Abstract
Primary school students have trouble understanding concepts related to fractions. On the other hand, technology constantly provides interesting tools that stimulate students' interest and foster learning. Among these, tangible user interfaces allow users to interact with digital applications through the manipulation of everyday objects. Given that conventional tangible materials are already used in the teaching of fractions, the study at hand presents the results of a project in which their impact on learning was compared to that of materials digitally enhanced with the use of tangible user interfaces. The results indicated that the learning outcomes were better for the group of students who used the latter. Moreover, students' enjoyment was greater. However, there were no differences in terms of motivation, ease-of-use, and subjective learning effectiveness. The results can be attributed to both the characteristics of tangible user interfaces and the teaching framework that was followed. Nevertheless, the educational potential of tangible user interfaces has to be further explored.
Similar content being viewed by others
Explore related subjects
Discover the latest articles, news and stories from top researchers in related subjects.Data availability
The data processed in this paper is available when required to authors.
References
Abrahams, D. (2018). The efficacy of service-learning in students ’ engagements with music technology. Min Ad Israel Studies in Musicology Online, 15(2), 164–77.
Aliustaoğlu, F., Tuna, A., & Biber, A. C. (2018). The misconceptions of sixth grade secondary school students on fractions. International Electronic Journal of Elementary Education, 10(5), 591–599. https://doi.org/10.26822/iejee.2018541308
Almukadi, W., & Boy, G. A. (2016). Enhancing collaboration and facilitating children’s learning using tuis: A human-centered design approach. In P. Zaphiris & A. Ioannou (Eds.), Learning and collaboration technologies: third international conference, lct 2016, held as part of hci international 2016, toronto, on, canada, july 17-22, 2016, proceedings (pp. 105–114). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-39483-1_10
Antle, A. N. (2013). Exploring how children use their hands to think: An embodied interactional analysis. Behaviour & Information Technology, 32(9), 938–954. https://doi.org/10.1080/0144929X.2011.630415
Aydogan, A., & Aydogan, S. K. (2020). The effectiveness of teaching English with Makey Makey in children with autism spectrum disorder. International E-Journal of Advances in Education., 6(16), 131–140. https://doi.org/10.18768/ijaedu.616018
Barsalou, L. W. (2008). Grounded cognition. Annual Review of Psychology, 59, 617–645. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.psych.59.103006.093639
Behr, M. J., Lesh, R., Post, T., & Silver, E. A. (1983). Rational number concepts. In R. Lesh & M. Landau (Eds.), Acquisition of mathematics concepts and processes (pp. 91–125). Academic Press.
Beyranevand, M. L. (2014). Quick reads: The different representations of rational numbers—A good idea in a small package. Mathematics Teaching in the Middle School, 19(6), 382–385. https://doi.org/10.5951/mathteacmiddscho.19.6.0382
Biagi, F., & Loi, M. (2013). Measuring ICT use and learning outcomes: Evidence from recent econometric studies. European Journal of Education, 48(1), 28–42. https://doi.org/10.1111/ejed.12016
Bruner, J. S., & Kenney, H. (1966). The development of the concepts of order and proportion in children. Studies in cognitive growth. Wiley.
Carbonneau, K. J., Marley, S. C., & Selig, J. P. (2013). A meta-analysis of the efficacy of teaching mathematics with concrete manipulatives. Journal of Educational Psychology, 105(2), 380. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0031084
Chaliampalias, R, Chronaki, A, & Kamea, A (2016). Tangible User Interfaces in early year mathematical education: An experimental study.In: Proceedings of the Hellenic Conference on Innovating STEM Education. Retrieved from https://stemeducation.upatras.gr/histem2016/assets/files/histem2016_submissions/histem2016_paper_17.pdf
Chen, C. W. J., & Lo, K. M. J. (2019). From teacher-designer to student-researcher: A study of attitude change regarding creativity in STEAM education by using Makey Makey as a platform for human-centred design instrument. Journal for STEM Education Research, 2(1), 75–91. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41979-018-0010-6
Choosri, N., Pookao, C., Swangtrakul, N., & Atkin, A. (2017). Tangible interface game for stimulating child language cognitive skill. IADIS International Journal on WWW/Internet, 15(2), 17–31.
