Sometimes you just stumble upon a fabulous website - you wonder how you missed it for so long! Here is a very rich and comprehensive site on high school math I just found. FREEganita.com. What makes the site so special is that it is closely tied to the Indian school curriculum - it has a topic map page showing how it links to the CBSE, ICSE and the state boards of all the 4 southern states plus Maharashtra.
Yes, the site is not interactive - but it gives good revision material for a high school student. It also has a nice section on Mathematics in Daily Life.
The best part is - the whole site can be downloaded as a .zip file - how useful for students struggling with low band width and limited internet access!
Showing posts with label website. Show all posts
Showing posts with label website. Show all posts
Friday, April 17, 2009
Monday, November 3, 2008
Lies, damned lies and... for Afterschool
One of my (many, many) dream projects is to take statistics on human development and make math 'problems'. While I will do so some day, you can have a dig at it right away!
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) publishes the Human Development Reports. Here is the link to the statistics in the latest HDR 2007-2008. Pick up the data and use it in your afterschool math programme. Let children browse, compare, stare, gasp... and yes, make graphs.
This is one session that is bound to make an impact - who can be flippant about numbers which say the life expectancy in Zambia is 40 years while in Japan it is 82?
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) publishes the Human Development Reports. Here is the link to the statistics in the latest HDR 2007-2008. Pick up the data and use it in your afterschool math programme. Let children browse, compare, stare, gasp... and yes, make graphs.
This is one session that is bound to make an impact - who can be flippant about numbers which say the life expectancy in Zambia is 40 years while in Japan it is 82?
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Muggu Kolam Rangoli for Afterschool!
A nice site on Muggu is ikolam. It is a community site - you can learn to make kolam patterns, contribute your own, take part in contests, etc. There is also a Kids section on the site. It does not have much but the two memory games based on kolam/muggu designs should be interesting.
The NCERT math textbooks now have exercises on kolam designs! So having kids to copy kolam patterns or conjure up some of their own can fit confortably into your afterschool math class!
The NCERT math textbooks now have exercises on kolam designs! So having kids to copy kolam patterns or conjure up some of their own can fit confortably into your afterschool math class!
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Learn to Teach Afterschool!
This post is about eGyanKosh - "a National Digital Repository to store, index, preserve, distribute and share the digital learning resources" managed by the Indira Gandhi National Open Universiy (IGNOU).
eGyanKosh offers easy access to the course materials of IGNOU. There are a great number of courses in agriculture, information technology, education, sciences, social sciences, management, etc. - all accessible in PDF format after a simple, fast registration process.
As someone interested in education, you may wish to look up the course materials from the School of Education. I found the 'Content Based Methodology Courses' of the B.Ed programme quite interesting.
eGyanKosh offers easy access to the course materials of IGNOU. There are a great number of courses in agriculture, information technology, education, sciences, social sciences, management, etc. - all accessible in PDF format after a simple, fast registration process.
As someone interested in education, you may wish to look up the course materials from the School of Education. I found the 'Content Based Methodology Courses' of the B.Ed programme quite interesting.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Speedy Computation Afterschool
High speed computational skills are seemingly in demand - or the mushrooming of Abacus and 'Vedic' Mathematics programmes would have us believe. While computational skills are not an end in themselves, gaining proficiency in these will boost a child's confidence in math.
Here are some resources on 'Vedic' Mathematics:
First, I think it is important to read this article 'Myths and Reality: on Vedic Mathematics' by S. G. Dani of the School of Mathematics, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research.
Next, here is an explanation of the 16 'sutras' that can help in speedy computation. This site is from the Math Resource Centre at IIT, Mumbai. Each of the sutras is explained with examples using Java Applets.
Here are some resources on 'Vedic' Mathematics:
First, I think it is important to read this article 'Myths and Reality: on Vedic Mathematics' by S. G. Dani of the School of Mathematics, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research.
Next, here is an explanation of the 16 'sutras' that can help in speedy computation. This site is from the Math Resource Centre at IIT, Mumbai. Each of the sutras is explained with examples using Java Applets.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Math Lab Ideas for Afterschool
From the Central Board of Secondary Education is this resource on math lab activities for standards 3 to 8. It is available at the website of the Directorate of Education, Government of the NCT of Delhi.
The resource is a 25 page document listing activities that help in strengthening math concepts.
The resource is a 25 page document listing activities that help in strengthening math concepts.
More Textbooks for Afterschool
Here is the link to textbooks for standard 10 from the state of Karnataka, India.
More Math Afterschool!
Following up on my earlier posts on textbooks - here is the link to textbooks from Tamil Nadu.
English versions of math textbooks are available from standard 6 upwards.
