Abstract:

In this paper, we discuss our design, development and research of mathematics-focused apps, with two distinct characteristics: the use of a story context and the integration of computer coding. Good stories offer fresh perspectives, surprises and insights (Boorstin, 1990). We want to offer mathematics experiences that offer students opportunities to experience the pleasure of mathematical surprise and insight and to see mathematics concepts and relationships through new perspectives (Gadanidis, 2012; Gadanidis, Borba, Hughes & Lacerda, 2016; Gadanidis & Cendros Araujo, in press). Coding affords students opportunities to exercise agency by asking and investigating their own what-if questions, it facilitates differentiated learning, engages students with abstraction, offers dynamic modelling of concepts and relationships, and work products can be easily shared with peers, as well as family, friends and the wider community (Gadanidis, Hughes, Minniti & White, 2017; Gadanidis, 2017). An early draft of one of our apps in available at researchideas.ca/sym. At the ICERI conference we will share the latest designs of our apps, show them in action, present our research findings from elementary school and teacher education classrooms, and discuss next steps.

Keywords:

Mathematics Education, Mathematics apps, Coding, Stories, Mathematical Surprise.