The purpose of this study is to present basic information for effective teaching of young children mathematics. For this study, appropriate mathematics software for kindergarten aged children was selected. Then the effects of computer assisted learnin...
The purpose of this study is to present basic information for effective teaching of young children mathematics. For this study, appropriate mathematics software for kindergarten aged children was selected. Then the effects of computer assisted learning on kindergarten aged children's mathematical abilities and attitude towards mathematics was measured.
The following research questions were asked.
1. What effect, if any, will computer assisted learning have on kindergarten aged children's mathematics achievement scores?
2. What effect, if any, will computer assisted learning have on the attitudes of kindergarten aged children towards mathematics?
The subjects of this study were 50, five year old children(21 boys and 29 girls). The children were students at D kindergarten located in Pohang city, Gyeong-buk province. The age ranges of the subjects were between 5 years and 1 month and 5 years and 11months. The average age was 5 years and 6 months.
Two measurement tools were used for this study: (a) the mathematical achievement test, (b) mathematical attitude test. The mathematical test was modified from the SESAT(Stanford Early Achievement Test) from the Psychological Corporation. The mathematical attitude test was developed by previous researchers. "Tan Tan mathematics" was used because it was approved by the Korea Educational software exhibition. (Kim Hyun-Young, 2000)
The findings of this study were evaluated using the statistical analysis of MANOVA and a one way analysis of variance.
Computer assisted learning achievement in mathematics showed a significant variance between experimental and control groups.(p<.05)
The mathematical achievement scores in the experimental groups' computer activities with computer assisted learning were higher than the control group. The experimental group scored higher in concept of numbers, problem solving, geometry and measurement.
The attitude towards mathematics in the experimental groups' computer activities with computer assisted learning were higher than the control group(p<.05).
Sub-factors of the attitude towards mathematics such as self-confidence, ability, and problem solving in the experimental group were higher than in the control group(p<.05).
The results show that young children's learning abilities were improved through computer assisted learning. So good qualitative computer software is useful in increasing young children's positive attitude towards mathematics.
※ A thesis submitted to the Committee of the Educational Graduate School, Daegu Catholic University in Partial Fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Education Conferred in February, 2002.