Campus
Gainesville
Publication date
6-15-2021
Publisher
International Journal on Social and Education Sciences
Book or Journal Information
https://doi.org/10.46328/ijonses.121
Keywords
Computer-based programs, Elementary mathematics, Student motivation, Problem solving, Computer-assisted instruction
Abstract
Teaching mathematics involves a variety of techniques and approaches in order to reach students’ academic needs in a way that aids them in achieving at the level required by state standards. One of the ways that educators are meeting the needs of their students is through using computer-based programs. In this study, 17 fifth grade students were placed into two groups and assigned computerbased programs. One program, MobyMax, offered students scaffolding measures to aid in concept development. The other program, IXL, offered students detailed feedback in response to their answer submissions. This study was designed to determine the impact of the features of the two computer-based programs on student achievement through problem solving and their level of motivation. Students in both groups experienced gains in problem-solving ability on average, while it appeared that those who received instruction through MobyMax benefitted more. Time spent on the program did not appear to be a contributing factor to gain score for problem solving. And student motivation showed little change throughout using either computer-based program.
Comparing computer-based programs’ impact on problem solving ability and motivation.
Teaching mathematics involves a variety of techniques and approaches in order to reach students’ academic needs in a way that aids them in achieving at the level required by state standards. One of the ways that educators are meeting the needs of their students is through using computer-based programs. In this study, 17 fifth grade students were placed into two groups and assigned computerbased programs. One program, MobyMax, offered students scaffolding measures to aid in concept development. The other program, IXL, offered students detailed feedback in response to their answer submissions. This study was designed to determine the impact of the features of the two computer-based programs on student achievement through problem solving and their level of motivation. Students in both groups experienced gains in problem-solving ability on average, while it appeared that those who received instruction through MobyMax benefitted more. Time spent on the program did not appear to be a contributing factor to gain score for problem solving. And student motivation showed little change throughout using either computer-based program.