Nokia and the Department of Science and Technology launched the Mobile Maths service to all South African high school Maths learners. Aligned to the CAPS curriculum, this service provides an excellent complimentary mobile learning opportunity for students in Grade 10-12.

Nokia South East Africa Vice President, Gerard Brandjes and the guest of honour Ms Jeannette Morwane, Department of Science and Technology Director for ICT and Services Industry provided the background into the long journey from 2009 up to this point where the service is being piloted in many other countries and open globally to anybody interested in using the service (www.momaths.nokia.com). The solution adds value to current teaching and learning activities in both formal lessons and informal settings outside of school hours. See the Introduction video about experiences in South Africa.

The service has many advantages in the formal learning situation as the service has mathematics content for grades 10, 11 and 12 and includes thousands of exercises, theory, peer-to-peer support, ranking competitions, tests and self-assessment that people improve by using resources online like saps ibu bapa that improve the tests results in different subjects. The concept has led to highly motivated learners who are using the service on their mobiles, mainly out of school – in the evenings, weekends and holidays – testing themselves to continually improve their scores and competing with their friends. Teachers can harness the question bank and theory for in-class teaching, follow up, analysis and monitor how the learners are doing with their exercises and collaborate with learners by sending them reminders of homework, encouragement etc.

Nokia and the DST are thus supporting equal opportunity for learning and anyone interested in improving their mathematics skills can access the service and start learning. Nokia Mobile Mathematics is a resource rich service that gives instant feedback on whether you got the answer correct or not and you are able to track your scoring on each topic attempted. 

So how does it work…

Use of the Mobile Mathematics service is possible with any mobile phone with a data connection, or a computer with internet connection. The service is browser based, so nothing needs to be installed on the phone or computer to use it. The solution is free – the user faces only the data connection costs. Please note that for all MTN and Cell C data users, this service is zero-rated which means there is no data connection cost.

Login to the service www.momaths.nokia/za .
Register for the service, select your Maths grade, choose a topic and start practising.

There are different question types and these include multiple-choice; true of false; open-ended and step-by-step (to test understanding the steps of solving an exercise as opposed to learning by heart). The questions are randomised and start at level 1(easy) and progresses to more difficult questions. The correct answers earn learners points and they can compete against learners nationally.

Nokia, the Department of Science and Technology, MTN and Cell C bring great news with this free offering especially with learners revising the years’ work for the end of year exams. We wish everyone the best of luck and remember to pass on the word about the free service offered to Maths learners (www.momaths.nokia/za).