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Mathematics and computer-aided learning.

Article Excerpt
Abstract

This study examines two groups (one group as a control) of secondary school students and studies the effects of using the computer as a tool for teaching and learning on their performances. A mathematical teaching and learning tool, TRANSLAB is developed and evaluated with the students. One group of student follows the same content in a classroom-led instructional setting while the other group used the TRANSLAB tool for learning the same content. At the end of the experiment, both groups are tested using a common test paper and student feedbacks are obtained via survey forms. We conclude that there is no significant difference in the performance of the students subjected to both approaches. However, the pilot students who used the computer-aided tool displayed more confidence in translation concepts and more positive attitudes towards mathematics.

Introduction

With the traditional way of teaching Mathematics especially the Transformation topics, we have noticed that many students had difficulties in understanding the whole concept itself. The transformation topics deal with subtopics like rotation, reflection, translation, enlargement, sheer and stretch. Transformation, for instance essentially deals with finding the geometrical position of an object when it is displaced, or its new size when it is enlarged by a multiplying factor. Moreover, an assessment given to the Form V students of the Manilall Doctor State Secondary School in Mauritius showed that the majority of students were unable to achieve the passing mark, out of 30 students only five passed. In line with the Government vision of Mauritius becoming a cyber-island and the School Information Technology Project (SITP), which is about equipping the 600 primary and secondary schools of Mauritius with networked computer labs and computers running educational software, this study aims to investigate how technology can be used to effectively help students in understanding concepts better and in a more innovative way. This study is therefore designed to investigate whether computer-aided learning will help students learn and perform better than when they are taught in traditional classroom settings. We also aim to see students' responses and motivation towards using computers as a tool to help them in enhancing their learning experience. In this context, a mathematical teaching and learning tool, TRANSLAB is developed and evaluated with the students. One group of student follows the content in a classroom-led instructional setting while the other group used the TRANSLAB tool for learning the same content. At the end of the experiment, both groups are tested using a common test paper and student feedback is obtained via survey forms.

Computer Aided Learning (CAL): Application to Mathematics

Computer-aided learning (CAL), which is becoming widely available as...

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