Youngsters Solving Mathematical Problems with Technology: Summary and Implications

The final chapter summarises the overall findings of the Problem@Web project and considers the implications of the findings in terms of how the youngsters of today tackle mathematical problems and communicate their mathematical problem-solving. With data from the youngsters’ participation in two online mathematical problem-solving competitions that were characterised by moderately challenging problems, we found that the youngsters we studied had domain over a set of general-use digital tools and while they were less aware of digital resources with a stronger association with mathematics they were able to gain many capabilities by tackling the mathematical problems and seeking expeditious, appropriate and productive ways of expressing their mathematical thinking. In this respect, they were able to harness their technological skills while simultaneously developing and improving their capacity to create and use a range of mathematical representations. We explain this as co-action between the tool and the solver, with this interconnectedness leading to jointly developed technological skills and mathematical skills that result in the capacity of mathematical problem-solving with technology. Given the possibility of youngsters developing this capacity, a key issue is how this can be harnessed to promote the success of youngsters in mathematics in our digital era.