Taking mathematics beyond textbooks while making it fun with a ‘No Textbook’ culture and active participation of students, Mumbai based Dinasim Learning, a subconscious math learning approach, through its innovative courses, have uniquely combined teaching with games and drill the concept without forcing it to be learned. Its specially designed programmes are changing the current mindset of the students for math from complex to concept based and develop a liking towards the subject. The company has taken its unique concept across the country while reaching to around 40 schools, 35,000 students and 500 trained teachers. Hence, talking about innovating way of learning maths and his decision to embark on this journey of making maths simple and yet fun Divesh Bhatija, Founder, Dinasim Learning spoke to Educationbiz.com.
Dinasim is born out of what needs in Maths learning?
Founded in 2012, Dinasim was conceptualized on the need of the students to learn the application of Mathematics. The foundation of this innovative teaching aid is to get the students to enjoy maths while learning and enabling students to look at the subject beyond textbooks and exams.
How do you help students to look at the subject beyond textbooks?
At Dinasim we focus on sub–conscious learning of a child, wherein seemingly difficult concepts of math become obvious phenomena. A ‘No Textbook’ culture with active participation of students makes mathematics fun. This helps in changing the current mindset of the students for math from complex to concept based and develop a liking towards the subject.
How have you customised your learning?
Teaching maths through the age-old technique of theory is what makes it difficult for kids to remember the concept as they end up mugging up the subject. We have combined teaching with games and drill the concept without forcing it to be learned.
We conduct a series of workshops for students in schools, which are customized as per need and preferences. Learning is made fun for students which involves indoor and outdoor games, also there is assessment done to evaluate their learning. Our module ensures that there is engagement with teachers throughout the year to innovate various topics. We also provide customized teaching aid to schools.
Which are the various programmes you have?
We have four programmes namely Power Math, Faculty Clinic, Offline Assessment and Math Clinic. Power Math is a ‘No Texbook’ ideology to kickstart the workshop designed for students. Faculty Clinic introduces sub-conscious learning to the faculty and provides solutions to them to engage with students productively. Offline Assessment is design interactive worksheets for students that develop real life case studies with math woven to the core. And in Math Clinic soon we will be offering customized programmes to individual students.
What led you to venture into teaching maths differently?
When I went to study abroad I realized the major difference in teaching techniques and I felt to do something about the same. I realized that maths is the biggest asset and while normally people dread the subject, it is something that I enjoyed the most. Hence, I decided to embark on this journey of making maths simple and fun.
I was driven by passion for teaching from childhood. I was always involved in teaching activities in school and college. After the brief stint in the corporate world, I felt my calling was in creating unique concepts and sharing it with the younger generation for a better future, thus Dinasim Learning was found.
What is your current presence with schools, students and courses?
In 2012 we began with starting 3 schools, having 2500 students and 1 course from thereon in 2017 we have reached to around 40 schools across the country, 35,000 students. We have 6 specialised courses.
We are currently bootstrapped and have funded our own operations.
What are the challenges in teaching maths?
There is a lack of acceptance from school and parents. Since this is a never heard before concept, the openness to look at something new is a challenge. But once the kids tried it, they start going home and talking about the same then it starts falling in place.
What are your future expansion plans?
Our plan is to grow to 100-150 schools from 40 schools where we are currently and with UnMath Box and Express Entrepreneurship. We target to cater to over 100,000 students from 35,000 as of now. We are also planning to cater to Dubai, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh institutes soon.
