Math Monkey - Discussion
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Hi Candy,
I am glad to hear that your child is motivated to do the centre’s work and is learning well. Motivation comes from praises and physical incentives such as stickers and stars, which commercial centres are so good at, and schools so sorely need. -
Hi Mathematically Speaking,
Thanks for your input and altho i'm not an expert in Math, from what i read and know about vedic math, it seems very different from abacus?
yes abacus u're getting just the answer, whereas vedic math u're actually solving it in your mind?
altho i agree with you totally that MOE is moving away from the raw numerical ability as you have mentioned, i think vedic math trains the flexibility of the mind that u're able to think of how to solve questions in different ways, rather than knowing ONLY the MOE method.. i think this develops general problem solving skills that kids will require in life, and such skills are not attained by getting A* in exams.... i feel that today's kids are not gonna be successful just because they score A, but it is that creativity, flexibility and probem solving skills that are probably more important for them in their life & career.
just my humble opinion.
Cheers!Mathematically Speaking:
Hi all,
I have practiced the methods used by Verdic. It is an advanced form of mental calculations. It is actually similar to the abacus, just presented in a different way. Vedic Math by itself, like the abacus, does not teach the concept of numbers. It only provides the answers.
If you like your child to possess such mental prowess, by all means go ahead. The ability for complex mental sums is while useful, is not essential.
The drawback of the Vedic method is that the child has to remember the particular situation to apply a particular rule. I am not convinced this results in less mental work then using the normal methods, at the primary level.
PSLE has shifted away from raw mental ability via the introduction of calculators at P5. While good number sense is important, it is no longer the standard for an A*. -
Hi Candy,
I agree with you that scoring A* is not the ultimate goal in life. My apologies if my post has led to that conclusion
On Verdic vs the abacus: the mechanics at how each arrive at the answer may be different but both require the child to memorise mechanical rules to solve the mathematical sum.
Developing mental skills of creativity, flexibility and problem solving requires the application of a procedure (whether abacus or Vedic) to a particular situation. More importantly, the situation must be unfamiliar. A familiar situation is simply drill and practice.
For example, a child at P1 may learn how to add numbers up to 20. A verification of the addition skills is not scoring full marks in a test but having the child solve a 3 X 3 magic square.
What’s your take? -
kiasiparent:
Thanks for the link. It is very cool. I have always used a calculator to multiply and after taking a few minutes to run through this tutorial I am amazed how quickly I can multply numbers over a hundred--without a calculator.Vedic maths use an unorthodox way of teaching. Not recommended.
http://www.vedicmaths.org/introduction/Tutorial/Tutorial.asp#tutorial2
Just look at this tutorial. 7 x 8 = 56 has now become so complicated.
It may be unorthodox but it is grrreat! Besides, although it \"feels like\" a trick it seems to be simply based on the distance numbers are from powers of ten. -
Hi Mathematically Speaking,
Sorry for the delayed response, been so busy!!
I too agree with you that whichever method a child applies, there are rules to memorize and to that extent, we cannot avoid the fact that practise makes perfect...
moving onto the part of flexibility, i apologise that maybe my explanation wasn't too clear when i made the comparison between abacus and vedic math. maybe i can use one example that i heard from mathmonkey..
typically our kids would memorize upto 12x12.. and in an exam, they would be given a question such as 16 x 5=? which they did not memorize, and would use the vertical method of mulitplying 5x6 and 5 x 10 and adding them...
what vedic math teaches them in terms of flexibility is to realise that we can actually halve the 16 ->8 and double 5->10. and as a result, the question of 16x5 becomes as simple as 8x10 = 80!
to me such a method seems much better than the traditional vertical method, as i feel that the child are trained to have much better sense and understanding of numbers, and by being able to convert complicated sums into easier ones, it removes that fear most students face with the increrasingly complicated questions these days.
and probably when they are that flexible with numbers, i think when they face problem sums, they would have that flexibility to think of the solution from different angles, other than just the single method they learn in school. at least if they get stuck, he should be able to try another method?
not sure if the above helps to clarify what i'm trying to explain...Mathematically Speaking:
Hi Candy,
I agree with you that scoring A* is not the ultimate goal in life. My apologies if my post has led to that conclusion
On Verdic vs the abacus: the mechanics at how each arrive at the answer may be different but both require the child to memorise mechanical rules to solve the mathematical sum.
Developing mental skills of creativity, flexibility and problem solving requires the application of a procedure (whether abacus or Vedic) to a particular situation. More importantly, the situation must be unfamiliar. A familiar situation is simply drill and practice.
For example, a child at P1 may learn how to add numbers up to 20. A verification of the addition skills is not scoring full marks in a test but having the child solve a 3 X 3 magic square.
What's your take? -
Hi Candy,
your example is excellent! In terms of number flexibility, that is definitely the way to go.
Encouraging the child to solve via different methods is a good thing only if the child can thoroughly understand the advantages and disadvantages of both methods.
Perhaps what we are both driving at is simply this:
To be a master of one with knowledge of some!
Cheers,
M.S. -
Hi M.S,
Yes totally agree with you and glad that we are talking along the same line! i guess all parents like us concerns for our kids maths is neverending…
Math Monkey seems to be doing very well and i see increasing number of students recently. the energy created in class with all the enthusiastic children is great to see and to know that they are learning while enjoying themselves is something that is very fresh to me…
that MATH CAN BE FUN for all kids!
I guess strong kids already enjoy math, and that i was thinking this program would be more for the weaker kids who do not like math…
however, i heard that because mathmonkey classes are based on mathematical ability rather than age, therefore it seems like it is popular with parents who sees potential in their kids, but at the same time do not want their boys/galz to be stressed just becos they are learning something beyond their level!
M.S, maybe you should check mathmonkey out too!
Cheers,
Candy -
Here is the website which have more information about different techniques used in increasing speed and accuracy of maths.
http://www.astrarka.com/index.html -
kiasiparent:
Wah! Looking at the method looks complicated leh. Come to think of it, my hubby has been using that in his uni days. No wonder looks so similar.Vedic maths use an unorthodox way of teaching. Not recommended.
http://www.vedicmaths.org/introduction/Tutorial/Tutorial.asp#tutorial2
Just look at this tutorial. 7 x 8 = 56 has now become so complicated. It may end up confusing the child. Unless you are absolutely sure your child wont get confused, better dont sign up.
I am wondering whether primary school kids will be confuse between this method vs the conventional method? Scare it will complicate the matters instead of helping them. :?
Anyone has any thoughts to this? -
Hi all, for potentially interested parents who might be thinking about Math Monkey, maybe during the Sep holidays you may consider to sign them up for mathmonkey’s holiday camp.
I saw their flyer this week and they are focusing on problem sums for P3~ p6.
don’t remember the exact dates but parents may want to check it out as a trial?
Cheers~
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