Feature: Play calculated to improve China's math classes

The class has no rules written on the blackboard or complicated calculation. Students sit in groups absorbed in a wooden block puzzle, sometimes rotating the blocks and sometimes discussing it together.

This is a math class in Beijing's Dongtiejiangying No.1 Primary School.

The math teacher introduces the concept of pentominoes (an arrangement of five squares joined along their edges) and then guides the students to explore 12 different shapes.

"The pentominoes look simple, but together they can be transformed into thousands of shapes. Today we start with building a big rectangle," says Ren Jingxia, the math teacher.

Ren says the school has introduced several educational toys into experimental math classes. They focus on logic and problem-solving instead of teacher instructions. The students have reacted positively to the interactive lessons.

"We have set up a work group on developing logical thinking and will promote math experimental class in all grades to enhance students' interest in math," Ren says.

Tian Lili, a senior teacher in Beijing who has observed the class, says the class breaks the stereotype of math as boring and dull: "Math can be fun. We are not training expert puzzle players, but we can combine puzzles with knowledge. The teacher might ask students to explore the surface area, the perimeter and the volume of the pentominoes."

She suggests the philosophy of learning through play can be adopted throughout math education.

"I think it is important to relate math to real-life projects that students might be more engaged in. When they realize that math is everywhere and part of daily life, they find pleasure in learning."

Associate Professor Fang Yunjia, of Capital Normal University and deputy chief editor of Math Education in Primary and Secondary Schools, explains that China's math education is gradually changing to a greater emphasis on practical application and thinking ability.

Chinese students have a reputation for numeracy skills and have featured in international education studies. A group of British education officials came to Shanghai to study Chinese math teaching methods in 2014. The British government later launched a scheme to import Chinese math teachers and Chinese-style math lessons to British schools to help improve math education.

In Fang's view, Chinese math performance is related directly to the teachers' well-organized and standardized teaching, as well as the time and effort students put in. But numeracy skills do not necessarily equate to math ability; the fact that other countries are adopting Chinese teaching methods dose not indicate that Chinese math education is world-leading.

Fang's extensive research on teaching methods and class organization in many countries has found that Chinese math classes are teacher-centered and allow less time for student input; while classes in some Western countries focus on real life projects and use cooperative groups to encourage active participation.

"These elements, which are lacking in Chinese classes, deserve our attention and can be used in China's math education," Fang says.

Fang is currently working on the Math Lab Project. Initiated by the Ministry of Education, it aims to promote experimental classes in primary and secondary schools. Fang says it differs from traditional Chinese "chalk and talk" methods, as experimental classes use games and activities to encourage students to discover math through real applications and group discussion.

These experimental classes have been promoted in Shandong, Zhejiang, Sichuan and Hunan provinces, and training of math teachers is also underway.

"China is implementing the strategy of innovation-driven development, and education reforms aim to ensure the supply of talent and intellectual support. Math education is at the forefront of raising creativity and problem-solving skills, and it's a necessary change," Fang says.

Math has also been given greater priority in China's pre-school education in recent years. Educational toys such as the Tangram Puzzle and Magic Cube are widely used in kindergartens and family games. Math activity books, apps and training programs are also popular.

Mobby is a training agency that focuses on the development of children's thinking ability. It offers courses for children aged three to eight, helping them learn early math skills by building on their natural curiosity and having fun.

According to Hong Yang, head of Mobby, the popularity of the courses reflects society's changing expectations of math education.

"Parents do not want traditional cramming methods to teach their kids math, such as multiplication tables. They hope their kids can develop mathematical thinking and appreciate the fun of math through games and interaction," says Hong. Endi