BREAKING FREE OF THE CLASSROOM: IMPLEMENTING DIGITAL MEDIA TO ENHANCE STUDENTS’ INVOLVEMENT IN LEARNING MATHEMATICS

This paper presents qualitative evaluation of the European Union project “Interactive Mathematics by implementing a Blended-Learning model with Augmented Reality and Game books”. Presented evaluation summarizes the first year of project realisation in selected upper secondary schools in the four participating countries: Portugal, Norway, Spain and Turkey. The analysis focuses on students’ perceptions of the use of digital media for producing and sharing digital learning content for mathematics. The aim of the research is to develop an insight in students’ attitudes, feelings and opinions on learning experience resulting from the engagement in project activities, which, on the analysed stage, included production and sharing of videos presenting solutions to mathematical problems included in the curriculum for the first grade of upper secondary schools. These videos will be elements of a summative digital learning resource, which will cover curriculum in mathematics for upper secondary schools in the form of an e-book and an educational application for mobile use. To obtain perceptions on the defined area of interest, the involved researchers conducted focus groups with selected students and interpreted collected documents with the aid of computer-supported qualitative content analysis techniques. The article presents common themes that emerged in the responses and seeks to outline discussion that would contribute to successful implementation of project goals in the following years of its realisation.