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The Herald Scotland
05-06-2025
- Science
- The Herald Scotland
Maths journaling is giving students control over lessons
It is also one which may be doing more damage than we realise. According to data collected through the 2022 Programme for International Student Assessment (Pisa), more than half of Scottish 15-year-olds worry about poor marks in maths and nearly the same amount are anxious about failing. The overall Pisa results also showed that Scottish students' performance in maths has fallen again, down 18 points from the last time the scores were released. The Scottish Government is in the middle of a major curriculum review, and mathematics is the first subject under the microscope. As with most problems, however, teachers are working to solve them, and two educators in Edinburgh are laying a new path for students. Erskine Stewart Melville Junior School teachers Holly Drummond and Dr Kirsten Fenton are working to change attitudes towards maths one classroom at a time through a teaching strategy they call 'mathematical journaling.' It is a core tool in their teaching ethos, which focuses on play, agency, creativity, and engagement (PACE, because "you know we love an acronym in education," Dr Fenton said). Dr Fenton said that maths journaling, at its foundation, is about helping students learn how they want to approach a topic and be creative about maths lessons. "It's a real teacher-developed approach that Holly and I have come up with. It aims really to put the learner at its centre. It's joyful, which is what learning and teaching should be about, but it's also practical because it gives children a way of reconnecting with what learning is." The journaling method is, in some ways, as simple as it sounds. As Mrs Drummond and Dr Fenton's students work on a mathematical principle over the course of a week, they have set times to 'stop and jot' in their journals as Mrs Drummond described. Teachers will show some example journal entries, but the idea is to get students thinking about the lesson in their own words. This works to dispel the myth that maths is a "secret language" that only some can understand, Mrs Drummond said. "We wanted to move away from jotters being a space of rote practice, and to see it much more as a tool for their learning. It's a messy space, just as learning is messy. "It is a place to collect their thoughts, it's a place that evidences their struggle, but it also evidences their progress much more. Not just by marking out of ten, or having neat calculations laid out all the time." Many maths teachers constantly tell students to 'Show your work', but the team at ESMS believes that taking this a step further and teaching students how to show their full thought process helps them connect more with their lesson. Dr Kirsten Fenton works on a mathematical journaling exercise with her students. (Image: Gordon Terris) Beyond that, Mrs Drummond said that having a space to show their work to the fullest without risk of being marked down also makes it easier for students to learn from their mistakes with less anxiety. "I think we have placed too much emphasis early on with children about getting things right, and life doesn't actually work that way. "We thought that we needed something different. Having done quite a bit of reading and going to various conferences, we decided that what is missing a lot of the time is the talk side of maths teaching. "We are very good at that in other areas, whereas in maths thinking and teaching we don't always allow for purposeful talk. "We wanted to embed that and create students who are numerically literate." Dr Fenton said that part of PACE and maths journaling is about students being brave and "exploring mistakes" in their work, while having the correct vocabulary and understanding to discuss different approaches with their classmates. "At the start of the week, we will often take a mathematical concept and do a brain dump. "What do you know about, say, fractions? Can you give me definitions? Can you talk me through an example? If you were teaching someone who knew nothing about the subject, how would you start? "This is a really useful tool for us because it offers a starting point, and it gives a really early indication of any misconceptions that might not normally cause problems until later. "Their journaling helps us with responsive teaching as well, and really getting it right for each learner, which is very important to our approach." Read more: The PACE approach and mathematical journaling help tackle arithmophobia by teaching students how to think about lessons in their own words. Dr Fenton said every student likes to process information differently, and teachers always look for ways to adapt to their students. However, maths can be intimidating for some young people because the subject feels inflexible to the uninitiated: there is always only one correct answer and one way to get there. Students do not naturally see room for creativity or individuality, which leads to that tendency for defeatism. Frustration can lead young people to avoid the subject, which is part of another unhelpful narrative in society: the idea that maths can be escaped, sectioned off from our lives and careers. Mrs Drummond and Dr Fenton are chipping away at this misconception, too. Although there is much discussion about creativity, literacy, speaking, and writing, that is not to say that numbers have fled the classroom. "There still needs to be that explicit teaching of mathematical strategies," Mrs Drummond said. Colleagues at ESMS Junior School, Dr Kirsten Fenton and Holly Drummond, said they don't have all the answers, but they want to help teachers reimagine teaching and learning.