The contribution of the new technologies to learning mathematics
Lupu Costică*
Abstract
Any education, including mathematical education, has a double effect. On the one hand, the learner gains knowledge, on the other hand, he builds those skills which are engaged in work, develop the forces necessary to perform this education. Mathematical education builds thought. Of course, other actions are involved in building thought, but the role of Mathematical education is essential. The article presents the contribution of the new technologies to learning Mathematics by revealing the way in which online libraries and Internet sources of information may become relevant, once the students have successfully covered a program of computer-assisted education, as well as how Mathematical knowledge may be consolidated, applied and evaluated. This article is part of an empirical research on learning theories policies and practices of teaching mathematics with new technologies that will lead to the development of cognitive skills among students in solving problems.
1.Introduction
The hypothesis may be reduced to the following statement: achieving mathematical education by using the new information and communication technologies often represents a catalyst for changes in education, for creating mathematical thinking and building skills in solving mathematical problems.The results of the questionnaires applied in computer-assisted education reveal the fact that the educational process conducted by means of the new technologies is much more efficient than the traditional education methods, on condition that appropriate design is performed. From this hypothesis, there derived the following research objectives:
• identification of an approach to solving mathematical problems during pedagogical training days;
• conducting a systematic research upon the way in which logical thinking is formed through mathematical education;
• suggesting certain models for solving mathematical problems by using: analysis, synthesis, abstraction, generalization, concretization, comparison and analogy.
During the study, we have used the following research methods and techniques:
• the method of analyzing school documents elaborated in compliance with the information obtained by studying school documentation, for example: curricula, textbooks, selections, workbooks, notebooks;
• the comparative method: investigation and classification, evaluating documents, applying comparison to find proper solutions to the problems under study;
• the content analysis has enabled the comparison of results by recordings, drawings, etc., using quantitative techniques such as the schedule for using the AEL laboratory, diagrams, or qualitative techniques, semantic matrixes;
• observation during pedagogical training was a research method based on conducting lessons by using the new communication and information technologies. A relevant characteristic of the method is to record facts and phenomena from the students’ behaviour, without any5. Conclusions The analysis of the activities of the 300 students in the 1st-4th grades has shown that: the students who had been instructed with the help of computers tend to learn more in a shorter time; the students have obtained 15% higher marks in writing, 18% higher in Mathematics and 15% higher in reading. The students were able to identify the specific sources where they could find information on different subjects. The percentage of students who declared their interest in the disciplines they studied rose from 73,1% to 89,55. In middle school, 58% students from the 7th grade and 48% of students in the 8th grade consider that laptops provided support in elaborating papers of a higher quality and improving their attitude towards school. The students obtained results in the National Evaluation exam, for Mathematics and the Romanian Language, which were better than the results of other students from other schools in town. The students discovered that using technology in achieving mathematical education with a view to building mental operations and facilitating creative learning based on projects, leads to the building of cognition skills and develops a suitable behaviour in approaching the solving of mathematical problems. It may also motivate students who are not very fond of school, and teachers were made to change their views regarding their lesson planning activityinterference which might generate or alter them. The basic tool consisted of the observational sheet.
• the pedagogic research involved methods of mathematical statistics in its various stages, for example: criteria for measuring tools, processing the results obtained through informational methods and investigating the hypotheses. In the attempt to build skills in working with a computer, Internet programs and platforms, the focus should be on the process itself and also on knowledge, with the purpose of solving a series of problems occurring in everyday situations.By designing and conducting this experiment during pedagogical practice, the students have developed the following skills:
1. analysis, synthesis, abstraction and generalization of scientific/psycho-pedagogical information;
2. systematic organization and creative application of knowledge in the educational activity;
3. efficient communication and relating with students and educational partners;
4. autonomous use of information in the didactic and managerial activity;
5. identification and scientific solving of problems and situations from the socio-educational environment.
