Types of graphic interface design and their role in learning via mathematical applets at the elementary school

Eitan Ben-Haim (1) , Anat Cohen (1) , Michal Tabach (1)

1 TAU - Tel Aviv University

The research goal was to test the suitability of the character of the graphic design on the student's achievements while engaging with mathematical applets for elementary grades. This quantitative research compares two pairs of mathematical applets, which differ only by the type of graphic design; in the extent of detail and the amount of distraction, while the mathematical problems are identical. The first applet has animated graphics based on designs by Matific, a repository of mathematical applets. The second applet was designed specifically for this research in a schematic and visually simple version of the same activities. Students in the schematic graphics group made fewer mistakes and needed less time to complete the activity than students in the animated graphics group. In addition, students with lower mathematic ability succeeded better in the schematic group. No differences between the two groups were observed regarding the level of students’ enjoyment.

Mots clés: Educational design; graphic design; schematic graphics; cognitive load; mathematical applets

Domaines: Mathématiques [math]; Education

Eitan Ben-Haim, Anat Cohen, Michal Tabach. Types of graphic interface design and their role in learning via mathematical applets at the elementary school. Eleventh Congress of the European Society for Research in Mathematics Education, Utrecht University, Feb 2019, Utrecht, Netherlands. ⟨hal-02422151⟩