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Mathematics library

Mathematics library is one of the important sources of acquiring mathematics knowledge and skills. It serves the purpose of inculcating good reading and study habits which help in promoting self study and independent work among students, with the advent of information technology and cyber, there is a growing decline in the reading of books. The different types of problems and approaches available in different books help the students in developing their problem-solving ability and adopting different problem solving, thus making them more open minded and independent. Classroom teaching may leave many gaps. A good library provides opportunities for filling up the gaps removing the doubts.

Need

Even though there is a general library with a separate section for mathematics department in every situation, it is necessary to have a separate library for mathematics for the following reasons.

A mathematics library provides immediate access to the necessary mathematics books.

It facilitates timely use of the books and inculcates reference skills. It provides mathematics teacher with an important role in the selection

of relevant books for the mathematics library. It promotes efficiency in organization of library services. It provides a sense of separate identity to mathematics and helps to

motivate the students to learn mathematics with genuine interest.

Importance

It helps future reading. It develops the healthy hobby of reading. Habit of self study and self education can be developed. Students can improve their knowledge by reading general books,

magazines. It helps to supplement the knowledge learned in classroom.

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The teachers can give specific assignments and suggested book for reference.

It helps in developing in reference skills necessary for higher education.

Organisation Mathematics library there should be a good collection of useful boos in mathematics. The teacher should be responsible for making a wise selection of books. The library should be attractive and should provide an atmosphere for reading. It can be decorated with visual aids and pictures of mathematicians, charts and posters about the contributions, information on historical developments of certain mathematical concepts, theorems and so on. The seating arrangement must be comfortable to students. The books and material for a mathematics library can be collected and categorized under the following heads and can be arranged in different cabins and shelves.

Text books: For any subject the textbook is very important. These should be provision of all the textbooks related to mathematics for each class of the school according to prescribed syllabus.

General books :Books giving general information related to subject matter.

Reference books: These are books which meant for further studies. Table of constants, logarithms, dictionaries etc.

Practical books: Books which provide detailed information of experiments.

Sourcebooks :These should include books on methods and techniques of teaching. These are reference books for teachers to acquaint them innovative methods and techniques of teaching mathematics.

Mathematics magazines and journals: These are very important in mathematics library to develop among the students the thirst for knowledge of mathematics.

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The mathematics teacher should take up the responsibility for organizing the mathematics library and be in charge of such a library. Mathematics library can be situated in a large classroom or in a separate section in the mathematics laboratory. The effective use of the library can be ensured by allotting a separate period in the timetable for library work especially in higher classes the mathematics teacher should motivate the students to use library time more productively.

Mathematics laboratory

It is true that 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.

The mathematics laboratory provides an opportunity for individualized instructions, introduction to the use of computers and calculators etc. It is a setting within which students can develop their independent study programmes. The literal meaning of the word laboratory is a room where a group of pupils learns the subject actually performing experiments. It is a demonstration of the concept of an activity oriented mathematics programme. Now a days laboratory approach to mathematics instruction in being used effectively in many schools. Activities such as measuring, drawing, collection of data, classifying data, working with data and so on.

To be productive the activities must be carefully planned, supervised and guided towards definite goals. Responsibility of work and success, effectiveness rests upon mathematics teacher. The activities involved in laboratory type work in mathematics fall broadly into two classes, namely demonstration and experimental activities. However two categories are not mutually exclusive. In demonstration, some physical instrument is used to illustrate and clarify the explanation of concept.

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Materials and equipments for mathematics laboratory

Concrete materials : the mathematics lab should contain materials such as beads, pebbles, sticks, ball frames, balance, weights, measuring tapes, pin, board, graph paper etc which are very helpful for demonstrating elementary mathematical concepts.

Pictures and chart : pictures and charts depicting different mathematical concepts should find a place in a lab. Pictures of mathematicians, carts showing the contributions of mathematicians, history are also very helpful in inspiring students and can be placed in the mathematical laboratory.

Models : various mathematical models which will offer opportunities for students to explore and investigate should be placed in the mathematical laboratory.

Bulletin board: there should be at least one bulletin board in the mathematical laboratory to display various illustrations concerning mathematics. Information relating to mathematics and its application collected from different sources like magazines, journals and newspapers can be displayed.

Blackboard: This helps in writing instructions, drawing geometrical figures and illustrations necessary for performing laboratory work.

