Sunday 02 March 2025
A team of researchers has made a significant breakthrough in improving mathematics education for students in Kenyan slums. By providing tablets to community libraries and allowing students to earn cryptocurrency, known as SmileyCoins, they have seen unprecedented participation and performance.
The program began when the University of Iceland’s Science Institute partnered with local organizations to distribute tablets to selected libraries. The tablets were loaded with a math-drilling system called tutor-web, which provides exercises tailored to individual students’ levels of understanding. Students earn SmileyCoins by completing drills and can use these coins to purchase tablets.
The results have been astonishing. Eleven libraries with over 1,300 students opted for the program in 2021, causing it to run at full capacity. Of those students, 450 earned enough SmileyCoins to buy their own tablets, which is no small feat considering many of them were struggling students.
But what’s even more remarkable is that the students didn’t just complete the drills out of obligation – they actually learned from doing so. The tutor-web system provides detailed feedback on student answers, and over 92% of respondents said they learned something new while using it.
The program has also had a profound impact on gender equality in education. Traditionally, girls’ schools have been underrepresented in math and science programs, but the SmileyCoin initiative has helped to bridge this gap. The disparity in gender participation seen in the early stages of the program led the organizers to take steps to include more girls’ schools and create separate divisions within libraries.
One of the most striking findings is that even students who initially joined the program just for the chance to earn coins ended up learning from it as well. This suggests that the system’s gamification approach – using rewards like SmileyCoins to motivate students – can be an effective way to engage reluctant learners.
The researchers hope that their work will have far-reaching implications for education in Africa and beyond. By providing access to technology and innovative teaching methods, they believe they can help level the playing field for students who might otherwise struggle to get a good education.
As the program continues to grow and evolve, it’s clear that the future of math education is looking brighter than ever – especially for those who need it most.
Cite this article: “Smiling Towards Better Math Education”, The Science Archive, 2025.
Mathematics, Education, Kenya, Tablets, Cryptocurrency, Smileycoins, Tutor-Web, Learning, Gender Equality, Gamification
