Confluence of Declining Math Ability
Dear Friends and Students
Jan 17, 2012, the Times of India published an article “Reading, maths ability declining in kids: Survey”. The national figure for the proportion of children in standard V able to read standard II texts dropped from 53.7% (2010) to 48.2(2011). In the case of arithmetic, there are far more worrying signs. The proportion of standard III children who can solve a two-digit subtraction problem with borrowing dropped from 36.3% (2010) to 29.9% (2011)”. This was a decade-back story in India. I don’t have the latest data. I am sure post corona, numbers might have fallen to similar levels.
Now let us hear the story of the USA. In 2022, the National Centre for Education Statistics (NCES) conducted a special administration of the NAEP long-term trend (LTT) reading and mathematics assessments for age 9 students to examine student achievement during the COVID-19 pandemic. Average scores for age 9 students in 2022 declined by 5 points in reading and 7 points in mathematics compared to 2020. This is the largest average score decline in reading since 1990, and the first-ever score decline in mathematics (https://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=38)
In Europe, looking at reading performance over a longer time span, performance did not significantly change in most countries between 2009 and 2018. The EU average performance in mathematics remained stable also over 2009-2018, although trends differ across Member States (education.ec.europa.eu/)
On the other side, the researchers found that “routine and frequent use of mobile devices appear to be associated with behavioral problems in childhood.” (Concordia University). This is also another reason for the performance drop. When someone is watching excessive video content, obviously the reading performance drops. The thinking ability or Math ability dips! This is a natural consequence. The question is not about particular performance during time and country. In general, there is no big positive story over time!
While we are talking about one extreme, the other extreme looks completely different. Now we are talking about AI as a Teacher. Harvard's New Computer Science Teacher Is a Chatbot!! True, I am not kidding! Starting this fall, the most prestigious Computer Science 50: Introduction to Computer Science (CS50) will be encouraged to use AI to help them debug code, give feedback on their designs, and answer individual questions about error messages and unfamiliar lines of code. The new approach will not use ChatGPT or GitHub Copilot, both of which are popular among programmers. Malan says the tools are "currently too helpful." Instead, Harvard has developed its own large language model, a "CS50 bot" that will be "similar in spirit," but will focus on "leading students toward an answer rather than handing it to them,” he says. I am sure this is going to be a future model across the world.
When a kid is having so many diversions and AI becomes a teacher for such kids, how do math and reading abilities impact? It is the million-dollar question. How do we see this convergence? How do we read these extreme situations across the world? How does it impact an underperformer and a superior performer? This is going to be an interesting research problem for social scientists.
Everybody has a solution but we are not able to implement it because we are also partly succumbed to these extremes. It is the responsibility of parents to handle their individual cases. That is the only feasible solution rather than suggesting large-scale systems and processes!
Parents, be mindful of your child's growth and ensure a balanced approach to technology to promote their well-being and development.
Ravi Saripalle
Note: Opinions expressed by authors are their own.
Pic credits: Pixabay
Dr. Ravi Saripalle
View Details
Like
0 Comments
Repost
You may also like
Dr. Ravi Saripalle
Published 7d+
Fascinating Life lessons!
Little things in Life that are Interesting! Fascinating Life lessons!Dear Friends and StudentsThe Amazon rainforest is the largest rainforest in the world, covering an area of approximately 6.7
Edgroom
Published 7d+
An Eminent Educator, Researcher, and Leader in English Language Teaching
Dr. Hari Babu Thammineni is a distinguished academician, educator, and expert in English Language Teaching (ELT) with over 25 years of experience in teaching, research, and academic administration. Currently
The Art of Teaching
Published 7d+
Beyond Skills: Why Teachers Must Cultivate Visibility
As educators, teachers are the architects of future generations, meticulously shaping minds with skills, knowledge, and wisdom. Yet, in today’s interconnected world, being an exceptional teacher
Sandip University
Published 7d+
MBA in Hospital and Healthcare Management
MBA in hospital and healthcare managementWhat is Hospital and Healthcare Management and why do we need it?Hospital and Healthcare Management refers to inch-by-inch management procedures involved in
VENKATESH PANYAM
Published 7d+
Nurturing Success Through Genuine Connections in Education
In the vast landscape of education, the foundation for true success is not solely built on textbooks and exams. Instead, it flourishes within the realm of human connection. My blog delves into the paramount
Dr. Ravi Saripalle
Published 7d+
Biodiversity Crisis!