2. The efficiency of the new technologies
This study deals with:
- ways of approaching AEL lessons, according to contract no. 5469/29.08.2008, in mathematical education, in primary, middle and high-schools;
- performing systematic observation on the use of AEL laboratories during pedagogical training classes;
- suggesting methods for using the handbook AEL 6, Version 5.2, created by SIVECO, Romania;
- the impact of implementing a continuous training course for teachers from Bacău, with a view to building mathematical thinking and skills in approaching the solving of certain problems. The new information and communication technologies have supported schools in focusing especially upon the essential purpose of pedagogical training. The students’ and teachers’, namely the beneficiaries’ level of satisfaction regarding the results of the programmes of introducing the new technologies in education constitutes a relevant indicator of the positive impact of these programs. The new technologies often represent a catalyst for change in education, on different levels, but they alone cannot set the direction for change or for the most appropriate type of change.The most frequent difficulties related to the research upon e-learning programs are generally correlated with a lack of unitary vision upon the educational system and process and, therefore, a weak configuration of the implemented programme in terms of:
- harmonizing the ICT component with other reforming initiatives or with the training level required by change;
- integrating into the programme some interventions in other determining areas (curriculum content, evaluation, pedagogical training of the teaching staff);
- reviewing all the aspects related to computer-assisted training (educational soft, connectivity, training, equipment). The analysis and interpretation of the results of the e-learning programs conducted on a national and institutional level, as well as consideration of the evolving theoretical basis of the e-learning field may contribute to improving the strategic view through which decision factors are engaged in initiatives of updating the educational process, changing the educational systems and building a knowledge based society. The ICT classes introduced in the Romanian middle school education have been timely. They facilitate virtual and interactive learning experiences with the purpose of improving access to quality education. Equipping schools with ICT support has led to enhanced institutional communication and collaboration to the benefit of education, as well as improved information, managerial and didactic activities on the level of educational institutions. The 13 AEL packs existing in schools: Pack 1 – Primary education (285 lessons); Pack 2 – Mathematics grades V-VIII (82 lessons); Pack 3 – Mathematics grades IX-XII (61 lessons); Pack 4 – History (590 lessons); Pack 5 – Biology (294 lessons); Pack 6 – Ecology (67 lessons); Pack 7 – Sociology (76 lessons); Pack 8 – Civics (91 lessons); Pack 9 – Economy (10 lessons); Pack 10 – Logic (43 lessons); Pack 11 – Philosophy (55 lessons); Pack 12 – TIC (90 lessons); Pack 13 – Physics (256 lessons), have been supporting teachers in teaching-learning and evaluating mathematical knowledge. From the 2000 AEL lessons, 225 are for Mathematics. During the course of Mathematics Didactics for the initial training of teachers of Mathematics, the AEL handbook elaborated by SIVECO Romania was used. This contained information:
- for the guide on editing rights in the Library;
- for the guide on creating lessons;
- for entering the guide on adding resources;
- for entering the guide on creating lesson moments;
- for entering the guide on copying/moving.
Following the use of this information and the taking over of some models, the students have created programmes, teaching-learning and evaluation sheets on: - The Quadrilateral. Basic notions; - The Areas of Private Quadrilaterals;
- The Concave and Convex Quadrilateral; - The Parallelogram; - The Mutual Bisectors of a Parallelogram; - The Rectangle; - The Square; - The Rhomb; - The Trapezoid; - Classification of Trapezoids; - Angles; - Similarity of Triangles; - Leg Theorem; - Height Theorem; - Pythagoras’s Theorem. The remarks on computer-assisted training in pre-academic education may be grouped on several levels, the evaluation re
The contribution of the new technologies to learning mathematics
Lupu Costică*
Abstract
Any education, including mathematical education, has a double effect. On the one hand, the learner gains knowledge, on the other hand, he builds those skills which are engaged in work, develop the forces necessary to perform this education. Mathematical education builds thought. Of course, other actions are involved in building thought, but the role of Mathematical education is essential. The article presents the contribution of the new technologies to learning Mathematics by revealing the way in which online libraries and Internet sources of information may become relevant, once the students have successfully covered a program of computer-assisted education, as well as how Mathematical knowledge may be consolidated, applied and evaluated. This article is part of an empirical research on learning theories policies and practices of teaching mathematics with new technologies that will lead to the development of cognitive skills among students in solving problems.
1.Introduction
The hypothesis may be reduced to the following statement: achieving mathematical education by using the new information and communication technologies often represents a catalyst for changes in education, for creating mathematical thinking and building skills in solving mathematical problems.The results of the questionnaires applied in computer-assisted education reveal the fact that the educational process conducted by means of the new technologies is much more efficient than the traditional education methods, on condition that appropriate design is performed. From this hypothesis, there derived the following research objectives:
• identification of an approach to solving mathematical problems during pedagogical training days;
• conducting a systematic research upon the way in which logical thinking is formed through mathematical education;
• suggesting certain models for solving mathematical problems by using: analysis, synthesis, abstraction, generalization, concretization, comparison and analogy.
During the study, we have used the following research methods and techniques:
• the method of analyzing school documents elaborated in compliance with the information obtained by studying school documentation, for example: curricula, textbooks, selections, workbooks, notebooks;
• the comparative method: investigation and classification, evaluating documents, applying comparison to find proper solutions to the problems under study;
• the content analysis has enabled the comparison of results by recordings, drawings, etc., using quantitative techniques such as the schedule for using the AEL laboratory, diagrams, or qualitative techniques, semantic matrixes;
• observation during pedagogical training was a research method based on conducting lessons by using the new communication and information technologies. A relevant characteristic of the method is to record facts and phenomena from the students’ behaviour, without any5. Conclusions The analysis of the activities of the 300 students in the 1st-4th grades has shown that: the students who had been instructed with the help of computers tend to learn more in a shorter time; the students have obtained 15% higher marks in writing, 18% higher in Mathematics and 15% higher in reading. The students were able to identify the specific sources where they could find information on different subjects. The percentage of students who declared their interest in the disciplines they studied rose from 73,1% to 89,55. In middle school, 58% students from the 7th grade and 48% of students in the 8th grade consider that laptops provided support in elaborating papers of a higher quality and improving their attitude towards school. The students obtained results in the National Evaluation exam, for Mathematics and the Romanian Language, which were better than the results of other students from other schools in town. The students discovered that using technology in achieving mathematical education with a view to building mental operations and facilitating creative learning based on projects, leads to the building of cognition skills and develops a suitable behaviour in approaching the solving of mathematical problems. It may also motivate students who are not very fond of school, and teachers were made to change their views regarding their lesson planning activityinterference which might generate or alter them. The basic tool consisted of the observational sheet.
