The Best Way to Teach Maths with Simon Holderness

As part of our ongoing commitment to support and empower educators, Advantage Learn recently hosted another insightful webinar in our Neo Series for Maths educators. This time, we were privileged to welcome Simon Holderness, Deputy Head of Pupil Affairs, at the prestigious Diocesan School for Girls in Grahamstown. The session focused on the best way to teach Maths, with innovative strategies for Mathematics teachers to engage students.

Engaging Students with Software for Teaching Maths

Simon began by sharing his personal journey and the pivotal moment that led to his innovative teaching approach. He recounted a time when he almost fell asleep during his own lesson while teaching the distributive law, realising that if he was bored, his students likely were too. This epiphany drove him to explore the best way to teach Maths and make it more engaging and relevant.

One of the key strategies Simon discussed was the integration of technology and software for teaching Maths in the classroom. He shared a project where students were tasked with building an app to explain the nature of roots by sketching a parabola and linking it to the discriminant. This hands-on approach using software for teaching Maths not only made the lesson more interactive but also helped students develop practical skills to create meaningful mathematical models.

The Six Phases of Building an Engaging Maths App

Simon outlined the six phases of this project, providing a step-by-step guide that Mathematics teachers could easily implement in their own classrooms:

• Creating X Values: Students start by generating a column of X values in Excel, learning to use formulas to manipulate data.
• Generating Y Values: Next, they apply calculations to generate corresponding Y values, reinforcing their understanding of Mathematical functions.
• Graphing Data: Using Excel’s graphing tools, students create scatter plots to represent their data visually, making abstract concepts tangible.
• Introducing If-Then Statements: This phase involves teaching logical thinking through if-then statements, a powerful tool for problem-solving.
• Designing the App Interface: Encouraging creativity, students design the look and feel of their app, learning to make their projects both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
• Using Scrollbars for Interactivity: Finally, Simon introduced scrollbars in Excel, adding an interactive element that allows students to see real-time changes in their graphs as they adjust parameters.

Real-World Applications and Student Engagement

Simon emphasised the importance of making lessons relevant to the real world. By involving students in the creation of apps, they not only learn Mathematical concepts but also develop skills in coding, design, and critical thinking. This approach is the best way to teach Maths, transforming the classroom into a dynamic environment where students are eager to arrive early and stay late, fully engaged in their learning journey.

Online Maths Classes and a Collaborative Learning Community

The Neo Series webinars aim to create a space for knowledge sharing and professional development among Mathematics teachers in South Africa. By bringing together experienced minds in the field, we hope to inspire and equip educators with innovative strategies to enhance their teaching practices. Our latest Neo Series webinar was a resounding success, leaving attendees inspired and equipped with practical tools to make their Maths lessons more engaging and effective!

Watch the recording of our webinar below:

Connecting with Advantage Learn

At Advantage Learn, we remain committed to supporting educators by providing valuable resources and opportunities for growth. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of our students, one lesson at a time. Interested in learning more about our offering and software for teaching Maths? Visit our website or Reach out to our team today!