E-LEARNING Jamaica this past week launched its online mathematics textbook — Mathematics Enhancement Programme (MEP Jamaica) — which is intended to improve the success rate at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) level, by facilitating self-study and reinforcement of classroom teaching.

The textbook also facilitates the delivery of the curriculum and is divided into 10 instructional strands for teachers and students, with an extra revision strand designed for students.

Speaking at the event, which was held at the Knutsford Court Hotel in Kingston, deputy chief education officer Dr Mary Campbell said that according to the experts, problem-solving and critical-thinking skills are best developed through mathematics. Therefore, it is important that mathematics education is given primary focus, she said.

Campbell argued that, “life has progressed largely due to the roles played by mathematical methods in World War II, the Cold War, the space age, and the computer age”.

“These created very necessary tools for mathematics. Mathematics in every country is now the most widely taught subject in schools and is supported by a cadre of teachers with high aspirations,” she said.

Campbell emphasised that educators must equip students with the necessary skills to function effectively and efficiently, as the world is moving away from traditional methods of teaching, and is embracing virtual schools, distant teaching, and personalised teaching.

She noted that MEP Jamaica will provide the opportunity for teachers to upgrade themselves and improve their practise.

Meanwhile, Campbell noted that as the education system continues the transformation process, much more will be demanded from teachers.

“There will be more accountability for students’ learning; the child must be the centre of the teaching process and curriculum development and implementation,” she said.

MEP Jamaica extends beyond the CSEC curriculum to include topics that are important for mathematics mastery and comprehension, and can be used as an extension material for more advanced students, challenging them on specific topics.

The new and free resource was developed by a team, which included:

* head of the mathematics department of St Andrew High School for Girls, and senior subject co-ordinator and mathematics co-ordinator at e-Learning Jamaica, Dawn Thompson-Clarke;

* former head of mathematics education at the University of the West Indies, Terry Tomlinson;

* former principal of Campion College, Radley Reid;

* former education officer, Ministry of Education, Rosalyn Kelly;

* mathematics teacher at Papine High School Cadien Roxborough; and

* head of the mathematics department at the College of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE), Dr Joseph Thomas.

The e-Learning Jamaica Company was established in 2005 as a limited liability company, to implement e-Learning projects in collaboration with the Ministry of Education.

— JIS