Mathematics is a language of science, and its understanding is paramount to any nation that
desires growth and development in the 21st century that is technologically driven. Practical
The mathematical approach in the mathematics laboratory is a panacea and cure to the demonstrated mathematics phobia by many students in class.
Mathematics is the study of numbers, set of points and various abstract elements together
with relation between them and operations performed on them. Mathematics goes beyond
formula. It gives reasonable explanation to what, how and why, so as to invoke logical
thinking that enables one understands how formulas are derived as well as their
applications
Utilitarian functions: It is useful in everyday life. It serves as a functional
tool in studying individual’s everyday problems; it is useful as a tool to other
discipline, that is, it serves as a handmaiden for explanation of quantitative
situations in other subjects such as economics, physics, navigation, finance,
biology and even the arts. This service of Mathematics is exceedingly important
to future scientists, engineers, technologists, technicians and skilled mechanics;
it is useful for national income and budgeting and useful for laying foundation
for further education.
(2) Cultural functions: It is useful for calculation in local languages and useful for naming objects.
(3) Social functions: It is useful in voting, games and lotteries, birth and death rates and population census, and
(4) Personal functions: It encourages correct or accurate thinking, allows for
Cooperation with others to achieve common goals, allows for character building
(patience, persistent and perseverance) and remarkably, it makes one to be happy.
Mathematics Laboratory
Mathematics laboratory is a space or room set aside for mathematical experiments and
practical activities. It is an organized setting where children work in an informal manner,
move around, discuss, choose their materials and method, and generally make and
discover mathematical facts for themselves.
mathematics laboratory is a place where students can learn and explore
mathematical concepts and verify mathematical facts and theorems through a variety of
activities using different materials.
- Objective of a mathematics Lab:
- To inculcate permanent numeracy in the students.
- To make mathematics learning very meaningful to the students.
- To lay a sound basis for scientific and reflective thinking among the students.
- To make mathematics learning exciting and enjoyable to the students.
- To enable students to comprehend and internalize mathematical knowledge.
- To generate interest in mathematics and provide solid foundation or background
in mathematics learning.
- To stimulate and encourage creativity among the students.
- To equip the students to live effectively in our modern age of science and
technology.
- To bridge the long gap between mathematical abstracts/theory and
concrete/practical.
- To provide readily accessible rich manipulative materials to emphasize on
learning by doing.
- To develop an attitude of enquiry.
- To remove the weakness of present day mathematics education.
- To generate interest in the subject.
- To make the students divergent thinkers.
- It provides a means of practicing cognitive and psychomotor skills.
Skills Acquired in Mathematics Laboratory
Generally, the following skills are expected to be developed in the students in their
mathematics laboratory exposure:
- The ability to plan an experiment and analyze a mathematical problem into its
components parts.
- The ability to carry out an experiment/improvisation or demonstration.
- The ability to interpret the result of experiment/improvisation and draw a
possible conclusion.
In order to achieve the general skills, the following are the specific mathematical skills
inculcated in the students during mathematics laboratory practice:
- Observation. 2. Formulating hypothesis.
- Measuring. 4. Classification.
- Making operational definition. 6. Manipulating instruments.
- Counting. 8. Formulating mathematical models.
- Communicating. 10. Manipulating variables.
- Experimenting. 12. Predicting.
- Questioning. 14. Drawing conclusions.
Mathematics Laboratory Equipment
The following have been identified as necessary kits that should be made ready in a
standard mathematics laboratory. They could be bought from mathematical instructional
resources manufacturing companies known for accuracy and precision, or be
meticulously constructed by the students and teachers within a period of time.
- Geometry shapes 2. Fraction kits
- Identity kits 4. Geometry geo board
- Geometry geo sticks 6. Geometry manipulative kits
- Geometry 2-D kits 8. Geometry 3-D kits
- Measurement kits 10. Number and block kits
- Pattern and block kits 12. Place value kits
- Sort kits 14. Time kits
- Trigonometry kits 16. Data and finance kits
- Cubes kits 18. Counting kits
- Board game kits 20. Laminated board game
- Mathematics Laboratory rules:
- Do not work in the mathematics laboratory unless you are supervised or permitted.
- Do not remove anything from the mathematics laboratory unless you are permitted to do so by the math teacher, and must be returned immediately after use.
- Report all faults, damages, injuries or accidents to the mathematics teacher.
- Do not run or rush into the mathematics laboratory.
- Follow all directions or instructions the way they are stated.
Conclusion and Recommendations
Mathematics teaching in 21st century is expected to facilitate and achieve all-round
learning of mathematical knowledge and skills in learners, but this will not be achieved
without exposure of learners to mathematics laboratory experiences. Skills that are
acquired by learners through mathematics laboratory exposure cannot be
overemphasized, and no learner should be denied such great virtues in this era.