(Image: Gordon Terris) However, she added it is essential that children should never feel "excluded" from any subject because it does not immediately resonate with them. "Students should not think, 'This one's not for me, it's inaccessible, it's hard.'" She said that just as other subjects will seep into maths lessons, it is just as crucial for students to recognise when they are using maths in other disciplines. "There needs to be a give and take between maths and other subjects. We are pulling in the literacy to make the maths more accessible, but we are also bringing maths into other areas as well." The pair of pioneers have been taking their PACE approach on the road recently. They have been sharing their approach with the British Society for Research into Learning Mathematics (BSRLM) at multiple conferences, showcasing how mathematical journaling has helped their students feel more confident, combat their maths anxiety and build new critical thinking skills. Feedback from other teachers and researchers has been positive. Dr Fenton said they are hoping for more collaboration as they try to do their part to give students the best foundation possible in a challenging time. "We see this as a crunch point in Scottish education with the curriculum review, rising maths anxiety and Pisa scores. They are all warning signs, but they also provide an opportunity for us to rethink how children learn. "Classrooms need to be places of possibility and we hope our PACE approach can be a call to arms for that. "We're not saying that we have all the right answers, but we're working with something that is research-based, that we can apply in our classrooms and teachers can take and go and apply themselves. "We want to encourage others to rethink what learning could and should look like."
Time of India
05-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
ECI to launch unified digital platform ECINET to streamline electoral services
In a significant step towards streamlining electoral services, the Election Commission of India (ECI) will be launching a single-point digital platform called ECINET to integrate the commission's 40 existing mobile and web applications, the ECI said on Sunday. The ECI said that the platform will be offering a seamless and user-friendly interface for electors, election officials, political parties, and civil society. The initiative, envisioned by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar during the March Conference of Chief Electoral Officers, aims to simplify user experience (UX) and enhance user interface (UI) by consolidating apps like the Voter Helpline , Voter Turnout, cVIGIL, Suvidha 2.0, ESMS, Saksham, and KYC App, which have collectively recorded over 5.5 crore downloads. "ECINET will subsume existing Apps like the Voter Helpline App, Voter Turnout App, cVIGIL, Suvidha 2.0, ESMS, Saksham and KYC App, which together have clocked over 5.5 crore downloads," the ECI said in a release. The ECI also noted that the ECINET will serve nearly 100 crore electors, support the electoral machinery, and eliminate the need for multiple app downloads and logins, reducing users' complexity. "ECINET is expected to benefit nearly 100 crore electors and the entire electoral machinery comprising over 10.5 lakh Booth Level Officers (BLOs), around 15 Lakh Booth Level Agents (BLAs) appointed by Political Parties, nearly 45 Lakh Polling Officials, 15,597 Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs), 4,123 EROs and 767 District Election Officers (DEOs) across the country," it said. "ECINET has already reached an advanced stage of development and rigorous trials are being conducted to ensure smooth functionality, ease of use, and robust cybersecurity measures ," it added. The platform was developed after extensive consultations with 36 Chief Electoral Officers, 767 DEOS, 4,123 EROS, and a review of 76 ECI publications spanning 9,000 pages. It is currently undergoing rigorous trials to ensure functionality, ease of use, and robust cybersecurity. "It is being developed after an elaborate consultative exercise involving 36 CEOs of all the States/UTs, 767 DEOs and 4,123 EROs of their States/UTs and after reviewing 76 publications comprising 9,000 pages of the electoral framework, instructions and handbooks issued by ECI from time to time. The data provided through ECINET will be strictly aligned within the legal framework established by the Representation of People Act 1950, 1951, Registration of Electoral Rules, 1960 Conduct of Election Rules, 1961 and instructions issued by ECI from time to time," the ECI said. ECINET, in its advanced stage of development, is poised to revolutionise electoral service delivery, enhancing convenience and efficiency for all stakeholders.
