TWA Teacher: Arularasi
When I knew that my application for the work attachment with HeyMath! was successful, I was ecstatic! I applied for it trusting that it would provide me with a varied perspective to education and educating. True enough, these last 9 days have completely lived up to my expectations.
I was initially assigned to write a script for Chain Rule, a sub-topic of Differentiation in Additional Mathematics. However, I was ultimately allocated Utility Bill from Elementary Mathematics, as there was a greater need to create an online lesson for that topic. Writing the script, gave me an opportunity to think about the lesson in-depth and how it could be delivered in an engaging, yet comprehensive manner. I managed to incorporate the NE component in the lesson. Seeing the script come alive with the animation was by far the most exciting part of this project! The HeyMath! staff were inspiring and very forthcoming with their help, support and assistance. They were also always willing to share and contribute their vast experiences and sound inputs.
I was given the opportunity to witness a Math Trail organised by HeyMath!. The trail was conducted at Dakshina Chitra, a heritage centre featuring the South Indian traditions. Students from Queenstown Secondary School, Lady Andal and Maruthi Matriculation School participated in this remarkable trail. The trail provided me with an insight of how our vast and colourful Indian tradition, and Math could be so intricately inter-woven, to provide for an exciting learning experience. This was a priceless takeaway for me.
During this attachment, I was given the chance to observe a lesson at P S Senior Secondary School. I observed a lesson on Parallelograms being taught to a class of students in Standard 8. Every student in the class displayed an enthusiasm to learn and a keenness to participate in class discussions. The quality of work produced by the students was also remarkable. The teachers in the school also willingly and kindly shared their teaching methods and pedagogies. I was especially intrigued by their Math lab activities which I would like to incorporate in my classes in Singapore.
Besides, as usual Chennai never failed to disappoint! Travelling around on my own and haggling with the auto rickshaw drivers were thrilling experiences for me. Needless to say, the shopping and food in Chennai was nothing short of ‘Awesomeness’!
This work attachment has been fantastic! I would do it all over again if I could! It has given me an insight of a new dimension to Math Education. All credit goes to HeyMath! for providing me with this enriching and fulfilling experience. I am eagerly looking forward to more of such collaborations. Thank you HeyMath!
