Abstract
Many schools invest in mobile technologies or actively promote their use through Bring Your Own Device (BYOD ) programs with the expectation that the use of such devices will improve student engagement and, as a result, improve student learning outcomes. However, there is little research to date that explores teacher and student perceptions of whether and how the use of mobile technologies within mathematics classrooms does indeed improve engagement with mathematics. This chapter draws on data from a small range of research projects investigating the use of mobile technologies and associated applications in the primary mathematics classroom. It uses a multidimensional view of engagement and the Framework for Engagement with Mathematics as a lens to re-analyse existing and new data. Issues relating to engagement and the use of mobile technologies will be explored within the context of classrooms where students and many of their teachers are now considered to be ‘digital natives’, and Information and Communication Technologies are an integral and ubiquitous part of their daily lives.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Attard, C. (2013). Introducing iPads into primary mathematics pedagogies: An exploration of two teachers’ experiences. Paper Presented at the Mathematics Education: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow (Proceedings of the 36th Annual Conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia), Melbourne.
Attard, C. (2014). “I don’t like it, I don’t love it, but I do it and I don’t mind”: Introducing a framework for engagement with mathematics. Curriculum Perspectives, 34(3), 1–14.
Attard, C. (2015). Introducing iPads into primary mathematics classrooms: Teachers’ experiences and pedagogies. In M. Meletiou-Mavrotheris, K. Mavrou, & E. Paparistodemou (Eds.), Integrating touch enabled and mobile devices into contemporary mathematics education (pp. 197–217). Hershey, PA: IGI Global.
Attard, C. (2016). Research evaluation of matific mathematics learning resources: Project report. Penrith, NSW: Western Sydney University. https://doi.org/10.4225/35/57f2f391015a4.
Attard, C., & Curry, C. (2012, July). Exploring the use of iPads to engage young students with mathematics. Paper presented at the Mathematics education: Expanding horizons, (Proceedings of the 35th Annual Conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia) Singapore.
Beavis, C., Muspratt, S., & Thompson, R. (2015). ‘Computer games can get your brain working’: Student experience and perceptions of digital games in the classroom. Learning, Media and Technology, 40(1), 21–42.
Bray, A., & Tangney, B. (2015). Enhancing student engagement through the affordances of mobile technology: a 21st century learning perspective on realistic mathematics education. Mathematics Education Research Journal, 28(1), 173–197.
Brigham, T. J. (2015). An introduction to gamification: Adding game elements for engagement. Medical References Services Quarterly, 34(4), 471–480.
Calder, N. S., & Campbell, A. (2016). Using mathematical apps with reluctant learners. In: Digital experiences in mathematics education. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40751-016-0011-y.
Chang, M., Evans, M. A., Kim, S., Norton, A., & Samur, Y. (2015). Differential effects of learning games on mathematics proficiency. Educational Media International, 52(1), 47–57.
Cristol, D., & Gimbert, B. (2014). Academic achievement in BYOD classrooms. Journal of Applied Learning Technology, 4(1), 24–30.
Fair Go Team NSW Department of Education and Training. (2006). School is for me: Pathways to student engagement. Sydney: NSW Department of Education and Training.
Fredricks, J. A., Blumenfeld, P. C., & Paris, A. H. (2004). School engagement: Potential of the concept, state of the evidence. Review of Educational Research, 74(1), 59–110.
Goehle, G., & Wagaman, J. (2016). The impact of gamification in web based homework. Problems, Resources, and Issues in Mathematics Undergraduate Studies, 26(6), 557–569.
Handal, B., Campbell, C., Cavanagh, M., & Petocz, P. (2016). Characterising the perceived value of mathematics educational apps in preservice teachers. Mathematics Education Research Journal, 28(1), 199–221.
Hickey, D. T. (2003). Engaged participation versus marginal nonparticipation: A stridently sociocultural approach to achievement motivation. The Elementary School Journal, 103(4), 401–429.
Hill, H. C., Ball, D. L., & Schilling, S. G. (2008). Unpacking pedagogical content knowledge: Conceptualising and measuring teachers’ topic-specific knowledge of students. Journal for Research in Mathematics Education, 39(4), 372–400.
Hilton, A. (2016). Engaging primary school students in mathematics: Can iPads make a difference? International Journal of Science and Mathematics Education. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10763-016-9771-5.
Hu, H., & Garimella, U. (2014). iPads for STEM teachers: A case study on perceived usefulness, perceived proficiency, intention to adopt, and integration in K-12 instruction. Journal of Educational Technology Development and Change, 7(1), 49–66.
Ingram, N., Williamson-Leadley, S., & Pratt, K. (2016). Showing and telling: Using tablet technology to engage students in mathematics. Mathematics Education Research Journal, 28(1), 123–147.
Kingsley, T. L., & Grabner-Hagen, M. M. (2015). Gamification: Questing to integrate content knowledge, literacy, and 21st-century learning. Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy, 59(1), 51–61.
Koehler, M. J., & Mishra, P. (2009). What is technological pedagogical content knowledge?. Contemporary Issues in Technology and Teacher Education, 9(1), 60–70.
Meletiou-Mavrotheris, M., Mavrou, K., & Paparistodemou, E. (2015). Preface Integrating touch-enabled and mobile devices into contemporary mathematics education (pp. xx–xxvii). IGI Global, Hershey, PA.
Muir, T., & Geiger, V. (2016). The affordances of using a flipped classroom approach in the teaching of mathematics: A case study of a grade 10 mathematics class. Mathematics Education Research Journal, 28(1), 149–171.
Munns, G., & Martin, A. J. (2005). It’s all about MeE: A motivation and engagement framework. Paper Presented at the Australian Association for Academic Research Focus Conference, Cairns. http://www.aare.edu.au/05pap/mun05400.pdf.
OECD. (2015). Students, computers and learning: Making the connection. Paris: pISA < OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/9789264239555-en.
Pierce, R., & Ball, L. (2009). Perceptions that may affect teachers’ intention to use technology in secondary mathematics classes. Educational Studies in Mathematics, 71(3), 299–317.
Selwyn, N., Potter, J., & Cranmer, S. (2009). Primary pupils’ use of information and communication technologies at school and home. British Journal of Educational Technology, 40(5), 919–932.
Shulman, L. S. (1986). Those who understand: Knowledge growth in teaching. American Educational Research Journal, 15(2), 4–14.
Zhang, M., Trussell, R., Gellegos, B., & Asam, R. (2015). Using math apps for improving student learning: An exploratory study in an inclusive fourth grade classroom. TechTrends, 59(2), 32–39.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2018 Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Attard, C. (2018). Mobile Technologies in the Primary Mathematics Classroom: Engaging or Not?. In: Calder, N., Larkin, K., Sinclair, N. (eds) Using Mobile Technologies in the Teaching and Learning of Mathematics. Mathematics Education in the Digital Era, vol 12. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-90179-4_4
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-90179-4_4
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-90178-7
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-90179-4
eBook Packages: EducationEducation (R0)