An e-class in action: Experiences with ICT-intensive teaching and learning of discrete dynamical models at secondary school

Abstract

In 2007, a small team of university and secondary school mathematics teachers jointly developed and piloted an e-class for 4th and 5th grade students (age: 16-17yrs) at both pre-university and general vocational level. The goal was to develop and try out innovative ways of teaching mathematics that would enable schools to offer optional courses for small numbers of students. The e-class can be summarized as web-supported instruction in a blended learning approach. The instructional material consisted of the chapter on discrete dynamical models from a brand-new mathematics textbook, supplemented by investigative activities. Students could build and simulate dynamical models with the computer learning environment Coach. Instructions for learning to work with software were given through screen casts created by the teacher to gear with students' needs and made available in the Sakai-based virtual learning environment. Students got weekly on-line assignments, which they submitted digitally. At home they could get assistance from peers and the teacher in a chat room. The authors discuss some of the e-ingredients of the e-class and their potential for teaching and learning mathematics and science in terms of principled design approaches to multimedia learning and pedagogical arrangements. The authors report the experiences of the participants of the project and present the future plans based on this work