C³TO: enabling mathematics teachers to create a presence on mxit and other chat areas

Abstract

To the mathematics teachers who are comfortable with expressions like Ө, φ, Σ and Δ t, the terms “mxit”, “chatter bot”, “xmpp”, and “jabber” may sound like Greek to them. Although recent research has shown that primary and secondary school pupils are more than willing to discuss mathematics on mxit and in chartrooms, it has been difficult (if not impossible) for an ordinary mathematics teacher(with limited computer and financial resources) to take advantage of this eagerness on the part of their pupils. C³TO is a platform where bona fida teachers (not just mathematics teachers) can easily set up games, quizes, definition lists, formulae lists, and tutoring facilities which their pupils can reach using mxit on their cell phones.