Considering the reputation that Tamil Nadu has in mathematics - you would not want to miss these resources!
If textbooks of all states were accessible on the internet for math drills at home and afterschool - would worksheets be redundant?
English versions of math textbooks are available from standard 6 upwards.
Considering the reputation that Tamil Nadu has in mathematics - you would not want to miss these resources!
If textbooks of all states were accessible on the internet for math drills at home and afterschool - would worksheets be redundant?
Great Geography Resource for Afterschool!
Getting children to explore maps is a great way to get them hooked on to geography, culture, applications of mathematics.... you never know where a map can take you.
Here are some great resources for thematic maps:
The State of Environment Atlas of India put together by Development Alternatives and the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India. This atlas has 25 maps in .pdf format including maps showing soil types, water quality, forests, etc. It aso has an interactive map section - but I had no success exploring this - it seems to take forever to get working. The site also has links to the State of Environment Reports of various states. Do take a look at these - they can give children a very good picture of your state's resources, issues and initiatives at conservation. No textbook can come close!
The Census of India has a good section on maps - state maps, thematic maps, etc. Click here for the link to the Census of India's GIS section.
Here are some great resources for thematic maps:
The State of Environment Atlas of India put together by Development Alternatives and the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India. This atlas has 25 maps in .pdf format including maps showing soil types, water quality, forests, etc. It aso has an interactive map section - but I had no success exploring this - it seems to take forever to get working. The site also has links to the State of Environment Reports of various states. Do take a look at these - they can give children a very good picture of your state's resources, issues and initiatives at conservation. No textbook can come close!
The Census of India has a good section on maps - state maps, thematic maps, etc. Click here for the link to the Census of India's GIS section.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Textbooks from the Heart of India! - for Afterschool
I was in the 5th standard, I think, when I first saw a 'different' textbook - my cousins had come to India for the holidays and had brought their textbooks along. I drooled over the fine paper, the colour photographs and the friendly style.
Reading a different textbook can be a useful experience. Children have a tendency to stick to 'the right way' - which they believe is the way of their textbook. It is necessary to have them consider that there may be many right ways... and another textbook can help here.
Here is the link to textbooks from the heat of India - the state of Madhya Pradesh. While not all the links work, don't give up! I tried the links to the math textbooks - the ones for the 2nd, 3rd, 8th and 9th standards worked.
Reading a different textbook can be a useful experience. Children have a tendency to stick to 'the right way' - which they believe is the way of their textbook. It is necessary to have them consider that there may be many right ways... and another textbook can help here.
Here is the link to textbooks from the heat of India - the state of Madhya Pradesh. While not all the links work, don't give up! I tried the links to the math textbooks - the ones for the 2nd, 3rd, 8th and 9th standards worked.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Tiger Time Afterschool!
Here are some resources for Tiger Time in your afterschool programme:
Sanctuary India has a website for its Kids for Tigers campaign. The site is very informative with details (and photographs) on tigers (fur, stripes, claws and all...!), their habits, threats to tigers and their habitat, advice on what children can do for tiger conservation, puzzles and games, etc.
The Project Tiger also has a website with a special section for children. It has facts (sub-species, range, population estimates), Tiger stories, Tiger pictures, etc.
Sanctuary India has a website for its Kids for Tigers campaign. The site is very informative with details (and photographs) on tigers (fur, stripes, claws and all...!), their habits, threats to tigers and their habitat, advice on what children can do for tiger conservation, puzzles and games, etc.
The Project Tiger also has a website with a special section for children. It has facts (sub-species, range, population estimates), Tiger stories, Tiger pictures, etc.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Prepare for Disasters Afterschool!
Floods, fire, quakes...children hear news of these disasters with alarming frequency on the news. Disaster education is important for helping children be safe in the event of an actual disaster. It is also important for helping children feel reassured that they are 'prepared'.
What resources does India have on disaster education that you can use to build an afterschool module? The Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India has a National Disaster Management Division. Its website offers some useful resources for disaster education. For instance, there is a 26 page coloring book for children that has tips on safety measures during earthquakes, floods and fire. There is a 46 page handbook on school safety for administrators, principals and teachers. There is an Earth Quake Survival Pocket Guide. There is also a preview of a Vulnerability Atlas of India here. I found the 3 maps on areas prone to earth quakes, cyclones and floods interesting. They may be useful in sparking off a discussion with children on 'if we know the risk can we be better prepared?'.
Browse around...you are likely to find more stuff on the site. I just wish it was more organized...
