How Might Apps Reshape the Mathematical Learning Experience?

Abstract

This chapter reports on how the use of mathematics apps has the potential to reshape the learning experience, a particular aspect of learning with apps that emerged from a research project examining the ways mobile technologies are used in primary-school mathematics. The chapter will consider a number of key themes related to student learning that have emerged through the research. When using some of the apps in the study, students used different digital tools within the app to solve word problems, while the affordances, including multi-representation, dynamic and haptic, made the learning experience different from when using pencil-and-paper technology. Other themes that were identified included: collaboration, socio-material assemblages, and personalisation. All of these appeared influential in the development of mathematical thinking. While the affordances of the mobile technologies are important, the teacher's pedagogical approach and the dialogue that the apps evoked were central in the learning.