Yogyakarta – In a bid to transform the way mathematics is taught in junior high schools, a Regular Course on Joyful Learning in Mathematics Education has been organized since 2009 by SEAQiM. This course has been developed from year to year and adapted to current issues in mathematics education in Southeast Asia, offering educators innovative strategies to make mathematics a delightful experience for students. This year, 2023, conducted from 21 July to 1 September, and designed for junior high school mathematics teachers, this course seeks to infuse creativity, enthusiasm, and practicality into mathematics education. It carried innovative teaching strategies that aimed to make an engaging and enjoyable mathematics experience for both teachers and students.
Conducted virtually through Zoom, this two-week course spread knowledge by providing twenty-nine (29) teachers with diverse techniques and tools to make learning mathematics enjoyable. Collaborative learning about The Concept and Principles of Joyful Learning, Instructional Strategies and Approaches for Joyful Learning, and Differentiated Instructions in Mathematics Learning from the expert Prof. Allan Leslie White (University of Western Sydney), fostered teachers to delve into these principles to learn how to create interactive and exciting math lessons that captivate students’ attention. Problem-solving and Integrative STEM/STEAM Teaching and Learning from Dr. Scott Batholomew (Brigham Young University, Utah, USA) encouraged participants to develop mathematical skills and solve problems with STEM/STEAM approaches. Besides the facilitators from Universitas Negeri Semarang, Dr. rer. nat. Adi Nur Cahyono, and Mr. Afit Istiandaru from Universitas Ahmad Dahlan Yogyakarta, invited participants to explore more about Math-City Map Application as the essential of Outdoor Mathematics Learning. SEAQiM facilitators strengthen key principles that include engagement through play, real-world applications, exploration, collaboration, and technology integration. They explore hands-on activities, discover the relevance of math in everyday life, and embrace technology as a tool to enhance the learning experience.
At the end of the course, participants experienced the real teaching process at SMP N 8 Yogyakarta, conducted in hybrid mode where the SEAQiM team directly comes to the students or partner school, and the teachers/participants joined virtually via Zoom. Two (2) groups have been chosen to represent the participants in conducting real teaching. Mr. Nathanael Oktavianto from SMP Kristen Bina Kasih Indonesia and Ms. Euis Suwangsih from SMP Negeri 3 Rancabali were the model teachers selected to teach algebra topics. The students learned about algebraic expression using algebra tiles and other features provided by Desmos for students. This valuable experience lets the teachers design a joyful mathematics lesson plan to be implemented in the real mathematics classroom and disseminate it to their colleagues.
By installing a love for mathematics early on, educators are paving the way for a future generation of students who will tackle the challenges of tomorrow with confidence and enthusiasm. SEAQiM strives to continue to fulfill educators’ need by providing meaningful course to help students discover the joy in mathematics and inspires a lifelong love for learning.
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