Computers in mathematics learning

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to experience the use of computers to facilitate Mathematics learning within the constraints of Maltese schools. The research consists of three case studies. In the first study, that took place during a teaching practice at Stella Maris College, three Form II classes were taken to the computer room for one lesson every week. From these, two groups of three pupils each were chosen to participate in the second study. Each group attended three two-hour sessions based on the Logo software. The sessions were held at the resource centre of the University of Malta. The last study took place during a teaching practice in a girl's trade school. This time, only one computer was used as a day-to-day classroom resource. The experiences were evaluated through a qualitative analysis of the data collected. Three types of data were collected. On the first day of teaching practice a short questionnaire was administered, the aim of which was to investigate the pupils' attitudes towards Mathematics. The pupils were initiated into the practice of diary writing. A representative sample, consisting of twenty-three diaries collected at Stella Maris College and twenty-four collected at the girls' trade school, was analysed. The diaries were used to evaluate the pupils' attitudes towards the computer-based activities that had been tried out in class. In addition six audio-visual recordings were made during the study at the resource centre.