What resources does India have on disaster education that you can use to build an afterschool module? The Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India has a National Disaster Management Division. Its website offers some useful resources for disaster education. For instance, there is a 26 page coloring book for children that has tips on safety measures during earthquakes, floods and fire. There is a 46 page handbook on school safety for administrators, principals and teachers. There is an Earth Quake Survival Pocket Guide. There is also a preview of a Vulnerability Atlas of India here. I found the 3 maps on areas prone to earth quakes, cyclones and floods interesting. They may be useful in sparking off a discussion with children on 'if we know the risk can we be better prepared?'.
Browse around...you are likely to find more stuff on the site. I just wish it was more organized...
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Mission Moon - Afterschool!
Get your afterschool programme to focus on India's first mission to the moon - and fast (the launch is due in a few weeks time)!
Chandrayaan-1 (Chandra- Moon , Yaan-vehicle) is a scientific investigation of the Moon by spacecraft. Chandrayaan-1 is the first Indian planetary science and exploration mission and will be launched soon from Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota (SHAR), India.
The Indian Space Research Organization website has some good resources on the mission you can use. Here is a well-written booklet.
Chandrayaan-1 (Chandra- Moon , Yaan-vehicle) is a scientific investigation of the Moon by spacecraft. Chandrayaan-1 is the first Indian planetary science and exploration mission and will be launched soon from Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota (SHAR), India.
The Indian Space Research Organization website has some good resources on the mission you can use. Here is a well-written booklet.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Create Comics Afterschool
Yes! Don't just stop at reading comics - you can try creating your own.
There are some great resources to help you craft a good afterschool literature activity for children. The newly revamped Amar Chitra Katha (ACK) website for starters - it has a Create with Us section where you are invited to share your own ACK story (if accepted it actually may get published!) and your art (for cover pages of ACK comics).
Another promising resource is ToonDoo - a very desi website with a global following. It is a cartoon strip creator (yes, only online) that lets you pick and choose your background, characters, etc. and type in your text to create a comic strip - just like that!
There are some great resources to help you craft a good afterschool literature activity for children. The newly revamped Amar Chitra Katha (ACK) website for starters - it has a Create with Us section where you are invited to share your own ACK story (if accepted it actually may get published!) and your art (for cover pages of ACK comics).
Another promising resource is ToonDoo - a very desi website with a global following. It is a cartoon strip creator (yes, only online) that lets you pick and choose your background, characters, etc. and type in your text to create a comic strip - just like that!
Saturday, August 30, 2008
India for Afterschool!
India and loads of it - a great resource on India is Kamat's Potpourri. It is about 'history, mystery and diversity' of India - and it has about 18000 pictures - yes, 18000! There is so much on this site that you can browse and browse... Let me share one way I 'used' it - I hope to include art appreciation in my afterschool programme. I found a great deal about Indian painting on the site - from the cave paintings of Madhya Pradesh to Madhubani paintings to Moghul miniature painting...
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Alternative Education Afterschool
Here is a must visit resource on alternative education in India. It focuses on homeschooling and alternative schooling. There are a wealth of resources you can access through this site - home school groups, alternative schools, books, online resources, articles, inspiration...
Sending your child to an alternative school or deciding to home school is a big decision. Not everyone can consider taking it. I see afterschooling as an opportunity here. A parent can actively engage with the child's learning afterschool. If you believe in learning through exploration and action - partner with your child and learn together - every evening, every weekend, indeed all the time when you are together... Also, consider afterschool learning resource centres (like this one) - where the focus is on cooperative, active, project-based learning.
Sending your child to an alternative school or deciding to home school is a big decision. Not everyone can consider taking it. I see afterschooling as an opportunity here. A parent can actively engage with the child's learning afterschool. If you believe in learning through exploration and action - partner with your child and learn together - every evening, every weekend, indeed all the time when you are together... Also, consider afterschool learning resource centres (like this one) - where the focus is on cooperative, active, project-based learning.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Vidya Online Afterschool
A great resource this time: Vidya Online. The site describes itself as "online forum which will enable introspection, discussion and examination of issues in primary education".
It has 4 sections: Classroom support, Media resources, Bookshelf and E-courses. Together they offer ideas for activities, books, photographs and opportunity for attending an on-line course. The site has much to offer - the best way to get to know more is to visit it yourself!
It has 4 sections: Classroom support, Media resources, Bookshelf and E-courses. Together they offer ideas for activities, books, photographs and opportunity for attending an on-line course. The site has much to offer - the best way to get to know more is to visit it yourself!
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Afterschool Online
It goes without saying that the internet provides a great resource for afterschool education. That said, there is a value for sites that are 'Indian' in content. One such example is this. It is a networking site focussed on academic improvement in children. The site provides networking space for students, teachers as well as parents. It has content (relevant to the CBSE curriculum), on-line tests, forums to ask questions, etc. Though registration is free, you may need to buy a few points to start off using some services. You spend and earn points depending on what you do at the site.
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