What were your objectives?
Learn how to deliver the knowledge I have to other people and develop the skills of how to educate those that do not possess the knowledge I have.
What did you do?
Use the mathematical knowledge I have to teach Mathematics to Ha Eun and help her do well in her IGCSE Additional Mathematics
What were the outcomes for you and the team?
For me, I have learnt that even the obvious facts I have known can be difficult for other people to understand and different people have different methods of understanding such as the mathematical formula. I have developed confidence when teaching subjects and learnt the importance of preparation. Even the knowledge I have may be of certainty but because it is something I am giving another person, their knowledge of the area is dependent on mine. Thus I have to be sure of the information I deliver to the other person, in this case: Ha Eun.
Ha Eun has not yet taken her actual IGCSE Exam for additional Mathematics, however, she has been able to cover the whole syllabus with my assistance and is able to go through the past papers and correct on her work independently.
How successful were you in reaching your objectives and why?
The actual success will depend on the results Ha Eun obtains from her real exams, however from the progress that has been made, I am proud of the achievements that have been made. At the beginning, she had no idea of how to solve questions or how to study mathematics, but with some guidance, now she is able to solve the questions and correct the answers on her own. Not only have I been able to transfer the mathematical knowledge I have, but also the method of how to study mathematics in the future as well.
As for me, I have acquired a certain level of confidence and comfort in teaching subjects of my 'speciality'. I have learnt some techniques on how to present the thoughts or information in my head to the audience or to another person. It is a matter of how much confidence I have in the information I am aware of and that this factor will allow me to further challenge me to try and spread my ideas more effectively. This confidence essentially is what I learnt through teaching Ha Eun.
Did you encounter and difficulties and how did you overcome them?
There times when I could not understand why the simple explanations I thought to be did not register in Ha Eun's mind. I tried to explain over and over again and yet there were still some obscure parts within the understanding of the new concepts. Thus I would change my method of explanation and by giving examples, Ha Eun was able to grasp the important messages from the explanations I gave.
What did you think about the activity? What did it mean to you?
Most of the time, tedious and tiring because I also had my work to do from school. Even without any repayment, I had volunteered to teach Ha Eun maths and this offer I think is my way of making use of myself. With the knowledge I have I would be able to help a fellow student, a friend and later I would be able to offer more to the society which I would be included in.
What did you learn from the activity? What values have you developed?
I learnt the importance of preparation before events or lectures are. I have realised that the actual effort goes to the preparation before and the planning for the next lesson.
How can you apply what you've learnt to new situations?
With this, I can teach further students that might need my help or later I have always dreamed of spending some time in Africa helping the people suffering in poverty.
