Learning Mathematics in an Authentic Mobile Environment: the Perceptions of Students

Authors

  • Nimer F. Baya'a Al-Qasemi Academic College of Education
  • Wajeeh M. Daher Al-Qasemi Academic College of Education

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3991/ijim.v3i0.813

Keywords:

Mobile phone learning, Middle school students, Perceptions

Abstract


This research reports an experiment which took place in an Arab middle school in Israel. The experiment was led by three pre-service teachers who were carrying out their final project in the field of teaching mathematics using mobile phones. The pre-service teachers worked with 32 eighth grade students to carry out authentic real life outdoor activities in the nature. We used discourse analysis and grounded theory to analyze the perceptions of the students regarding their mathematics learning using mobile phones. We found that the novelty of the experiment and the use of mobile phones in mathematics learning were the main characteristics perceived by the students as influencing their decision to join the experiment. Furthermore, the students perceived various qualities of the mathematics learning that were enabled by the use of mobile phones: (1) exploring mathematics independently (2) learning mathematics through collaboration and team work; where the collaboration is on equal terms (3) learning mathematics in a societal and humanistic environment (4) learning mathematics in authentic real life situations (5) visualizing mathematics and investigating it dynamically (6) carrying out diversified mathematical actions using new and advanced technologies (7) learning mathematics easily and efficiently. In the overall, the students were positively impressed by the potentialities and capabilities of the mobile phones used in the mathematics learning process. This indicates that mathematics education could benefit form utilizing these new technological tools.

Author Biographies

Nimer F. Baya'a, Al-Qasemi Academic College of Education

A supervisor of computers, ministry of education, Israel, and a senior lecturer in the computer department in Al-Qasemi, academic college of education

Wajeeh M. Daher, Al-Qasemi Academic College of Education

Head of mathematics department, and a senior lecturer in Al-Qasemi Academic College of Education

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Published

2009-07-23

How to Cite

Baya’a, N. F., & Daher, W. M. (2009). Learning Mathematics in an Authentic Mobile Environment: the Perceptions of Students. International Journal of Interactive Mobile Technologies (iJIM), 3, pp. 6–14. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijim.v3i0.813

Issue

Section

Special Focus Papers