Mint
04-05-2025
- Business
- Mint
ECI to roll out unified digital platform - ECINET; how streamlining electoral services will help voters
The Election Commission of India (ECI) is preparing to launch a single-point digital platform named 'ECINET.' This marks a significant step towards streamlining electoral services to integrate the commission's 40 existing mobile and web applications. The polling body on Sunday said that the platform will be offer a seamless and user-friendly interface. This will make it easier for electors, election officials, political parties and civil society to access electoral services. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar is the visionary behind this historic move. This initiative will simplify user experience (UX) and enhance user interface (UI) by consolidating various. Apps like the Voter Helpline, Voter Turnout, cVIGIL, Suvidha 2.0, ESMS, Saksham, KYC App, and others which collectively have over 5.5 crore downloads, will be integrated through a "singe-point app." In a recent press release, ECI stated, "ECINET will subsume existing Apps like the Voter Helpline App, Voter Turnout App, cVIGIL, Suvidha 2.0, ESMS, Saksham and KYC App, which together have clocked over 5.5 crore downloads," the ECI said in a release. According to the ECI, the ECINET will not only serve nearly 100 crore electors but also support the electoral machinery and eliminate the need for multiple app downloads and logins. "ECINET is expected to benefit nearly 100 crore electors and the entire electoral machinery comprising over 10.5 lakh Booth Level Officers (BLOs), around 15 Lakh Booth Level Agents (BLAs) appointed by Political Parties, nearly 45 Lakh Polling Officials, 15,597 Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs), 4,123 EROs and 767 District Election Officers (DEOs) across the country," the statement added. ECINET will be rolled out after undergoing robust cybersecurity measures and rigorous trials to reduce users' complexity. The digital platform, which has already reached an advanced stage of development, was developed after extensive consultations with 36 Chief Electoral Officers, 767 DEOS, 4,123 EROS, and a review of 76 ECI publications. First Published: 4 May 2025, 02:14 PM IST
Time of India
04-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
ECI to launch unified digital platform ECINET to streamline electoral services
New Delhi [India], May 4 (ANI): In a significant step towards streamlining electoral services , the Election Commission of India (ECI) will be launching a single-point digital platform called ECINET to integrate the commission's 40 existing mobile and web applications, the ECI said on Sunday. #Pahalgam Terrorist Attack India much better equipped to target cross-border terror since Balakot India conducts maiden flight-trials of stratospheric airship platform Pakistan shuts ports for Indian ships after New Delhi bans imports from Islamabad The ECI said that the platform will be offering a seamless and user-friendly interface for electors, election officials, political parties, and civil society. The initiative, envisioned by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar during the March Conference of Chief Electoral Officers, aims to simplify user experience (UX) and enhance user interface (UI) by consolidating apps like the Voter Helpline , Voter Turnout, cVIGIL, Suvidha 2.0, ESMS, Saksham, and KYC App, which have collectively recorded over 5.5 crore downloads. "ECINET will subsume existing Apps like the Voter Helpline App, Voter Turnout App, cVIGIL, Suvidha 2.0, ESMS, Saksham and KYC App, which together have clocked over 5.5 crore downloads," the ECI said in a release. The ECI also noted that the ECINET will serve nearly 100 crore electors, support the electoral machinery, and eliminate the need for multiple app downloads and logins, reducing users' complexity. Live Events "ECINET is expected to benefit nearly 100 crore electors and the entire electoral machinery comprising over 10.5 lakh Booth Level Officers (BLOs), around 15 Lakh Booth Level Agents (BLAs) appointed by Political Parties, nearly 45 Lakh Polling Officials, 15,597 Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs), 4,123 EROs and 767 District Election Officers (DEOs) across the country," it said. "ECINET has already reached an advanced stage of development and rigorous trials are being conducted to ensure smooth functionality, ease of use, and robust cybersecurity measures ," it added. The platform was developed after extensive consultations with 36 Chief Electoral Officers, 767 DEOS, 4,123 EROS, and a review of 76 ECI publications spanning 9,000 pages. It is currently undergoing rigorous trials to ensure functionality, ease of use, and robust cybersecurity. "It is being developed after an elaborate consultative exercise involving 36 CEOs of all the States/UTs, 767 DEOs and 4,123 EROs of their States/UTs and after reviewing 76 publications comprising 9,000 pages of the electoral framework, instructions and handbooks issued by ECI from time to time. The data provided through ECINET will be strictly aligned within the legal framework established by the Representation of People Act 1950, 1951, Registration of Electoral Rules, 1960 Conduct of Election Rules, 1961 and instructions issued by ECI from time to time," the ECI said. ECINET, in its advanced stage of development, is poised to revolutionise electoral service delivery, enhancing convenience and efficiency for all stakeholders.
