A two-day republican conference entitled “Mathematics Education” kicked off at Armenian State Pedagogical University on October 24. Professor Srbouhi Gevorgyan, PhD in
Psychology, ASPU Vice-Rector for Educational and Scientific Affairs, made an opening speech at the conference dedicated to the 15th anniversary of “Mathematics in School” journal.
Stressing the importance of the conference, the Vice-Rector said, “The true process of mathematical thinking and the ideas that lie at the heart of world-building make Mathematics an indispensable tool in the process of studying and developing Nature and thinking. Since ancient times the language of numbers has been in the center of attention of other sciences; this is also evidenced in the works of Great Armenian scholar Anania Shirakatsi,” she said.
Srbouhi Gevorgyan underscored the unique role of the ASPU in the organization of mathematical training, preparation and compilation of curricula, textbooks and standards of Mathematics. During the 90 years of its operation, the University has trained numerous teachers of Mathematics. “Great is the contribution of the University specialists to the modernization of mathematical education, improvement of traditional educational methods, introduction of new technologies and formation of values – issues that are also highlighted in “Mathematics in School” journal.
Deputy Minister of Science and Education of the Republic of Armenia, Manuk Mkrtchyan, says the opinion that Mathematics is only the language of science is limited and harmful; whatever exists in the physical world is reflected in Mathematics and the term “Mathematical Thinking” was put into circulation long ago.
Speaking about the teaching methods of Mathematics, the Deputy Minister said the teaching of Mathematics has never been on the agenda of the curricula of secondary education; the knowledge of the subject is necessary for everyone without considering his/her mathematical abilities.
Manuk Mkrtchyan emphasized the role of the 15-year-old journal and said the term “Secondary Importance of Mathematics” was introduced by Hamlet Mikaelyan, the editor of the journal, Head of the Chair of Teaching Methodology of Mathematics.
Norayr Ghukasyan, Director of the National Institute of Education, presented the history and path of the journal and summarized the activities of 15 years, saying each of the 92 issues of the journal seems to be a complete volume connected with others with a certain inner connection.
Research, scientific and methodological, teacher's aide, extracurricular, quaint, cross-curricular, point systems, advanced teaching, formal, etc. These are the most common headlines prepared by teachers and addressed to teachers.
The NIE director was glad to say that the journal is given for free to all secondary schools in Armenia, Nagorno-Karabakh
Republic and Javakhk.
Speaking about the publication of the journal, Vanik Zakaryan, an academician of the National Academy of Sciences, said everything that is aimed at schoolchildren is useful and
the journal is especially valued for its role and quality.
The academician said it is desirable and advisable that the ASPU pay more attention to the teaching methods and ASPU lecturers actively participate in methodological discussions.
“As early as 15 years ago we formed a field which contributed to the development of Mathematics and publication of journals. We solved the problem of "floating knowledge and education.” I mean to say that we fulfilled an important task: everyone knows that when something is imposed in the course of time it meets resistance. The magazine bore a new ideology which was devoid of old patterns,” said Victor Martirosyan, Founding Chairman of the Editorial Board of the journal.
He then referred to the creation of the journal and the issues it covers, stressing the academic emphasis of the pedagogical thought, its continuation and principles.
The chief editor of the journal, Hamlet Mikaelyan, considers education to ‘be the way to Armenian eternity where an illiterate place has no place. Education is the saint of all saints and distrust for it is disastrous. If Mathematics is a universal value, then mathematical education is a national value,” added the head of the Chair.
Also reports were delivered on Mathematics Education.
The two-day conference will continue is work on Friday, October 25.
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