• the pedagogic research involved methods of mathematical statistics in its various stages, for example: criteria for measuring tools, processing the results obtained through informational methods and investigating the hypotheses. In the attempt to build skills in working with a computer, Internet programs and platforms, the focus should be on the process itself and also on knowledge, with the purpose of solving a series of problems occurring in everyday situations.By designing and conducting this experiment during pedagogical practice, the students have developed the following skills:
1. analysis, synthesis, abstraction and generalization of scientific/psycho-pedagogical information;
2. systematic organization and creative application of knowledge in the educational activity;
3. efficient communication and relating with students and educational partners;
4. autonomous use of information in the didactic and managerial activity;
5. identification and scientific solving of problems and situations from the socio-educational environment.
2. The efficiency of the new technologies
This study deals with:
- ways of approaching AEL lessons, according to contract no. 5469/29.08.2008, in mathematical education, in primary, middle and high-schools;
- performing systematic observation on the use of AEL laboratories during pedagogical training classes;
- suggesting methods for using the handbook AEL 6, Version 5.2, created by SIVECO, Romania;
- the impact of implementing a continuous training course for teachers from Bacău, with a view to building mathematical thinking and skills in approaching the solving of certain problems. The new information and communication technologies have supported schools in focusing especially upon the essential purpose of pedagogical training. The students’ and teachers’, namely the beneficiaries’ level of satisfaction regarding the results of the programmes of introducing the new technologies in education constitutes a relevant indicator of the positive impact of these programs. The new technologies often represent a catalyst for change in education, on different levels, but they alone cannot set the direction for change or for the most appropriate type of change.The most frequent difficulties related to the research upon e-learning programs are generally correlated with a lack of unitary vision upon the educational system and process and, therefore, a weak configuration of the implemented programme in terms of:
- harmonizing the ICT component with other reforming initiatives or with the training level required by change;
- integrating into the programme some interventions in other determining areas (curriculum content, evaluation, pedagogical training of the teaching staff);
- reviewing all the aspects related to computer-assisted training (educational soft, connectivity, training, equipment). The analysis and interpretation of the results of the e-learning programs conducted on a national and institutional level, as well as consideration of the evolving theoretical basis of the e-learning field may contribute to improving the strategic view through which decision factors are engaged in initiatives of updating the educational process, changing the educational systems and building a knowledge based society. The ICT classes introduced in the Romanian middle school education have been timely. They facilitate virtual and interactive learning experiences with the purpose of improving access to quality education. Equipping schools with ICT support has led to enhanced institutional communication and collaboration to the benefit of education, as well as improved information, managerial and didactic activities on the level of educational institutions. The 13 AEL packs existing in schools: Pack 1 – Primary education (285 lessons); Pack 2 – Mathematics grades V-VIII (82 lessons); Pack 3 – Mathematics grades IX-XII (61 lessons); Pack 4 – History (590 lessons); Pack 5 – Biology (294 lessons); Pack 6 – Ecology (67 lessons); Pack 7 – Sociology (76 lessons); Pack 8 – Civics (91 lessons); Pack 9 – Economy (10 lessons); Pack 10 – Logic (43 lessons); Pack 11 – Philosophy (55 lessons); Pack 12 – TIC (90 lessons); Pack 13 – Physics (256 lessons), have been supporting teachers in teaching-learning and evaluating mathematical knowledge. From the 2000 AEL lessons, 225 are for Mathematics. During the course of Mathematics Didactics for the initial training of teachers of Mathematics, the AEL handbook elaborated by SIVECO Romania was used. This contained information:
- for the guide on editing rights in the Library;
- for the guide on creating lessons;
- for entering the guide on adding resources;
- for entering the guide on creating lesson moments;
- for entering the guide on copying/moving.
Following the use of this information and the taking over of some models, the students have created programmes, teaching-learning and evaluation sheets on: - The Quadrilateral. Basic notions; - The Areas of Private Quadrilaterals;
- The Concave and Convex Quadrilateral; - The Parallelogram; - The Mutual Bisectors of a Parallelogram; - The Rectangle; - The Square; - The Rhomb; - The Trapezoid; - Classification of Trapezoids; - Angles; - Similarity of Triangles; - Leg Theorem; - Height Theorem; - Pythagoras’s Theorem. The remarks on computer-assisted training in pre-academic education may be grouped on several levels, the evaluation re
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