Have you ever wondered why one should learn HCF and LCM or thought about the use of learning Quadratic equations? Tired of finding the GP? Felt Mathematics was boring? Scary? Confusing? Never understood integers properly? It is high time such feelings ended, thanks to Prof Venkata Subba Rao of the Academy for Creative Teaching (ACT), Bangalore.

Vyasa Learning Programme

Rao has developed a unique programme in Mathematics called Vyasa Learning Programme (VLP) which makes the concepts clear and at the same time, allows students solve problems 10 to 15 times faster!

Says Rao, once Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “If you learn only methods, you will be tied to your methods. But if you learn principles, you can devise your own methods.” I made such an effort and devised several methods simultaneously to solve a problem. The VLP simplifies conceptual understanding in Mathematics using stories and activities for every topic and enhances the speed and accuracy of the student, he points out.

“If you solve a problem quickly, it is a trick, if you understand the reason behind the trick then it is mathematics,” says Rao. Techniques used in the VLP develop confidence among students. With the deep understanding of concepts, Maths never seems to be difficult. The VLP’s easy and quick verification techniques ensure speed and accuracy, inculcate critical thinking, logical thinking and lateral thinking. The programme develops excellent analytical abilities, helping students excel in the competitive examinations like NTSE, Maths Olympiad and others.

Using Vedic Mathematics

VLP uses the inputs of vedic mathematics and makes the concept learning very simple. More often concepts are learned through various interesting mathematical stories and activities. According to Rao, no student will ever forget basic concept if he/she masters VLP.

He explains, “VLP is committed to ensuring that students gain thorough competence in problem-solving, reasoning and proof, communication, connections, and representation, with regard to whatever mathematical content they are studying. After learning the techniques, the students will realise mathematics is both a tool and a way of thinking that can be used to address problems in the world.”

Many students find mathematics difficult because they feel that there is only one method to solve the problem. But VLP provides several methods to solve the same problem. This gives an option for the students to use the easiest possible method.

Taking care of mistakes

Most students complain about silly mistakes they commit in exams, resulting in scoring lower grades. This happens as they will not have enough time to verify their results. VLP apparently has very simple and quick verification techniques with which they (students) can verify their results in a few seconds and score higher grades by avoiding such mistakes.

Sometimes children find Maths difficult. They do not show interest in simple problems involving multiplication, division, subtraction. Sometimes, mathematics becomes boring for them, simply because they find it hard. Numerals greater than 5 are converted into 5 or less than 5. So, “entire arithmetic becomes a child’s play in VLP.”
VLP is considered to be very helpful for all the competitive examinations  since it increases the speed of calculations. The programme has two levels; the first, Foundation Course, from fifth standard and above; and the second level, from fifth to ninth standard. The course structure of the VLP is integrated with the school curriculum from class V to IX for all boards - CBSE, ICSCE and state board. VLP’s course materials and work books are unique. They are interactive and effective. The VLP brings back these forgotten techniques of ancient India and modifies the same according to modern method of maths learning.

The ACT has envisaged two schemes to popularise the VLP. First, they adopt schools and the staff of the ACT will train teachers, who in turn, teach students. One a hour a week in the regular syllabus is prescribed to teach the VLP. Second, the ACT has a few centres to train teachers. The trained teachers in turn teach the techniques in the classrooms.

For details contact:  Academy For Creative Teaching at phone: 080-4169 7855/e-mail: vlp@actedu.in