It has been some weeks since the Guyana Chronicle launched its Master Mind Quiz Corner and in their unabashed, as is the disposition of children, several students have shared their views of the initiative – views that encapsulate both appreciation and criticisms as seen fit by the participating youngsters. The Master Mind Quiz Corner is an innovative and interactive online forum for primary school children preparing for the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA).
Stella Maris Primary’s Niarie McKenzie said the questions that make up the quiz are very relevant and take learning at the primary level to another level.
“We learn these things in school, but with the game it teaches you to do more with what you know. You have to think fast and that is good,” she said.
The youngster added that the development of the ability for fast thinking is a plus for Master Mind.
Young Noah Rajak from Eccles Primary reiterated similar sentiments and told the Guyana Chronicle that Master Mind is a good educational concept.
“It is a good concept. It boost what we learn in school and is a good opportunity for us to learn in a different way,” Rajak said.
His classmate, Arriefa Juman, said the development of different skills is supported by Master Mind.
“We read and understand and have to answer quickly. It is a lot of things, reading, comprehension and other development for us,” she said.
Graham’s Hall Primary’s Rajiv Singh had one simple thing to say, that Master Mind is a fun way to learn.
According to Montrose Primary’s Vani Ramnarain the game is fun and challenging and one of the best things available for students preparing for the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) examinations.
St. Agnes Primary’s Tremassa Fraser told the Guyana Chronicle that the best feature of the game is the Homework Helper.
The homework helper feature allows children to post challenging homework questions online and receive a feedback from other students.
“When you have tough questions to deal with by yourself you go to someone or to the internet. Having someone to actually help is always better and with Master Mind it is simpler to find a helper,” she said.
Young DaQwan King from St. Margaret’s Primary proffered the view that while the game is a good initiative it should be more engaging forum to both grasp and keep the attention of those playing.
He said, “It can be better if it is more interactive.”
To date over 50 students have been playing the game and the general consensus from the young players is that the Master Mind Quiz Corner offers a plethora of opportunities, both to further development in academics and —-
Students between the ages of 10-12 years of age are eligible and to become a player they have to get a copy of the Guyana Chronicle newspaper, fill out the coupon and send it in. The entry forms can be sent either directly to the Guyana Chronicle (Lama Avenue) or through your respective schools, but must be sent with the written consent of parents/guardians.
Once received, an account will be created and the player will then be contacted with the information. The players earn points in the game, each question being worth a point once answered correctly. The players are given 60 questions to answer every day and to date there are some 2,000 questions that have been developed with the support of NCERD. At the end of every quarter, the players have their scores tallies and the highest scorers win prizes.
Teachers that have spoken to the Guyana Chronicle agree that the new initiative will help improve results in the key areas, English, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies.
At the launch Education Minister Shaik Baksh made it clear that the Ministry of Education is fully supportive of the initiative and suggested that in time the site’s content will be expanded to reach Grades Two and Four.
The vision behind the initiative is to stimulate thinking, encourage and challenge students, evaluate and offer general practice in the areas of English, Mathematic, Integrated Science, Social Studies and General Knowledge. Through this undertaking more children are expected to: be educated about Guyana and other current events; have their computer and creative skills enhanced; be exposed to culturally-appropriate alternative online activities; and develop healthy life skills.