Online

Assignment

Online Assignment

Submitted to :

Submitted by :

Jaseena Teacher

Akhila S. Nair

JamiaB.Ed Training College

JamiaB.Ed Training College

Chithara

Chithara

THEORETICAL BASE OF
MATHEMATICS EDUCATION - 1

Topic :

NEED AND SIGNIFICANCE OF

MATHEMATICS LABORATORY

INDEX

Sl.No

Content

Page no

Introduction

Need and significance

6-8

Functions

Conclusion

10

Reference

11

INTRODUCTION

The mathematics laboratory has not yet received the same general acceptance as a
science laboratory. This is probably because the mathematics teachers themselves have not
recognized the significance of mathematics laboratory as the science teachers have. Actually
most mathematical teachers have been very passive as to this respect. Most students find such
work highly interesting and through such activities they can develop many mathematical
concepts and insights with an interest and a clarity often not attained through a strictly
intellectual approach. Moreover, these concepts become more meaningful, functional and
endurable when they are seen in relation to actual applications. Further, more involvement in the
laboratory work helps in satisfying the creative and constructive urges of the students.

NEED AND SIGNIFICANCE OF MATHEMATICS

LABORATORY
Recently laboratory work in mathematics is receiving increasing attention. The
underlying idea of a mathematical laboratory is that pupil will develop new concepts and
understanding particularly well through experimental activities dealing with with concrete
situations. It is particularly difficult to understand mathematical concepts as they are abstract in
nature. They can be learned better through observation of the of the concrete

situations and

experiments and manipulation of concrete objects. Activities such as measuring and drawing
counting, weighing, averaging, and estimating taking the readings from instruments, recording,
comparing, analyzing, classifying and checking data, collecting data, working with data and so
on will involve the use of physical instruments and can be labeled as laboratory work. Some of
this work can be done in the classroom that is suitably arranged and equipped (mathematics
laboratory) and some can take the form of elementary field work.
Experimental activities include the kind of activities which are carried on individually or
by small groups working together and are primarily aimed at helping experimenters themselves
to understand concepts/ ideas clearly. In the high school mathematics, properties of geometric
figures and concepts of distance, angles, weights, areas, volumes, and loci, etc. Can be given a
more vivid impact through experimental activities than through any other means.

Materials and Equipments for a Mathematics Laboratory

For the effective functioning of a Mathematics Laboratory, it should be well equipped. A
Mathematics Laboratory may contain the following type of materials and equipments.
Materials

-Concrete Materials
The Mathematics Laboratory should contain materials such as beads, pebbles, sticks, ball frames,
seeds, weights, measuring tapes, scissors, pins, abacus, cardboard, board pins, chart, paper, graph
paper etc. which are very helpful for demonstrating elementary mathematical concepts.

-Pictures and Charts

Pictures and charts depicting different mathematical concepts should find a place in a
Mathematics Laboratory, Pictures of mathematicians, chart showing the contributions of
mathematicians, history of mathematics, biographies of mathematicians are also very helpful in
inspiring students and can be placed in the Mathematics Laboratory.

-Models.
Various Mathematical models which will offer opportunities for students to explore and
investigate should be placed in the Mathematics Laboratory.

Bulletin Board

There should be at least one bulletin board in mathematics Laboratory to display various
illustrations concerning mathematics. Information relating to mathematics and its applications
collected from different sources like magazines, journals and newspapers can be displayed for
the benefit of all pupils.

Blackboard

A blackboard should be provided in the mathematics laboratory. This helps in writing

instructions drawing geometrical figures and illustrations necessary for performing the laboratory
work.

Instruments and Equipments

-Drawing Instruments
In mathematics laboratory, the students are required to draw and sketch geometrical figures,
graphs and so on. Therefore, in every mathematics laboratory there should be a set of drawing
instruments like compass, rulers, protractor etc. for the teachers to demonstrate the drawing on
the blackboard and instrument boxes for the students use. Stencils for drawing geometrical
figures are also important tools in a mathematics laboratory.

-Weighing and Measuring Instruments

Mathematics Laboratory work, quite often, involves the important activities of weighing and
measuring. Therefore, instruments used for measuring and weighing such as measuring tapes,
balances of different types, measuring jar, and graduated cylinder should be there in a
mathematics laboratory.

-Surveying Instruments
Surveying is an important aspect of mathematics laboratory work. Laying out right angles,
finding the angular distance, estimating the height of a building, estimating the height of a
building, estimating the distance of an object, finding the angle of elevation and depression are
all useful activities which make use of surveying instruments. The following instruments are
very useful in this regard and they should have a place in the mathematics laboratory
.

Angle mirror for laying out right angles in the field.

Sextant for measuring
Plane table and Alidote for elementary mapping and surveying
Clinometers foe estimating the
Transit for measuring the angular distance of two objects.
Level for finding differences in elevation.

-Proportional Dividers
This instrument works on the principle of proportionality of similar triangles. It can be used for
enlarging or reducing figures, pictures, maps, graphs etc.

Functioning of a mathematics laboratory

The primary functions of a mathematics laboratory are to
-

Make mathematics teaching and learning, interesting and purposeful for the students.
Provide activities that arouse the curiosity of the students and maintain their interest in

learning
Enable students to develop proper skills in handling equipment and gadgets.
Make students appreciate the practical applicability of mathematical principles and laws
Concretise the abstract mathematical concepts
Help the students develop powers of observation, analysis and drawing inferences.

CONCLUSION
Laboratory work in mathematics may degenerate into more or less aimless playing with
instruments, models and gadgets. To be productive the activities must be carefully planned,
supervised and guided towards definite goals. Responsibility for the success and effectiveness of
the laboratory work solely rests upon the mathematics teacher.
The activities involved in laboratory type work in mathematics fall broadly into two
classes, namely demonstrations and experimental activities. However, these two categories
are not mutually exclusive. In demonstrations some physical instrument or device is used to
illustrate and clarify the explanation of mathematical concept or a method.

10

REFERENCE

*Teaching of Mathematics
Dr.Anice james

*Teaching Mathematics
Michael D.Resnih

*Teachers and Learners

Santhanam

11