Numeracy Enhancement Tool (NET): Offline Mobile Game Application for Mathematics Classes

Year 2020, Volume: 7 Issue: 2, 120 - 134, 26.06.2020

Alvın Insorıo

Abstract

Numeracy skills are necessary for the students to cope with senior high school mathematics subject wherein lessons are advanced and need mastery of lower mathematics. These skills are highly required for Grade 11 students wherein their academic performance based on mean percentage score (MPS) in the Mathematics examination was below average. In this study, offline mobile game application (Numeracy Enhancement Tool) in the form of quiz was utilized to increase the numeracy skills of the students. In particular, the study aimed to determine the effectiveness of the said mobile app through experiment. This study used practical action research with a pilot testing through pre-test-post-test design for two sections from Grade 11 and roll-out in all Grade 11 students. A selection of the sections for pilot testing was based on the sections with lowest first grading MPS in mathematics and simple random sampling was used to determine the control and the experimental groups. Using paired sample t-test, it was found out that the mobile app helped the students to increase their numeracy skills based on the pre-test and post-test scores. It was revealed that there is a significant difference between the pre-test and post-test results and between the control and the experimental groups. Moreover, semi-structured interviews were conducted on the experiences and suggestions of the students to improve the mobile app. The study pursued its implementation for the whole grade level in senior high school. All Grade 11 students were encouraged to use the mobile app for three months during the third grading period. Their academic performance in the periodical test was considered. It was found out that there was an increase in the mean percentage score which indicates that the use of mobile app has a positive effect on the numeracy skills of the students. It means using mobile phone in learning mathematics concepts may increase not only the passion of the students in mathematics, but also the student’s computational and conceptual skills. However, it is suggested to conduct similar studies in other schools to verify the findings of this study.

Keywords

mathematics, numeracy enhancement tool, numeracy skills, offline mobile game app

Supporting Institution

Philippine Normal University-Manila

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Numeracy Enhancement Tool (NET): Offline Mobile Game Application for Mathematics Classes

Abstract

Numeracy skills are necessary for the students to cope with senior high school mathematics subject wherein lessons are advanced and need mastery of lower mathematics. These skills are highly required for Grade 11 students wherein their academic performance based on mean percentage score (MPS) in the Mathematics examination was below average. In this study, offline mobile game application (Numeracy Enhancement Tool) in the form of quiz was utilized to increase the numeracy skills of the students. In particular, the study aimed to determine the effectiveness of the said mobile app through experiment. This study used practical action research with a pilot testing through pre-test-post-test design for two sections from Grade 11 and roll-out in all Grade 11 students. A selection of the sections for pilot testing was based on the sections with lowest first grading MPS in mathematics and simple random sampling was used to determine the control and the experimental groups. Using paired sample t-test, it was found out that the mobile app helped the students to increase their numeracy skills based on the pre-test and post-test scores. It was revealed that there is a significant difference between the pre-test and post-test results and between the control and the experimental groups. Moreover, semi-structured interviews were conducted on the experiences and suggestions of the students to improve the mobile app. The study pursued its implementation for the whole grade level in senior high school. All Grade 11 students were encouraged to use the mobile app for three months during the third grading period. Their academic performance in the periodical test was considered. It was found out that there was an increase in the mean percentage score which indicates that the use of mobile app has a positive effect on the numeracy skills of the students. It means using mobile phone in learning mathematics concepts may increase not only the passion of the students in mathematics, but also the student’s computational and conceptual skills. However, it is suggested to conduct similar studies in other schools to verify the findings of this study.

Keywords

mathematics, numeracy enhancement tool, numeracy skills, offline mobile game app

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