Thumb Tribe Tackles Maths

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Thumb Tribe Tackles Maths

Laurie Butgereit

Meraka Institute

South Africa



Laurie Butgereit

Meraka Institute

South Africa



Laurie Butgereit

Meraka Institute

South Africa



Laurie Butgereit

Meraka Institute

South Africa



Laurie Butgereit

Meraka Institute

South Africa



Laurie Butgereit

Meraka Institute

South Africa

Enticing pupils to practice basic mathematics skills using Mxit on their

cell phones


Basic Mathematics Skills !&*#$%&*@#%



South Africa is doing poorly in Mathematics Education





























The thumb tribe is everywhere








The thumb tribe is growing








The thumb tribe is getting younger and younger








Africa


Africa


Africa


Africa


Africa


Mxit


Mxit

• South African company


Mxit

• South African company • Instant messaging over cells

phones


Mxit


phones• Over 7 million users


Mxit


phones• Over 7 million users• 45% are teenagers


Mxit


phones• Over 7 million users• 45% are teenagers• Software is free


Mxit


phones• Over 7 million users• 45% are teenagers• Software is free• Cheap, cheap, cheap

messaging system


Mxit



messaging system• “Kewl”


Mxit



messaging system• “Kewl”


Research Objectives


Research Objectives

• How can we entice the thumb tribe to practice basic mathematics skills?


Research Objectives


• Could cell phones be used to attract the thumb tribe to practice mathematics skills?


Research Objectives



• Could Mxit be used to entice the thumb tribe to practice their multiplication tables?


Research Objectives




• Would the thumb tribe compete at mathematics skills competitions over Mxit on cell phones?


Research Objectives





• Would we need an incentive (such as airtime prizes) or would the thumb tribe compete for the glory of having their alias published over Mxit?


Research Objectives





• Would we need an incentive (such as airtime prizes) or would the thumb tribe compete for the glory of having their alias published over Mxit?


Research approach, Methodology



• We had an existing “Dr Math” facility running under Mxit since January, 2007




• Over the Christmas holiday break of 2007-2008 we added a simple addition competition





• The competition ran at the same contact number as “Dr Math”






• The thumb tribe found it within a day and started competing






• The thumb tribe found it within a day and started competing


What we did


What we did


What we did


What we did


What we did


What we did


Sample Competition

2008-05-18 21:19:27,057 POET....:

2008-05-18 21:19:27,060 Bot -> POET....: The current TopScore is it's about time with 100%. To clear your score and start over send .i with nothing after it. TopScores are updated after 10 questions. What is the ROOT (X-intercept) of the straight line y=8x -88 Be sure to use negative signs when needed.

2008-05-18 21:21:27,212 POET....: 11

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2008-05-18 21:24:07,432 Gorgeous-1:

2008-05-18 21:24:07,435 Bot -> Gorgeous-1: The current TopScore is it's about time with 100%. To clear your score and start over send .i with nothing after it. TopScores are updated after 10 questions. What is the ROOT (X-intercept) of the straight line y=6x -36 Be sure to use negative signs when needed.

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2008-05-18 23:19:11,241 Lindz:

2008-05-18 23:19:11,248 Bot -> Lindz: The current TopScore is it's about time with 100%. To clear your score and start over send .i with nothing after it. TopScores are updated after 10 questions. What is the ROOT (X-intercept) of the straight line y=-2x -18 Be sure to use negative signs when needed.

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2008-05-18 23:23:02,766 it's about time:

2008-05-18 23:25:42,872 Bot -> it's about time: Correct. Your score is 1 correct out of 1 or 100%. it's about time is still the TopScore . What is the ROOT (X-intercept) of the straight line y=6x +42 Be sure to use negative signs when needed.

2008-05-18 23:26:22,891 it's about time: -7

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2008-05-18 23:34:43,151 Bot -> it's about time: Correct. Your score is 10 correct out of 10 or 100%. Congratulations. You are the new TopScore. What is the ROOT (X-intercept) of the straight line y=9x +81 Be sure to use negative signs when needed.

(NB: 2008-05-28 is a Sunday)


Sample Competition

2008-05-18 21:19:27,057 POET....:


2008-05-18 21:21:27,212 POET....: 11

-----------

2008-05-18 21:24:07,432 Gorgeous-1:


-----------

2008-05-18 23:19:11,241 Lindz:


-----------

2008-05-18 23:23:02,766 it's about time:


2008-05-18 23:26:22,891 it's about time: -7

-----------


(NB: 2008-05-28 is a Sunday)


Sample Competition

2008-05-18 21:19:27,057 POET....:


2008-05-18 21:21:27,212 POET....: 11

-----------

2008-05-18 21:24:07,432 Gorgeous-1:


-----------

2008-05-18 23:19:11,241 Lindz:


-----------

2008-05-18 23:23:02,766 it's about time:


