Dar varsity develops maths, science teaching software to assist secondary schools that have no laboratories.



The Dar es Salaam University College of Education (DUCE).
To improve secondary schools’ performance in mathematics and science subjects, the Dar es Salaam University College of Education (DUCE) has developed software to assist teachers in schools that do not have laboratories to conduct practical exercises.
 
Working in collaboration with Mkwawa University College of Education (MUCE) and Open University of Tanzania (OUT), DUCE officials say the programme is already underway.
 
Speaking during an event held to mark the university’s research week over the weekend in Dar es Salaam at the DUCE campus, Deputy Principal Academic Prof Goodliving Mtui said lack of teaching materials is one of the main factors attributed to poor performance in mathematics and science subjects.
 
 “The software allows teachers to access teaching materials on their computers without having to use an actual laboratory,” he said.
“We embarked on this project in response to challenges highlighted in the Big Results Now (BRN) review among which was the need to increase new teaching skills to teachers to help improve performance,” explained.
 
However, he fell short of specifying a name for the software and examples of the ‘teaching materials’ that the software avails.
 
However, commenting on the research week, he described it as important “…because students and management get the opportunity to show their publications to the public who then learn what DUCE is doing in terms of research,’ he said.
 
He said the research week also gives students opportunity to ask question to heads of department who attend the exhibition along with various teachers who showcase their researches.
 
In another development, DUCE is expected to introduce a master’s programme in early childhood education and psychology administration this year.
 
Assistant lecturer, Kinyota Mjege said the curriculum and similarly, DUCE is awaiting approval on a proposal to use mobile phones to improve teaching mathematics in secondary schools. He did not however offer any details as to the practical application of the proposal.

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