Mathematics Support and New Technologies

SIGMA is about to begin a PhD studentship in “enhancing mathematics support with innovative uses of technology”. The purpose of this article is to put forward our views on this research field. This article builds on a recent article from SIGMA which discusses internet-based and mobile mathematics support [1]. Why new technologies? - New technologies are important to mathematics support for four main reasons: 1. They provide opportunities for new forms of interaction not available via old technologies; 2. “Net generation” students (i.e. those born after about 1980, according to some definitions) are familiar with them; 3. They enable learning to become much more flexible or “on demand” which is becoming an increasingly important factor as people have busier lifestyles and more students are registered for part-time courses; 4. They may provide a more economical means of teaching. However, this potential reason has been used on its own in the past with disastrous consequences! Too much money has been invested in new technologies without thinking through what potential educational gain they may provide and in what ways. The use of new technologies should be driven by “educational purposes and pedagogy”…The article goes on to discuss: new emerging technologies including: 3G mobile phones, video iPod, PSP (Play Station Portable), UMPC (Ultra Mobile Personal Computer) etc; the need for new teaching methods; how far might we go in developing new mathematics teaching; what support will still be important including: written notes, video, computer-based formative assessment, computer games, multi-user communication etc; teaching methods and educational theories including: mobile learning, resource-based learning, constructivism ie. learners discover new concepts for themselves, CAPSI(Computer Assisted Personalised System of Instruction, Co-operative learning etc….