Hello! My name is Alisa, and I’m currently a 9th grader taking my first year of Cambridge International AS/A- level Mathematics with Pamoja Education
Let me first tell you a story of my fortuitous encounter with Pamoja. Ever since my childhood, I have always been fascinated by the multitude of significant changes technology has brought about in this world.
After all, in the mere span of a century, technology has already become an inseparable part of our lives – we use it for all kinds of different purposes on a daily basis to make our lives more convenient; improve communication and entertainment; improve access to information; enhance methods of travelling and advance healthcare.
I strongly believe that from here and then on, technology will only become increasingly prevalent in our lives. Thus, over the course of the past eight years, I have learnt to build and program robots, and the importance of problem-solving skills – thinking, planning and executing logically in response.
My passion for computer science
However, it was only three years ago, in sixth grade, when I first discovered my passion for Computer Science. I started learning programming through many different languages such as Java and C++. But I realised a problem. Regardless of how many techniques and skills I could learn for programming, it would be useless without its by-product, mathematics, which was crucial to write my algorithms.
In fact, I later learnt that obtaining a computer science degree required learning college algebra, statistics, calculus I and calculus II.
I knew that simply learning school Mathematics, which prepared students for the Cambridge IGCSE exams, would not be enough; I needed to study in advance. This meant taking the Cambridge International AS & A Level Mathematics.
Learning maths online
This brought me to the next question: “How?” I could not study this during my school Mathematics class as it covers the fundamental Additional Mathematics syllabus. I then thought of going to a learning centre, but that meant that I had to follow the pace of other students as well.
Consequently, I thought of learning under a private tutor, but I had personally experienced the feeling of obligation to go to tutoring sessions rather than actually enjoying them. I soon heard about online learning, and with the natural disposition I had toward technology, I did not hesitate to try it out.
Now, after having experienced the online Pamoja course for a semester, I can say, with firm conviction, that it was the right choice.
Learn more about Alisa’s experience in her next blog post!
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