Mathematics can never be learned by note; particularly Geometry, which this writer believes that many students do keep it in memory since the deduction part of it needs to be factually described. This is the real-life example of this writer. After a few years of reading under a very good tutor this writer joined high school at Class 9 in 1947 when due to riots in Calcutta he had come to Chittagong; joining St, Placid School there and bluffed his way to class 10 (one year gained) and matriculated in 1948; subsequently graduated in Engineering in 1954. My only issue and weakness during school and college years in Chittagong was studying History for Matriculation. For this hurdle I committed to memory well over a dozen recommended questions by the school teacher and on an average secured 40% marks, to pass through by this "Commit to memory and Vomit" process; and crossed the most difficult subject for this writer. It was History at matriculation level.
I celebrated the success by burning all the books and notes on crossing the last school hurdle of Class 10. The same exercise was done; for alternative English in place of major vernacular which was not possible without an official transfer papers from the school in Calcutta; and which I could not in any case bring because of jumping through Class 10; and only one month in class 10 in Chittagong. This was a classical case of "commit and vomit" through the final year of high school; particularly for difficult subjects like History and Urdu for this writer. My approach was to commit and vomit through: my vernacular and second language (Persian) by mugging the possible questions both for Matriculation and Intermediate in Science final examinations in 1948 and 1850 in Chittagong. Second language which was Persian; I sailed through it with over 60% marks in the Secondary Education Board and University (I.Sc) examinations respectively.
In my view the teaching of Mathematics is a very difficult job; throughout secondary and university levels covering up to the B.Sc Engineering level. At the B.Sc (Eng.) level the teacher of mathematics and other related subjects involving mathematics, must ensure that every student, understands the fundamentals and the logic and reasoning behind every mathematical processes. Most of the problems in engineering are design and application related; for the solution of any problem. Application of mathematical analysis and related tests are often necessary, that needs to be solved. Wherever possible teachers of mathematics should, demonstrate such issue in the class by working out some typical example; that should be made clear to the students. This is a very important aspect of pragmatic and applied trouble-shooting; that must not be ignored by any teacher. This should be followed up by having frequent sample class tests for practice and understanding of the students. In this writer's opinion this is the most critical stage where students have to give serious time and efforts to master their subjects. The role of the teacher should be that of guide and helper and leading the students by having frequent such trouble-shooting exercises, and discussing it out in the class and analyzing possible mistakes (sometimes common to a number of students) to improve their comprehension understanding on the matter. This could be a practical session of importance when real life examples are discussed and solved along with inputs from students incorporated all the way. This will give confidence to the budding science and engineering students of tomorrow.
Engr. S. A. Mansoor;
(The writer is now 85 years old, graduated in Engineering from the then Ahsanullah Engineering College (Now BUET) in 1954, then the faculty of Engineering under the University of Dhaka and now the BUET. He has had professional working experience (mostly hands-on) from 1954 to 2012 in many public and private sector industries; and as the head of then Chittagong Steel Mills from 1971 to 1975; and the first public sector industry commissioned in early 1972 (A textile spinning mill); the then best performing mill under the then Bangladesh Textile Mills Corporation)
