Mathecomicon comic book on math - concept note

Concept Note

The National Curricular Framework for Mathematics, strongly asserts that students learn mathematics well only when they construct their own mathematical thinking. Information can be transmitted from one person to another but mathematical understanding and knowledge come from within the learner as that individual explores, discovers, and makes connections.
This comic book is an   endeavour to  redirect mathematics instruction from a focus on delivering the content   to a focus on active participation and involvement.
 Mathematics instructors do not simply deliver content; rather, they facilitate learners’ construction of their own knowledge of mathematics

This book contains comic strips created by students using on line tools  which have  actively engaged students in mathematical explorations. It provided them the opportunity to examine and learn mathematics in a meaningful way. It also  provides the instructor with the resources to make students understand real life application of abstract concepts of mathematics. Students experience mathematics directly by creating  comic strips that embody concepts and promote mathematical thinking. This book represents the belief that

1.A concrete approach diminishes the mathematical anxiety often accompanying a more abstract concept.

2.   Visual approach provide mental images that can be easily retained to provide understanding for symbolic representations.

Here are the special features of this book.

1.Active Learning Each comic strip provides  visual models to provide a context for understanding. The scenes are  set are sequentially  to encourage discovery and active engagement of learner,.

2. Cooperative Learning The comic strips have been created in small groups. In particular , it was designed for small-group interaction during script writing and story board making .

3. Individual Reflections Throughout the comic book, learners are encouraged to observe and to describe patterns, analyse their thinking, and give suitable  explanations of their reasoning. While designing the book students  reflected  at  every step of story board making to ascertain  a logical sequence of events.

4.Pedagogy The comic book demonstrates that  visual and kinaesthetic  models can be used in  teaching of mathematics in classrooms to promote conceptual understanding and mathematical thinking and make it relevant to real life of learners.

This book is a step in stride for greater  experimentation in pedagogy to make it more experiential  and enriching ,