Christou, K. P., & Vamvakoussi, X. (2021). Natural number bias on evaluations of the effect of multiplication and division: The role of the type of numbers. Mathematics Education Research Journal. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13394-021-00398-3
Cohen, J. (2013). Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203771587
Deringöl, Y. (2019). Misconceptions of primary school students about the subject of fractions: Views of primary teachers and primary pre-service teachers. International Journal of Evaluation and Research in Education (IJERE), 8(1), 29. https://doi.org/10.11591/ijere.v8i1.16290
Di Fuccio, R., & Mastroberti, S. (2018). Tangible user interfaces for multisensory storytelling at school: A study of acceptability. Qwerty-Open and Interdisciplinary Journal of Technology, Culture and Education, 13(1), 62–75.
Eguchi, A (2016). Computational thinking with educational robotics. In: Proceedings of the Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference, 79–84. Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE)
Faul, F., Erdfelder, E., Lang, A. G., & Buchner, A. (2007). G* Power 3: A flexible statistical power analysis program for the social, behavioral, and biomedical sciences. Behavior Research Methods, 39(2), 175–191. https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03193146
Fleck, S, Baraudon, C, Frey, J, Lainé, T, & Hachet, M (2018). "Teegi's so cute!" assessing the pedagogical potential of an interactive tangible interface for schoolchildren. In: Proceedings of the 17th ACM Conference on Interaction Design and Children, 143–156. ACM. https://doi.org/10.1145/3202185.3202731
Flores, M. M., Hinton, V., & Strozier, S. D. (2014). Teaching subtraction and multiplication with regrouping using the concrete-representational-abstract sequence and strategic instruction model. Learning Disabilities Research & Practice, 29(2), 75–88. https://doi.org/10.1111/ldrp.12032
Fokides, E., Atsikpasi, P., Kaimara, P., & Deliyannis, I. (2019). Let players evaluate serious games. Design and validation of the Serious Games Evaluation Scale. ICGA Journal, 41(3), 116–137. https://doi.org/10.3233/ICG-190111
Fokides, E., & Papoutsi, A. (2020). Using Makey-Makey for teaching electricity to primary school students. A pilot study. Education and Information Technologies, 25(2), 1193–1215. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-019-10013-5
Freudenthal, H. (2012). Mathematics as an educational task. Springer.
Furner, J. M., & Worrell, N. L. (2017). The importance of using manipulatives in teaching math today. Transformations, 3(1), 2.
George, L (2017). Children’s learning of the partitive quotient fraction sub-construct and the elaboration of the don’t need boundary feature of the Pirie-Kieren theory [Unpublished doctoral thesis]. University of Southampton.
Hattie, J., & Timperley, H. (2007). The power of feedback. Review of Educational Research, 77(1), 81–112. https://doi.org/10.3102/003465430298487
Hershman, A, Nazare, J, Qi, J, Saveski, M, Roy, D, & Resnick, M. (2018). Light it up: using paper circuitry to enhance low-fidelity paper prototypes for children. In: Proceedings of the 17th ACM Conference on Interaction Design and Children, 365–372. https://doi.org/10.1145/3202185.3202758
Hijón-Neira, R., Pérez-Marin, D., Pizarro, C., & Connolly, C. (2020). The effects of a visual execution environment and Makey Makey on primary school children learning introductory programming concepts. IEEE Access, 8, 217800–217815. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2020.3041686
Holm, M. E., Hannula, M. S., & Björn, P. M. (2017). Mathematics-related emotions among finnish adolescents across different performance levels. Educational Psychology, 37(2), 205–218. https://doi.org/10.1080/01443410.2016.1152354
Hsu, Y. C., Ching, Y. H., & Baldwin, S. (2018). Physical computing for STEAM education: Maker-educators’ experiences in an online graduate course. Journal of Computers in Mathematics and Science Teaching, 37(1), 53–67.
