Abstract
Teaching about fractions is a challenging topic for teachers since it includes complex conceptual content. The number line is a visual representation tool that seems to be effective for dealing with fractions. In this study, we aim at transforming the static uncontextualized paper-and-pencil number line into a practical, useful and dynamic measurement tool in an authentic gamified context. We present the mixed reality environment “Marathon of Fractions” which enables learners to position multiple number lines in any place of the augmented space and adjust their characteristics as they wish. The number lines are used for positioning athletes and other props on an augmented stadium. To evaluate our proposal, 28 6th grade students participated in groups of two in 14 sessions which lasted for about 45 min. At the end of each session, students were asked to complete a questionnaire about their experience while sixteen students also participated in brief interviews. Students assessed the environment as effective, enjoyable, innovative, helpful and expressive and claimed that it stole their attention for 45 min even though fraction learning is an unpopular subject matter. They also pinpointed as main advantages of the proposed environment the representational power of the interactive number lines, the authenticity of the environment, the feedback mechanism, the entertaining character of the activity and the collaboration required.
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Palaigeorgiou, G., Tsolopani, X., Liakou, S., Lemonidis, C. (2019). Movable, Resizable and Dynamic Number Lines for Fraction Learning in a Mixed Reality Environment. In: Auer, M., Tsiatsos, T. (eds) The Challenges of the Digital Transformation in Education. ICL 2018. Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, vol 917. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-11935-5_12
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