Community Led Grassroots Fightback against Biodiversity Crisis! What is our Vow to Rewild?! Read this PerspectiveDear Friends and StudentsRecently somebody commented on my blog that most of the
Edgroom
Published 7d+
Integrated Programs at IITs
The institutes like IIT Bombay and IIT Kanpur along with 4 years B .Tech programs also offering 4 years Bachelor of Science (B.S) programs in subjects like Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics
Dr. Ravi Saripalle
Published 7d+
Career Path vs Career Portfolio
Are You Working towards a “Career Path” or Building a “Career Portfolio”? Time to invest in Latter! Say Bye to “Career Path”!! Read this Interesting Perspective!!Dear
Rambabu Daketi
Published 7d+
Know My Campus: Avanthi
The BeginingAvanthi Educational Society under the Leadership of Sri M.Srinivasa Rao Garu as chairman was started in the Year 1991. Within a short span of its establishment, the group has made a remarkable
Edgroom
Published 7d+
The Inspiring Educator Known as Physics Murthy
KODAVANTI SATYANARAYANA MURTHY, fondly known as “Physics Murthy,” is an esteemed physics lecturer whose passion for teaching and dedication to his students have made him a beloved figure in
M. Shruti
Published 7d+
LIFE OF AN ADOLESCENT
Who are adolescents?Adolescents are the persons who complete their childhood and enter the world of responsibility. At this age, we will acquire attributes and abilities that will be essential for
Dr. Ravi Saripalle
Published 7d+
Doctor, Be a Design Thinker!!
👆Read this Ad. When I predicted this 2 Years Back, Many questioned the integrity of AI! Mediocre Doctor Jobs are at Risk! The Future is here!!Dear FriendsI was questioned when I presented
Related Blogs
Dr. Ravi Saripalle
Published 7d+
How our Childhood personality traits influence on life outcomes.
How you behave at Age 11 reflects your attainment at Age 50! The First Longitudinal Study (50 Years) Results got published! Can you check your traits at Age 11?Dear Friends and StudentsThree researchers
Dr. Ravi Saripalle
Published 7d+
Your New Co-Researcher- Boon or Bane?
Your New Co-Researcher- Boon or Bane? Productivity Enabler or Creative Loss? -Message to Researchers, Faculty, and Students!Dear Researcher, Faculty and Student FriendsThree Years back, a few students
Dr. Ravi Saripalle
Published 7d+
Should I join ECE or not?
Should I join ECE or not? Do I have a Future? This Message is a Response to these questions! Read this perspective!Dear Students and FriendsA couple of days back, one of my colleagues asked what
Dr. Ravi Saripalle
Published 7d+
Preparing Coders for Tomorrow
"Preparing Coders for Tomorrow: The Evolution of Code Comprehension in Generative AI”! Computer Science Faculty and IT Recruiters' Dilemma!Dear Friends and Students,This article
Dr. Ravi Saripalle
Published 7d+
Better English for Best Mathematics
Do You Need Better English for Best Mathematics? Similarly, Computer Science and Communication!! 20% drop in Maths Performance due to less understanding of words! How does a Metro, City, Town Student perform
Dr. Ravi Saripalle
Published 7d+
Prompt Engineering
The Hottest Software Job and Hottest Programming Language in the Market! The first-ever new Job created by AI!Dear Friends and StudentsRecently I saw a Job post and Companies are willing to pay