2008-05-18 23:26:22,891 it's about time: -7

-----------


(NB: 2008-05-28 is a Sunday)


Sample Competition

2008-05-18 21:19:27,057 POET....:


2008-05-18 21:21:27,212 POET....: 11

-----------

2008-05-18 21:24:07,432 Gorgeous-1:


-----------

2008-05-18 23:19:11,241 Lindz:


-----------

2008-05-18 23:23:02,766 it's about time:


2008-05-18 23:26:22,891 it's about time: -7

-----------


(NB: 2008-05-28 is a Sunday)


Sample Competition

2008-05-18 21:19:27,057 POET....:


2008-05-18 21:21:27,212 POET....: 11

-----------

2008-05-18 21:24:07,432 Gorgeous-1:


-----------

2008-05-18 23:19:11,241 Lindz:


-----------

2008-05-18 23:23:02,766 it's about time:


2008-05-18 23:26:22,891 it's about time: -7

-----------


(NB: 2008-05-28 is a Sunday)


Sample Competition

2008-05-18 21:19:27,057 POET....:


2008-05-18 21:21:27,212 POET....: 11

-----------

2008-05-18 21:24:07,432 Gorgeous-1:


-----------

2008-05-18 23:19:11,241 Lindz:


-----------

2008-05-18 23:23:02,766 it's about time:


2008-05-18 23:26:22,891 it's about time: -7

-----------


(NB: 2008-05-28 is a Sunday)


Sample Competition


Sample Competition


Sample Competition


Sample Competition


Sample Competition


Sample Competition


Rules for Competitions



• New participant gets the current TopScore name and score



• New participant gets the current TopScore name and score• Participant receives a problem



• New participant gets the current TopScore name and score• Participant receives a problem• Participant replies



• New participant gets the current TopScore name and score• Participant receives a problem• Participant replies• After ten replies, the participant has the opportunity to

become the TopScore




become the TopScore• The “old” TopScore is invited back to defend the title




become the TopScore• The “old” TopScore is invited back to defend the title• The upper limit of the numbers starts at 12 but as a person

remains TopScore the upper limit increases




become the TopScore• The “old” TopScore is invited back to defend the title• The upper limit of the numbers starts at 12 but as a person

remains TopScore the upper limit increases


Types of Competitions



• Addition• Subtraction• Multiplication• Division• Prime Factors• Root of a Straight Line• Intersection 2 straight lines• Real factors of a quadratic• Real roots of a quadratic

• 504• 158• 262• 113• 123• 129• 137• 90• 118




• 504• 158• 262• 113• 123• 129• 137• 90• 118




• 504• 158• 262• 113• 123• 129• 137• 90• 118




• 504• 158• 262• 113• 123• 129• 137• 90• 118




• 504• 158• 262• 113• 123• 129• 137• 90• 118




• 504• 158• 262• 113• 123• 129• 137• 90• 118




• 504• 158• 262• 113• 123• 129• 137• 90• 118




• 504• 158• 262• 113• 123• 129• 137• 90• 118




• 504• 158• 262• 113• 123• 129• 137• 90• 118




• 504• 158• 262• 113• 123• 129• 137• 90• 118


Success in Mathematics benefits Social Behaviour



2008-04-08 17:28:12,854 PIMP(*)STAR:

2008-04-08 17:28:12,917 Bot -> PIMP(*)STAR: The current TopScore is einstein's mother with 100%. To clear your score and start over send .z with nothing after it. TopScores are updated after 10 questions. What are the FACTORS of the polynomial x^2 +10x +24 Write the factors in the form .z x+3 x-7 with one space between the factors.

2008-04-08 17:28:53,099 PIMP(*)STAR: x+4 x+6

2008-04-08 17:28:53,108 Bot -> PIMP(*)STAR: Correct. Your score is 1 correct out of 1 or 100%. The current TopScore is einstein's mother with 100%. What are the FACTORS of the polynomial x^2 +8x -9 Write the factors in the form .z x+3 x-7 with one space between the factors.

2008-04-08 17:29:33,177 PIMP(*)STAR: x+1 x-9

2008-04-08 17:29:33,269 Bot -> PIMP(*)STAR: Wrong. The factors are x-1 and x+9. Your score is 1 correct out of 2 or 50%. The current TopScore is einstein's mother with 100%. What are the FACTORS of the polynomial x^2 +13x +36 Write the factors in the form .z x+3 x-7 with one space between the factors.

------------

2008-04-08 17:39:16,558 Bot -> PIMP(*)STAR: Correct. Your score is 10 correct out of 10 or 100%. Congratulations. You are the new TopScore. What are the FACTORS of the polynomial x^2 -5x -50 Write the factors in the form .z x+3 x-7 with one space between the factors.

-----------


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2008-04-08 22:52:43,546 Bot -> PIMP(*)STAR: We currently know you as PIMP(*)STAR. Send us a .n followed by the new name you want on our system.

