Development of computer play pedagogy intervention for children with low conceptual understanding in basic mathematics operation using the dyscalculia feature approach

This study describes the development of a basic computer-based play pedagogy intervention using a dyscalculia-remedy-oriented approach such as repetition and number orientation manipulation, and the investigation of its effect on children displaying dyscalculia characteristics. This computer play was evaluated in a group of 50 seven-year-old Malaysian children, who were low achievers in mathematics subject and were divided into control and intervention group. The intervention group engaged with the newly developed computer play for an hour per day for five consecutive days, while the control group attended normal classroom learning for the same time period. Overall post-test scores indicated that children from the intervention group performed significantly better than the control group after the five-day intervention period by 57.9%. Number disorientation and arithmetic operation confusion, which are common amongst the children displaying dyscalculia characteristics, were also significantly reduced after the intervention. This implies that the children benefitted from the computer play.

[1]  K. Kucian,et al.  Developmental dyscalculia: a dysconnection syndrome? , 2013, Brain Structure and Function.

[2]  Robert S. Siegler,et al.  Rightstart: Providing the central conceptual prerequisites for first formal learning of arithmetic to students at risk for school failure. , 1994 .

[3]  Adnan Baki,et al.  Evaluation of a web based mathematics teaching material on the subject of functions , 2008, Comput. Educ..

[4]  A. Dowker,et al.  Atypical development of numerical cognition: Characteristics of developmental dyscalculia , 2009 .

[5]  Michael von Aster,et al.  Optimized voxel-based morphometry in children with developmental dyscalculia , 2008, NeuroImage.

[6]  W. Schneider,et al.  Casting the die before the die is cast: the importance of the home numeracy environment for preschool children , 2014 .

[7]  Kristina Moll,et al.  Dyslexia and dyscalculia: two learning disorders with different cognitive profiles. , 2009, Journal of experimental child psychology.

[8]  S. Dehaene,et al.  Principles underlying the design of "The Number Race", an adaptive computer game for remediation of dyscalculia , 2006, Behavioral and brain functions : BBF.

[9]  Karin Landerl,et al.  Typical and atypical development of basic numerical skills in elementary school. , 2009, Journal of experimental child psychology.

[10]  H. Sigmundsson,et al.  Are poor mathematics skills associated with visual deficits in temporal processing? , 2010, Neuroscience Letters.

[11]  Michelle G. Newman,et al.  Computers in Assessment and Cognitive Behavioral Treatment of Clinical Disorders: Anxiety as a Case in Point , 1997 .

[12]  Matthew Thompson,et al.  The Predictive Value of the NICE “Red Traffic Lights” in Acutely Ill Children , 2014, PloS one.

[13]  S. Varma,et al.  Dyscalculia: From Brain to Education , 2011, Science.

[14]  Rolph E. Anderson,et al.  Multivariate Data Analysis (7th ed. , 2009 .

[15]  Honguk Woo,et al.  The identification, implementation, and evaluation of critical user interface design features of computer-assisted instruction programs in mathematics for students with learning disabilities , 2010, Comput. Educ..

[16]  S. Dehaene,et al.  Computer-Assisted Intervention for Children with Low Numeracy Skills , 2009 .

[17]  E. Tsitskari,et al.  The Use of Computer Assisted Instruction in Preschool Education: Making Teaching Meaningful , 2006 .

[18]  F. Rivera-batiz,et al.  Quantitative Literacy and the Likelihood of Employment among Young Adults in the United States , 1992 .

[19]  S. Dehaene,et al.  An open trial assessment of "The Number Race", an adaptive computer game for remediation of dyscalculia , 2006, Behavioral and Brain Functions.

[20]  Brian Butterworth,et al.  Foundational numerical capacities and the origins of dyscalculia , 2010, Trends in Cognitive Sciences.

[21]  Russell Gersten,et al.  Early Identification and Interventions for Students With Mathematics Difficulties , 2005, Journal of learning disabilities.

[22]  Mary K. Hoard,et al.  Strategy choices in simple and complex addition: Contributions of working memory and counting knowledge for children with mathematical disability. , 2004, Journal of experimental child psychology.

[23]  Mohiuddin Ahmed,et al.  Using computers as visual aids to enhance communication in therapy , 2006, Comput. Hum. Behav..

[24]  Gabriel López-Morteo,et al.  Computer support for learning mathematics: A learning environment based on recreational learning objects , 2007, Comput. Educ..

[25]  Atsusi Hirumi,et al.  The effects of modern mathematics computer games on mathematics achievement and class motivation , 2010, Comput. Educ..

[26]  Brian Butterworth,et al.  Developmental dyscalculia and basic numerical capacities: a study of 8–9-year-old students , 2004, Cognition.

[27]  J. Peters,et al.  Task-specific rehabilitation of finger-hand function using interactive computer gaming. , 2008, Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation.

[28]  Serkan Çankaya,et al.  The effects of educational computer games on students’ attitudes towards mathematics course and educational computer games , 2009 .

[29]  Neet Priya Bajwa,et al.  Why can't Johnny remember the basic facts? , 2009, Developmental disabilities research reviews.

[30]  J. Enrique Hinostroza,et al.  Pedagogy embedded in educational software design: report of a case study , 2001, Comput. Educ..

[31]  R. Shalev,et al.  Developmental Dyscalculia , 1988, Cortex.

[32]  Serhat Aydin,et al.  Students’ conceptions about browser-game-based learning in mathematics education: TTNetvitamin case , 2009 .

[33]  Kristina Moll,et al.  Specific Learning Disorder: Prevalence and Gender Differences , 2014, PloS one.

[34]  J. Booth,et al.  Children with mathematical learning disability fail in recruiting verbal and numerical brain regions when solving simple multiplication problems , 2014, Cortex.

[35]  S. Mann.  Research Methods for Business: A Skill-Building Approach , 2013 .

[36]  Daniel Ansari,et al.  Mapping numerical magnitudes onto symbols: the numerical distance effect and individual differences in children's mathematics achievement. , 2009, Journal of experimental child psychology.

[37]  S. Griffin,et al.  Building number sense with Number Worlds: a mathematics program for young children , 2004 .

[38]  Annemie Desoete,et al.  Numerical competence in young children and in children with mathematics learning disabilities , 2006 .

[39]  Ximena López,et al.  Beyond Nintendo: design and assessment of educational video games for first and second grade students , 2003, Comput. Educ..

[40]  J. Proudfoot,et al.  The development and beta-test of a computer-therapy program for anxiety and depression: hurdles and lessons , 2003, Comput. Hum. Behav..

[41]  Kevin Hull.  Computer/Video Games as a Play Therapy Tool in Reducing Emotional Disturbances in Children , 2009 .

[42]  Silvia Cristina Martini Rodrigues,et al.  Effect of a Virtual Environment on the Development of Mathematical Skills in Children with Dyscalculia , 2014, PloS one.