AiM

Project facts

Project promoter:
Comenius University in Bratislava
Project Number:
SK06-0003
Target groups
Teachers, trainers, managers, leaders and other staff within higher education institutions,
Higher education institutions, as defined by the participating countries
Status:
Completed
Initial project cost:
€111,844
Final project cost:
€107,152
From EEA Grants:
€ 81,971
The project is carried out in:
Bratislavský kraj

Description

AiM project (Apps in Math) reflects the current situation of mathematics education and the use of digital technologies in lower and upper secondary schools. Its aim is to improve the teaching of difficult parts of school mathematics in Slovakia and Norway, through educational applications for mobile devices, which are lately an indispensable part of life for every student. Mentioned applications will be developed mainly by students in the study programme of Applied Informatics. In this manner we can link their studies with practice. The AiM project will also allow the creation of an international research team, which will provide both technical and didactical quality of developed applications. Such cooperation will link at the international level between the still not very cooperating scientific branches of Applied Informatics and Mathematics Education.

Summary of project results

The project was needed to forge international research and development collaborations in mathematics education and develop new technology for teaching with ICT. Its aim was to improve the teaching of difficult parts of school mathematics in Slovakia and Norway, through educational applications for mobile devices, which are lately an indispensable part of life for every student. Students, PhD students and academic staff had the opportunity to work in an international team to develop applications, test and comment on them, as well as learn local culture in the partner country. In addition, academic staff exchanged their expertise with partners they want to follow up on other joint projects and publications. Due to joint meetings in the Slovakia and Norway, 10 students, 2 PhD students and 6 academic staff from Slovakia visited Norway and 4 students, 1 PhD student and 4 academic staff from Norway visited Slovakia. Applications were during their development tested by mathematics teachers at schools in Slovakia and Norway. The result of the cooperation is 25 educational mathematics Apps, that have recently been published on Apple’s App Store and Google’s Play Store and are freely available for teachers and pupils for support in select mathematical topics. All students and academics involved in the project also participated in the creation of a methodological guide for teachers, which is available on the project website. It was written in two languages, Slovak and Norwegian. The opportunity to meet in person on a fairly regular basis and experience traditional activities, cuisine and culture was a key factor in reaching an understanding of the educational needs of the partner country, and establishing the trust and common enthusiasm required to plan and follow through with larger international projects. The project has thanks to cooperation of IT department and mathematics education department spurred an entirely new branch of research where the participants continue making new online tools for mathematics for both teaching and research purposes. Partners would like to continue the collaboration with digital mathematics on an international scale.

Summary of bilateral results

Donor project partner Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Social and Educational Sciences (former Sør-Trøndelag University College) was equal partner involved in all project activities. 25 educational mathematics games in the form of Apps for Android and iOS, and a printed and online handbook for teachers in two languages was prepared by the partners. Norwegian partner contributed with specifications for Apps to be developed, design and didactical advise during development, supervision of Norwegian PhD and MSc students, access to schools, teachers and pupils in Norway who tested and gave feedback on the Apps. The project has led to heightened awareness of international collaborations in mathematics education and of the rising use and benefits of mobile tools for mathematics education.