A Dinaledi learner engages with MoMaths

For decades, Maths teachers throughout the world have been grappling with the problem of how to make the subject of Mathematics an interesting and relevant topic for kids. Now, Nokia’s mobile maths project appears to have found a winning solution. The project, which is now in its third year of existence, has gathered evidence that overwhelmingly points to successful uptake and ownership by local learners who indicate a newly acquired enthusiasm and enjoyment of Maths. These results are astounding researchers involved in the evaluation of the project, one of whom claims that in twenty years of research into how to harness technology for education and knowledge transfer, this level of positive learner response has never been experienced.

Talking to Riitta Vanska, the project lead of MoMaths, enthusiasm for the project is certainly contagious. Riitta, who is based in Finland and works as the Senior Manager of Mobile Learning Solutions within the Sustainability Operations of Nokia’s Corporate Social Responsibility arm, has almost single-handedly steered the project. Her passion, drive and commitment are boundless. Riitta stresses that this project is not a ‘content push’ but rather aims to build learners’ confidence in order for them to harness their own capabilities and, in a way, manage their own learning destinies.

Yet how has MoMaths achieved this? The answer is beguilingly simple: MoMaths awakens the competitive spirit. Learners are encouraged to compete – but here is the interesting catch – with themselves. This ‘solution’ came largely through having to think out-of-the-box: without being able to use smart phones and the more sophisticated mobile applications, due to the pilot learners using low-end phones, the team had to think about what would be at the core of getting children excited about learning. They stripped it back to a sense of personal fulfillment and achievement. Thus, learners are encouraged to better their scores on quizzes, practice exercises and tests. Of course, there is also competition amongst their peers; this is only natural, but the self-improvement and self-actualisation that the project awakens in each learner is a personal achievement.

Harnessing learner enthusiasm via MXiT

Another plus to MoMaths is that it happens where the learners are to be found, namely on the popular mobile chat channel called MXiT. This is not unique: a number of other learning initiatives use MXiT to connect with learners, recognising that this popular mobile platform is where learners spend a great deal of their free time.

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