Incikabi, L. (2018). Sixth grade students skills of using multiple representations in addition and subtraction operations in fractions. lnternational Electronic Journal of Elementary Education, 10(4), 463–474. https://doi.org/10.26822/iejee.2018438137
Johnson, R, Shum, V, Rogers, Y, & Marquardt, N (2016). Make or shake: An empirical study of the value of making in learning about computing technology. In Proceedings of the 15th International Conference on Interaction Design and Children (pp. 440–451). ACM. https://doi.org/10.1145/2930674.2930691
Julia, J., Iswara, P. D., & Supriyadi, T. (2019). Redesigning and implementing traditional musical instrument in integrated technology classroom. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning, 14(10), 75–87. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijet.v14i10.10197
Kolar, V. M., Hodnik Čadež, T., & Vula, E. (2018). Primary teacher students' understanding of fraction representational knowledge in Slovenia and Kosovo. Center for Educational Policy Studies Journal, 8(2), 71. https://doi.org/10.26529/cepsj.342
Kontas, H. (2016). The effect of manipulatives on mathematics achievement and attitudes of secondary school students. Journal of Education and Learning, 5(3), 10–20. https://doi.org/10.5539/jel.v5n3p10
Lamon, S. J. (2007). Rational numbers and proportional reasoning. In F. K. Lester (Ed.), Second handbook of research on Mathematics teaching and learning (pp. 629–667). Information Age.
Lin, C. Y., & Chang, Y. M. (2014). Increase in physical activities in kindergarten children with cerebral palsy by employing MaKey–MaKey-based task systems. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 35(9), 1963–1969. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2014.04.028
Lin, S. Y., Chien, S. Y., Hsiao, C. L., Hsia, C. H., & Chao, K. M. (2020). Enhancing computational thinking capability of preschool children by game-based smart toys. Electronic Commerce Research and Applications, 44, 101011. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.elerap.2020.101011
Lindgren, R., Tscholl, M., Wang, S., & Johnson, E. (2016). Enhancing learning and engagement through embodied interaction within a mixed reality simulation. Computers & Education, 95, 174–187. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2016.01.001
Marín-Marín, J. A., Costa, R. S., Moreno-Guerrero, A. J., & López-Belmonte, J. (2020). Makey makey as an interactive robotic tool for high school students ’learning in multicultural contexts. Education Sciences, 10(9), 239. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci10090239
Markovits, Z., & Sowder, J. (1994). Developing number sense: An intervention study in grade 7. Journal for Research in Mathematics Education. https://doi.org/10.5951/jresematheduc.25.1.0004
Matthews, S, Boden, M, & Visnovska, J (2018). Engaging pre-service non-specialist teachers in teaching Mathematics using embodied technology tools. Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia.
Mazana, M. Y., Montero, C. S., & Casmir, R. O. (2018). Investigating Students’ Attitude towards Learning Mathematics. International Electronic Journal of Mathematics Education. https://doi.org/10.29333/iejme/3997
Middleton, J. A., Helding, B., Megowan-Romanowicz, C., Yang, Y., Yanik, B., Kim, A., & Oksuz, C. (2015). A longitudinal study of the development of rational number concepts and strategies in the middle grades. In J. A. Middleton, Jinfa Cai, & Stephen Hwang (Eds.), Large-scale studies in Mathematics education (pp. 265–289). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-07716-1_12
Molina-Villarroel, J. P., Guevara, C., & Suarez-Abrahante, R. (2021). Gamification for teaching - learning mathematics in students of basic education. In D. Russo, T. Ahram, W. Karwowski, G. Di Bucchianico, & R. Taiar (Eds.), Intelligent Human Systems Integration 2021: Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Intelligent Human Systems Integration (IHSI 2021): Integrating People and Intelligent Systems, February 22-24, 2021, Palermo, Italy (pp. 235–240). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-68017-6_35
Morita, Y., & Setozaki, N. (2017). Learning by tangible learning system in science class. In M. Kurosu (Ed.), Human-Computer Interaction. Interaction Contexts: 19th International Conference, HCI International 2017, Vancouver, BC, Canada, July 9-14, 2017, Proceedings, Part II (pp. 341–352). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-58077-7_27
Morrissey, K., & Hallett, D. (2018). Cardinal and ordinal aspects of finger-counting habits predict different individual differences in embodied numerosity. Journal of Numerical Cognition, 4(3), 613–634. https://doi.org/10.5964/jnc.v4i3.138
Moseley, B., & Okamoto, Y. (2010). Identifying fourth graders’ understanding of rational number representations: A mixed methods approach. School Science and Mathematics, 108(6), 238–250. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1949-8594.2008.tb17834.x
Moyer, P. S. (2001). Are we having fun yet? How teachers use manipulatives to teach mathematics. Educational Studies in Mathematics, 47(2), 175–197. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1014596316942
Mpiladeri, M, Palaigeorgiou, G, & Lemonidis, C (2016). Fractangi: A tangible learning environment for learning about fractions with an interactive number line. In Proceedings of the 13th International Conference on Cognition and Exploratory Learning in Digital Age, 157–164. International Association for Development of the Information Society.