2008-04-08 22:54:23,600 PIMP(*)STAR: Qun of maths

2008-04-08 22:54:23,613 Bot -> Qun of maths: We have changed your name to Qun of maths on our system.

2008-04-08 22:55:23,648 Qun of maths:

2008-04-08 22:55:23,649 Bot -> Qun of maths: We currently know you as Qun of maths. Send us a .n followed by the new name you want on our system.

2008-04-08 22:56:03,676 Qun of maths: smartyCAT

2008-04-08 22:56:03,684 Bot -> smartyCAT: We have changed your name to smartyCAT on our system.



2008-04-08 17:28:12,854 PIMP(*)STAR:


2008-04-08 17:28:53,099 PIMP(*)STAR: x+4 x+6


2008-04-08 17:29:33,177 PIMP(*)STAR: x+1 x-9


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-----------


-----------




2008-04-08 22:55:23,648 Qun of maths:






2008-04-08 17:28:12,854 PIMP(*)STAR:


2008-04-08 17:28:53,099 PIMP(*)STAR: x+4 x+6


2008-04-08 17:29:33,177 PIMP(*)STAR: x+1 x-9


------------


-----------


-----------




2008-04-08 22:55:23,648 Qun of maths:






2008-04-08 17:28:12,854 PIMP(*)STAR:


2008-04-08 17:28:53,099 PIMP(*)STAR: x+4 x+6


2008-04-08 17:29:33,177 PIMP(*)STAR: x+1 x-9


------------


-----------


-----------




2008-04-08 22:55:23,648 Qun of maths:






2008-04-08 17:28:12,854 PIMP(*)STAR:


2008-04-08 17:28:53,099 PIMP(*)STAR: x+4 x+6


2008-04-08 17:29:33,177 PIMP(*)STAR: x+1 x-9


------------


-----------


-----------




2008-04-08 22:55:23,648 Qun of maths:






2008-04-08 17:28:12,854 PIMP(*)STAR:


2008-04-08 17:28:53,099 PIMP(*)STAR: x+4 x+6


2008-04-08 17:29:33,177 PIMP(*)STAR: x+1 x-9


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-----------


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2008-04-08 22:55:23,648 Qun of maths:





Is Mxit safe?


Is Mxit safe?


Is Mxit safe?


Ethics


Ethics

• Approval from the Tshwane University of Technology Ethics Committee


Ethics


• We collect no personal information about the participants


Ethics


• We collect no personal information about the participants• We protect all cell phone numbers


Ethics


• We collect no personal information about the participants• We protect all cell phone numbers• Humans who come in contact with our system must sign an

agreement/code of conduct about handling cell phone numbers


Ethics




• We repeatedly tell participants not to give any personal details to our system


Ethics





• We record all conversations


Ethics





• We record all conversations• We monitor all conversations


Ethics





• We record all conversations• We monitor all conversations


Are these safeguards necessary?



• One of the participants in the addition competition does more than one hundred addition sums in one sitting




• He or she plays 4 or 5 times per week




• He or she plays 4 or 5 times per week• Sometimes he or she plays multiple times per day




• He or she plays 4 or 5 times per week• Sometimes he or she plays multiple times per day• How old do you think he or she is to feel challenged doing

hundreds of addition sums?





hundreds of addition sums?• And the sad state of affairs is that this participant goes by the

name of GODDESS OF LOVE





hundreds of addition sums?• And the sad state of affairs is that this participant goes by the

name of GODDESS OF LOVE


Conclusion and outlook

If you want to reach children and teenagers with good educational content

Use the medium of communication which they love

Their cell phones!





Their cell phones!





Their cell phones!


Credit, Questions, and Suggestions

• Cayusa (young girl with geometry worksheet)

• The magnificient emotion Blogger (girl in pink rubbing eyes)

• Scot Abelman (girl holding her red hair)

• Sister Photographer (exasperated girl

• covering face)

• Thetorpedodog (boy studying at desk)

• Ktylerconk (girl writing outside at table)

• Billt (3 teenagers at table with laptop)

• Amelia e la mela (mother and daughter doing homework)

• Angelsk (girl with dark hair)

• Alan Gee (screaming little girl with dark hair)

• Big Diesel (two people on the beach)

• Yeweni (with balloons)

• Withgalen (texting on a wooden walkway)

• Timmo (single person on beach)

• bg_os (Israeli soldier)

• Rob7812 (policement texting)

• Laura Musselman (santa claus)

• Jsarcadia (broken finger)

• Wka (baby with cell phone)

• we_she_me (baby with cell phone)

• Liberian (toddler with cell phone)

• Krypto (monkey)

• Future atlas (yellow taxi and solar charge)

• April lynn (phone kiosk)

• Heydee (boy in rural settlement)

• Mark kelly (traditional african dress)

Documents

Thumb Tribe Tackles Maths