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RESEARCH PRODUCT
Design and Investigation of a Touch Gesture for Dividing in a Virtual Manipulative Model for Equation-solving
Estela Vallejo-vargasDavid A. ReidDavid A. ReidAngelika Bikner-ahsbahsThomas Janßensubject
Computer scienceLearning environment05 social sciencesSIGNAL (programming language)Educational technology050301 educationBoundary (topology)Division (mathematics)VDP::Matematikk og Naturvitenskap: 400::Matematikk: 410050105 experimental psychologySides of an equationHuman–computer interaction0501 psychology and cognitive sciences0503 educationGestureEquation solvingdescription
AbstractPhysical models for equation solving typically lack feedback regarding their appropriate use. Such feedback is possible in virtual environments and could be implemented in hybrid models. Based on an epistemological analysis, this article presents a touch gesture as a way for users to signal they want to divide both sides of an equation and a design for feedback on the use of this so-called ‘division gesture’. The design is investigated by contrasting a case study, in which students used an app with the division gesture, with a preparatory study where students had to perform corresponding actions on physical manipulatives. This investigation revealed insight into feedback functions, steps of understanding dividing with this touch gesture and, furthermore, showed problems that students have with the boundary case where the dividend is 0. The study informs possible improvements of the design of the division gesture and of the overall learning environment. The results are reflected on, in order to illuminate known problems of learning how to solve linear equations, and theorized to contribute to the wider discussion around the design of digital and physical manipulatives, in particular the design of modes of interaction enabled by new technologies.
| year | journal | country | edition | language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-05-16 |