Nathoo, A., Bekaroo, G., Gangabissoon, T., & Santokhee, A. (2020). Using tangible user interfaces for teaching concepts of internet of things: Usability and learning effectiveness. Interactive Technology and Smart Education, 17(2), 133–158. https://doi.org/10.1108/ITSE-09-2019-0061
Önal, H., & Yorulmaz, A. (2017). The errors made by primary school fourth graders on fractions. Journal of Research in Education and Society, 4(1), 98–113.
Palaigeorgiou, G., Tsapkini, D., Bratitsis, T., & Xefteris, S. (2017). Embodied learning about time with tangible clocks. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Interactive Mobile Communication, Technologies and Learning, 477–486. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-75175-7_47
Palaigeorgiou, G., Tsolopani, X., Liakou, S., & Lemonidis, C. (2018). Movable, resizable and dynamic number lines for fraction learning in a mixed reality environment. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Interactive Collaborative Learning, 118–129. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-11935-5_12
Pedersen, P. L., & Bjerre, M. (2021). Two conceptions of fraction equivalence. Educational Studies in Mathematics, 107(1), 135–157. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10649-021-10030-7
Pérez-Marín, D., Hijón-Neira, R., Romero, A., & Cruz, S. (2019). Is the use of Makey Makey Helpful to teach programming concepts to primary education students? International Journal of Online Pedagogy and Course Design, 9(2), 63–77. https://doi.org/10.4018/IJOPCD.2019040105
Piaget, J. (2013). Child’s conception of number: Selected works. Routledge.
Pires, A. C., González Perilli, F., Bakała, E., Fleisher, B., Sansone, G., & Marichal, S. (2019). Building blocks of mathematical learning: Virtual and tangible manipulatives lead to different strategies in number composition. Frontiers in Education, 4, 81. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2019.00081
Ramadianti, W., Priatna, N., & Kusnandi, K. (2019). Misconception analysis of junior high school student in interpreting fraction. Journal for the Education of Gifted Young Scientists. https://doi.org/10.17478/jegys.631567
Rogers, Y., Paay, J., Brereton, M., Vaisutis, K. L., Marsden, G., & Vetere, F. (2014). Never too old: engaging retired people inventing the future with MaKey MaKey. In Proceedings of the SIGCHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, 3913–3922. SIGCHI. https://doi.org/10.1145/2556288.2557184
Sapounidis, T., Demetriadis, S., Papadopoulos, P. M., & Stamovlasis, D. (2019). Tangible and graphical programming with experienced children: A mixed methods analysis. International Journal of Child-Computer Interaction, 19, 67–78. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcci.2018.12.001
Schettino, C. (2016). A framework for problem-based learning: Teaching mathematics with a relational problem-based pedagogy. Interdisciplinary Journal of Problem-Based Learning, 10(2), 12. https://doi.org/10.7771/1541-5015.1602
Shute, V. J. (2008). Focus on formative feedback. Review of Educational Research, 78(1), 153–189. https://doi.org/10.3102/0034654307313795
Siegler, R. S., Fazio, L. K., Bailey, D. H., & Zhou, X. (2013). Fractions: The new frontier for theories of numerical development. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 17(1), 13–19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tics.2012.11.004
Stafylidou, S., & Vosniadou, S. (2004). The development of students’ understanding of the numerical value of fractions. Learning and Instruction, 14(5), 503–518. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.learninstruc.2004.06.015
Stepan, K., Zeiger, J., Hanchuk, S., Del Signore, A., Shrivastava, R., Govindaraj, S., & Iloreta, A. (2017). Immersive virtual reality as a teaching tool for neuroanatomy. In International forum of allergy & rhinology, 7(10), 1006–1013.
Sun, P. C., Tsai, R. J., Finger, G., Chen, Y. Y., & Yeh, D. (2008). What drives a successful e-Learning? An empirical investigation of the critical factors influencing learner satisfaction. Computers & Education, 50(4), 1183–1202. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2006.11.007
Taber, K. S. (2018). The use of Cronbach’s alpha when developing and reporting research instruments in science education. Research in Science Education, 48(6), 1273–1296. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11165-016-9602-2
Tan, O. S. (2003). Problem-based learning innovation. Cengage Learning.
