Nokia Mobile introduces mathematics on MXit (22 February 2010); Eastern Cape Department of Education

Nokia Mobile introduces mathematics on MXit

Posted on Monday, 22 February 2010
Article by Nomava Mpunga

A ground breaking initiative by Nokia and the South African Government to get learners interested in Mathematics has been launched by the Eastern Cape Department of Education in six schools provincially. The new approach to lure these learners to Mathematics studies includes mobile cellphones which are nowadays frequently used by almost everyone.

Nokia Mobile together with the South African Government, MXit and Pearson have partnered in this project which is now called Imfundo yam/yethu. KwaKomani Comprehensive School, Gill College, JS Skenjana High School, Kanise High School, George Mqalo High School and Victoria Girls High School from the Province are among the schools which have been chosen to take part in the project.

The project according to Henry Kavuma who is the Chief Education Specialist for Tele-Collaborate learning is piloted in 30 schools around the country.

He said that the project which allows Grade 10 learners to access Mathematics content and assessment exercises via MXit software on their mobile phones will be a grate success because learners nowadays spend hours of their free time on programmes like MXit.

“Each school from the 30 that were chosen has been provided with a kit which includes 10 mobile phones and training. The success of this project in these six schools will see it being rolled out in the entire province”, concluded Kavuma.

Criteria for schools

FACT BOX:

GPRS network coverage
Computer with internet connection for math teachers
Most pupils should have access to GPRS enable phone
Schools need to have a way to provide access to GPRS phone for those who do not have own phones. (Should Nokia or/and government provide 5 phones per school? Equity issue. Learners should have own sim-cards).
Teachers have basic ICT skills (e-mail, Word, Excel....)
More than one math teacher in Grade 10 per school.
More than one grade 10 class in each school
Principal's support and Teacher's willingness
Focus mainly on Quintile 3 schools

Article Tags: Nokia, MXit

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Posted by nana - 14:48 on 25 May 2010

it is a great way to learn through mixit mobile phone.this need to be taken seriosly because lot of students dont know maths and need to be teachen or help them with it.we must help each other as students so we could fullfil our dreams and achieve our goals.

Posted by uhuru - 12:15 on 09 March 2010

this is an innovative education strategy. i've always maintained that technology should be exploited to the fullest. Way to go.

Posted by education student - 12:42 on 02 March 2010

the initiative is brilliant but it needs to be monitored!

Posted by educator - 10:32 on 25 February 2010

I feel this is a positive & exciting initiative, where a common device (cellphone) & platform (MXit) can be harnessed to support learning anytime, anywhere by our learners. Particularly for a key subject like Math.

Posted by mamase mila - 15:42 on 23 February 2010

i think this is the worse thing coz hw wil we knw tht the students focuses on this maths and wht abt those who dn't use mixit i think this project is nt rigth bt thy cn try it but i dn't support it mna