Dr Math, a mobile mathematics tutoring programme developed by the CSIR Meraka Institute, received a Technology in Government in Africa (TIGA) award in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, last month.
United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, in collaboration with the government of Finland, selected Dr Math as a winner in the category 'ICT in Education'.
CSIR researcher Laurie Butgereit is the brains behind the development of Dr Math. Through Dr Math, learners have access to a group of registered tutors who are online on computers to receive requests for help via MXit, a popular chat service.
“Learners put through requests using MXit and receive responses via MXit. A flow management system ensures that requests are distributed to tutors who are available to help. The emphasis is on imparting skills rather than supplying answers,” she says.
The biannual TIGA awards celebrate African governments' commitment to e-government to ensure digital interactions with their citizens in the form of government-to-citizens; government-to-business or between government agencies.
The concept of TIGA is premised on the Economic Commission of Africa-led African Information Society Initiative framework to build Africa's information and communications capacity for development.
Funding from the Department of Science and Technology, and collaboration as well as support from the Department of Basic Education and MXit, has been instrumental to the success of Dr Math, the CSIR says.
Dr Math is part of the HP Catalyst 'New Learner' consortium, and the tutors are drawn primarily from the University of Pretoria.
On a yearly basis, more than 30 students sign up for this project. Their feedback is always very positive, for example, “it was an awesome experience, but requires nerves of steel and a lot of compassion” and “it was nice to see school students willing to spend time at home and on weekends to finish their work”, the Meraka institute explains.
Tutors also come from the African Institute of Mathematical Sciences (AIMS), a centre for education and research in Cape Town.
AIMS works to promote mathematics and science in Africa, recruit and train talented students and teachers, and build capacity for African initiatives in education, research, and technology.
Dr Barrie Barnard says: “AIMS is proud to be associated with Dr Math through the participation of some of our current post-graduate diploma students who volunteered their time to answer pupils' questions.
“This opportunity provided them with valuable teaching experience as well as introducing them to an innovative use of technology for educational purposes.”
Interactions with learners using Dr Math are defined by a code of conduct, and tutors also sign an informed consent before they receive a manual to assist them in carrying out their duties.
Questions received from learners range from finding explanations for basic definitions to calls for help on how to solve problems. “We encourage tutors to teach methods, rather than supplying the answer,” says Butgereit.
Students can subscribe to Dr Math by sending a MXit contact request to 079 992 3962. If they use Google Talk or any open source Jabber server, the contact details are dr.math.rsa@gmail.com.
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