Tian, J., & Siegler, R. S. (2017). Fractions learning in children with mathematics difficulties. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 50(6), 614–620. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022219416662032
Vamvakoussi, X., Van Dooren, W., & Verschaffel, L. (2012). Naturally biased? In search for reaction time evidence for a natural number bias in adults. The Journal of Mathematical Behavior, 31(3), 344–355. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmathb.2012.02.001
Van den Heuvel-Panhuizen, M., & Drijvers, P. (2020). Realistic mathematics education. In S. Lerman (Ed.), Encyclopedia of mathematics education (pp. 713–717). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-15789-0_170
Vlachou, R., & Avgerinos, E. (2019). Current trend and studies on representations in mathematics: The case of fractions. International Journal of Mathematics Trends and Technology, 65(2), 54–72. https://doi.org/10.14445/22315373/IJMTT-V65I2P511
Wu, H. (2011). Teaching fractions according to the common core standards. American Mathematical Society.
Xefteris, S., & Palaigeorgiou, G. (2019). Mixing educational robotics, tangibles and mixed reality environments for the interdisciplinary learning of Geography and History. International Journal of Engineering Pedagogy, 9(2), 82–98. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijep.v9i2.9950
Yu, J., Zheng, C., Tamashiro, M. A., Gonzalez-Millan, C., & Roque, R. (2020). CodeAttach: engaging children in computational thinking through physical play activities. In Proceedings of the Fourteenth International Conference on Tangible, Embedded, and Embodied Interaction, 453–459. ACM https://doi.org/10.1145/3374920.3374972
Zacharia, Z. C., & Olympiou, G. (2011). Physical versus virtual manipulative experimentation in physics learning. Learning and Instruction, 21(3), 317–331. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.learninstruc.2010.03.001
Zaman, B., Abeele, V. V., Markopoulos, P., & Marshall, P. (2012). The evolving field of tangible interaction for children: The challenge of empirical validation. Personal and Ubiquitous Computing, 16, 367–378. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00779-011-0409-x
Zhou, Y., & Wang, M. (2015). Tangible user interfaces in learning and education. International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences, 2, 20–25. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-097086-8.92034-8
Zito, L., Cross, J. L., Brewer, B., Speer, S., Tasota, M., Hamner, E., Johnson, M., Lauwers, T., & Nourbakhsh, I. (2021). Leveraging tangible interfaces in primary school math: Pilot testing of the Owlet math program. International Journal of Child-Computer Interaction, 27, 100222. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcci.2020.100222
Funding
The study received no funding.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Contributions
All authors contributed equally to this work. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
Ethical statement
We hereby declare that this manuscript is the result of our independent creation under the reviewers’ comments. Except of the quoted contents, this manuscript does not contain any research achievements that have been published or written by other individuals or groups, we are the only authors of the manuscript. The legal responsibility of this statement shall be borne by us.
Additional information
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Appendices
Appendix 1
Links for the Scratch mini-applications developed for the project.
Appendix 2
Example questions in the evaluation tests.
Appendix 3
The questionnaire's items.
Factor | Item |
---|---|
Enjoyment | It was fun to use this tool* |
I felt bored while using this tool** | |
I enjoyed using this tool | |
I really enjoyed studying with this tool | |
I felt frustrated** | |
Subjective usefulness | I felt that this tool fostered my learning |
This tool was a much easier way to learn compared with the usual teaching | |
This tool made my learning more interesting | |
I felt that this tool helped me to increase my knowledge | |
I felt that I caught the basics of what I was taught with this tool | |
Ease of use | I think it was easy to learn how to use this tool |
I found this tool unnecessarily complex** | |
I think that most people will learn to use this tool very quickly | |
I needed to learn a lot of things before I could get going with this tool** | |
I felt that I needed help from someone else in order to use this tool because It was not easy for me to understand how to use it** | |
It was easy for me to become skillful at using this tool | |
Motivation | This tool did not hold my attention** |
When using this tool, I did not have the impulse to learn more about the learning subject** | |
The tool did not motivate me to learn** |
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Fokides, E., Alatzas, K. Using Digitally Enhanced Tangible Materials for Teaching Fractions: Results of a Project. Tech Know Learn 28, 1589–1613 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10758-022-09605-x
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10758-022-09605-x