepts.

2.      It saves teachers time by cutting short certain lengthy explanations.

3.      It enables the students to apply mathematical facts and principles in an actual life.

4.      The pupils develop love for the subject and arousing their interest in mathematics.

5.      It is multi-sensory approach to learning.

Equipments and maintenance of the Mathematics Laboratory:

     1.   Concrete Materials:

               It should be provided with concrete materials connected with simple arithmetical topic such as beads, stick, pebbles, ball frames, number cards, balances, coins, weights, measuring tapes apparatus which is used in Montessori Method card-board, chart paper, graphs etc.

     2. Charts:

               A number of Mathematical charts should be kept in the Mathematics laboratory. Charts can be used to explain certain points which other wise would be difficult to explain the teacher encourage the students to prepare charts on different topics of percentage, fractions, average etc.

     3.  Pictures and photographs:

             The pictures and photographs of various Mathematicians are prominently displayed in the Mathematics room. It would be much useful if the contributions of these Mathematicians are also indicated on such charts.

     4.  Models:

          Various mathematical models such as these of triangles, squares, solids etc, are stored in a mathematics laboratory. These help in understanding abstract Mathematical proofs (or) principles or statements are available in the market.

    5. Equipments and Materials Concerning other Subjects:

           Mathematical principles and procedures are used in other subjects and materials, equipment illustrating the application of Mathematics (E.g. barometer, hydrometer, pendulum) be also kept in mathematics laboratory.

     6.  Proportional Dividers, slide rules, is calculating Machines etc:

            These are quite useful in the study of similarity of geometrical figures and are kept in a mathematics laboratory, making use of these instruments we can magnify or reduce figures, graphs; maps etc. slide rules are quite useful in Mathematical calculations. Training in Mathematical calculations can be provided by using simple calculating machines. A simple calculating machine resembles a type writer. Its working is also very simple.

    7.   Surveying Instruments:

               Various instruments used in surveying kept in a mathematics laboratory because surveying is concerned with Mathematics.

a.       Angle Mirror:  Which is used for laying out right angles in the filed?

b.      Plane table:  Which is used for elementary mapping and surveying?

c.       Hypsometer and clinometers:  These are simple devices to measure angles of elevation and depression. These can be used to measure heights and distances of objects indirectly.

d.      Level:  Which is an instrument used in finding differences in elevation.

e.       Transit:  Which is an angle measure and a leveling instrument

    8. Projective Aids:

              Various projective aids and projecting devices such as magic lantern, film-strip projector, epidiascope etc, should also be kept in Mathematics laboratory.

Transparencies and its preparation:

                  Over head projector (OHP) is an important electronic teaching aid. This machine projects an image from a transparency which is transparent. The graphic picture and message of transparencies are reflected on a screen. The teacher while teaching can use transparencies and show the graphics and message. Besides, ready made transparencies, very often the teacher can write certain important points and draw figures (or) pictures on glass sheets with the help of a specific type of pen which can write various colours.

Use of Transparencies to teach Mathematics:

By using transparencies Mathematics teaching is very effective.

-          To draw the geometrical figures on transparencies.

-          To write the important formulas and conclusion.

-          To derive the formulas and equations.

-          To write the history of mathematicians.

-          To write draw the figures of famous mathematicians.

-          To prepare the programmed learning materials.

-          To draw the graphs of mathematics on methane’s problems.

-          To write the mathematics puzzles on transparences.

Advantages of transparencies:

1.      They serve as an attractive black board.

2.      While using transparencies, the teacher can face the class with out any difficulty.

3.      The classroom need not be darkened for projecting transparencies.

4.      The teacher can write or draw extemporanecessly and 10 x 10 surfaces of transparencies.

5.      Small objects can be shown on the machine simply by placing them on the projection stage.

6.      The graphics and writings on transparencies can be shown to students very clearly and colorfully.