Zawya
15-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
National Finance signs strategic partnership with International Finance Corporation
Muscat: Reaffirming its resolute commitment to the country's sustainable development goals, National Finance, the Sultanate of Oman's leading finance company, has entered a landmark partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group. This pivotal collaboration was formalized during a signing ceremony held on the World Bank Group Day in Muscat, Oman, marking the successful finalization of key agreements between the two institutions. This partnership underscores National Finance's growing role in driving the transition towards a greener economy, aligning with Oman Vision 2040. IFC's $120 million loan for sustainability projects will enable the company to expand its sustainable finance portfolio, with a focus on electric vehicle (EV) financing, green finance offerings, renewable energy projects. By embedding sustainability across its operations, National Finance continues to play a vital role in supporting the nation's broader environmental agenda, delivering impactful financial solutions that contribute to a low-carbon future. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Tariq Sulaiman Al Farsi, Chief Executive Officer at National Finance said, 'This partnership with IFC is both a recognition and reinforcement of our sustainability journey. By joining forces with a world-renowned institution, we are accelerating the implementation of our green finance initiatives and creating long-term value for our stakeholders and the communities we serve. It is a significant step in our mission to foster sustainable economic progress in the Sultanate of Oman.' With this investment, IFC, as the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets, aims to share its capital, expertise, and influence to advance sustainable finance in Oman. Momina Aijazuddin, IFC's Regional Head of Industry, added, "Small and medium enterprises may be modest in size, but their impact is profound. They are every economy's growth engine. With this in mind, this $120 million investment represents a significant milestone for Oman—our first in the country's non-bank financial sector in nearly two decades. Beyond enhancing the resilience of the financial market, this transaction aims to advance sustainability by empowering businesses to spearhead climate-related projects from the ground up." The partnership also validates National Finance's sustainability framework, which is geared towards contributing to sustainable economic growth, strengthening communities, and reducing environmental impact. These goals are driven through four strategic pillars—Environment, Social, Operations, and Governance—underpinned by initiatives such as the Green Campus Programme, and the introduction of green auto finance for EVs as well as solar energy and paper recycling bins. Further reinforcing its ESG architecture, National Finance has also established a dedicated Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS), which introduces a standardized procedure for ESG due diligence across all projects. The effective delivery of this strategy is supported by critical success factors, including robust policies, continuous capacity building, and proactive stakeholder engagement. Complementing these are efficient systems for ESG performance tracking and a strong focus on governance, accountability, and leadership to embed sustainability into every level of decision-making. Ensuring alignment across the organization is National Finance's cross-functional Sustainability Taskforce, which is overlooked by the Head of Sustainability and reports to the CEO. The Head, accountable for ESG matters, reports directly to the CEO, who, in turn, ensures Board-level oversight of all sustainability initiatives. This structure facilitates the seamless integration of ESG practices across departments. As the nation accelerates its pursuit of climate goals and economic diversification, National Finance's alliance with IFC embodies a forward-looking strategy—leveraging global expertise to deliver resilient financial solutions that meet evolving market needs and address critical environmental imperatives.
