Selection and evaluation of mobile mathematical learning applications

摘要

The poor performance of learners in mathematics in South Africa is seriously hampering the ability of Higher Education Institutions to provide the required number of science, technology, engineering and mathematics graduates. It has been confirmed by various studies that the use of mathematics learning apps offers a wide range of benefits to learners. A current problem experienced in South Africa is that more than 50% of parents report that they are having trouble in searching for and finding appropriate mathematical learning apps for their children. The aim of this paper is twofold; firstly, guidelines are presented of how two online platforms can be used by parents and educators to find appropriate mathematical learning apps for learners; secondly, the paper reports on how learners evaluated some of these apps that were recommended by the two online platforms. A quantitative research methodology, using a purposive sampling technique, was employed where data was gathered in 2016 from sixty children, aged 7 to 12, from selected schools in one of South Africa's provinces. The results revealed that Balefire Labs and Common Sense Media are two online platforms that provide the most comprehensive rating and evaluation system for mathematical learning apps. Results further indicate that the apps that were highly recommended by these two online platforms received a statistically significant higher evaluation score from learners. In addition, learners wanted to continue using many of the mathematical learning apps that were recommended by the two online platforms. The contribution that this study is making towards engineering education is that it is providing teachers and educators with a methodology to use in selecting pedagogically sound and appropriate mathematical learning apps that may better prepare learners for entry into engineering courses.