Instrument required for mathematics laboratory

Drawing instruments : in mathematical library, the students are required to draw and sketch geometrical figures, graphs and so on. In every mathematical laboratory there should be a set of drawing instruments like compass, rulers, protractor etc. For this, the teachers to demonstrate the drawing on the black board and instrument bones for the students use. Stencils for drawing geometrical figures are also important tools in a mathematics laboratory.

Weighing and measuring instruments : mathematical laboratory work quite often involves the important activities

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of weighing and measuring. Therefore, instruments used for measuring and weighing such as measuring tapes, balance of different types, measuring jar and graduated cylinder should be there in a mathematical lab.

Surveying instruments : surveying is an important aspect of mathematics laboratory work. Laying out right angles, finding the angular distance, 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 mathematical laboratory.

Angle mirror for laying out angles in the field. Sextant for measuring

I. The angular distanceII. Angle of elevation and depression

III. The height of the objectIV. The width of a river etc.

Plane table and alidote for elementary mapping and surviving.

Clinometers for estimating theI. Angle of elevation

II. Heights of an object Transit for measuring the angular distance of two

objects. Level for finding differences in elevation.

Projected aids: projected aids like film projector, over head projector, slide projector, slide projector, epidiascope, Liquid Crystal Display should be arranged in the library.

Computing devices: Calculators- calculators are very helpful in doing

complex computations with greater speed and accuracy. It is smaller in size and lends them to systematic use over a long period. It may create a tendency to use more and this will lead to numerical

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ability of student. The concept of fluency and mathematical exploration should form the basis of the use of calculators.

Computer: a computer is an effective device for storing information, analysis and interpreting data. Therefore, it is desirable to have a computer in mathematical laboratory.

Importance of mathematics laboratory

Habit of critical thinking and logical reasoning can be developed.

Complex theoretical concepts can be made clear. Learning of subject matter can be given a practical

shape. Practical mindedness can be developed. Interest in learning mathematics can be developed. Bookish knowledge can be correlated with practically

with their daily life.

Functions of mathematics laboratory

The primary functions of a mathematics laboratory are to:

Make mathematics teaching and learning, interesting and purposeful for the students.

Enable students to develop proper skills in handling equipment and gadgets.

Providing activities that arouse the curiosity of the students and maintain their interest in learning.

Concrete the abstract mathematical concepts. Help the child develop the ability of keen

observation. Develop in pupils a positive attitude towards problem

solving.

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Mathematics club “The club represents freedom of expression whereas, the classroom represents conformity and repression “

The meeting place where a number of persons meet to discuss something or to study some problem is known as a club. Mathematics club plays an important role in motivating the student to learn mathematics with interest and involment. Sometimes mathematics teaching in classroom becomes so monotonous that the student become restless and get easily distracted. Club provides a lot of freedom of expression for the students and it supplements. The mathematical club will create among the student an idea of the practical utility of mathematics in addition to create their interest in mathematics. Also a number of programs can be organised under the auspices of a mathematics club

Need and importance

The value of a mathematics club may be summarised in the following points.

It inculcates the habit of self study and independent work among the students.

It supplements classroom learning. It acquaints the students with the contribution of great

mathematician in their fields. It stimulates individual interest and initiative in the study of

subject matter. It provides a less formal environment of study as compared

to usual classroom learning. It helps in developing heuristic and problem solving attitude

among students. It promotes the students with opportunities to develop

their explorative, creative and inventive faculties.

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It provides firsthand experience to the learners, as they participate in model making, arranging for exhibition, field work, and laboratory work and so on.

Functions

Organising recreational activities in mathematics such as games, quiz, puzzles, riddles etc.

Preparing mathematical aids and illustrations. Collecting and reading mathematical literature and

magazines. Organising mathematical competitions, seminars and career

talks related to mathematics. Organising programmes that necessitates extra reading and

study of mathematics. Celebrating days and events pertaining to eminent

mathematicians and history of mathematics. Arranging mathematical shows, exhibitions etc. Organising inter class and inter school competitions in

collaboration with other subjects club. Organising discussions about the practical application of

mathematics.

Organisation

A properly organised mathematics club goes a long way in stimulating interest among the students in mathematics. It should be run by the students under the supervision and guidance of the mathematics teacher. Emphasis should be on active participation of the members. A draft constitution of the club can be prepared by mathematics teacher, in consultation with the head master, to facilitate its smooth functioning.

All the students of mathematics should register as number of the club. The interested students of science and other allied subjects also may be allowed to become members.

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