Empirical evidence for benefit? Reviewing quantitative research on the use of digital tools in mathematics education

P.H.M. Drijvers*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

The benefit of using digital tools in education, and in mathematics education in particular, is subject to debate. To investigate this benefit, we focus on effect sizes on student achievement reported in reviews of experimental and quantitative studies. The results show significant positive effects with modest effect sizes. Possible causes for this are discussed and illustrated with one case study. We wonder if the review studies capture the subtlety of integrating digital tools in learning as much as qualitative studies do, and question their potential to address the “how” question. As a conclusion, a plea is made for replication studies and for studies that identify decisive factors through the combination of a methodologically rigorous design and a theoretical foundation in domain-specific theories from mathematics didactics.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationUses of Technology in Primary and Secondary Mathematics Education
Subtitle of host publicationTools, Topics and Trends
EditorsLynda Ball, Paul Drijvers, Silke Ladel, Hans-Stefan Siller, Michal Tabach, Colleen Vale
Place of PublicationCham
PublisherSpringer
Pages161-178
Number of pages15
Edition1
ISBN (Electronic)978-3-319-76575-4
ISBN (Print)978-3-319-76574-7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 25 May 2018

Publication series

NameICME-13 Monographs
PublisherSpringer
ISSN (Print)2520-8322
ISSN (Electronic)2520-8330

Keywords

  • Digital technology
  • Mathematics education
  • Effect size
  • Student achievement

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