PhD Student and Advisor Present their Work on Perseverance in Problem-Solving with Educational Technology
The paper “Supporting Mathematical Perseverance Remotely through a Digital Sketching Application” was presented at the International Conference of Education, Research, and Innovation
Posted in: Faculty and Student Research
Doctoral student Malack Amenya and his advisor Dr. Joseph DiNapoli worked with colleagues from the University of California, San Diego, and eGrove Education, Inc., in this study to test the validity of automated feedback systems using a new K-8 mathematics application called Drawn2Math. This application is currently being developed as a tool based on digital assignments for which students freehand sketch visual representations to solve conceptual fractions tasks. A grading algorithm recognizes the details of a sketch and provides personalized and carefully scaffolded mathematical feedback to help keep students engaged with challenging mathematics tasks and support their perseverance to learn mathematics conceptually. This study engaged 4th grade students in a simulation of Drawn2Math’s feedback system and found that students working on sketching tasks within Drawn2Math were able to leverage the personalized feedback to persevere with the task and make mathematical progress, even at moments when they were most challenged and frustrated. Participants persevered on these tasks despite working on them alone, without a teacher present, and voiced the enjoyment of their efforts. These findings suggest the mathematics education technology Drawn2Math can help students stay engaged with challenging mathematics and learn conceptually, even when working remotely.
Congratulations Malack and Dr. DiNapoli!