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Apps: Appropriate, Applicable, and Appealing?

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Digital Games and Mathematics Learning

Part of the book series: Mathematics Education in the Digital Era ((MEDE,volume 4))

Abstract

Mobile technologies, and the apps associated with them, are an increasing presence and influence in everyday life. This is also reflected in their burgeoning incidence as a digital pedagogical medium, both in classrooms and for private use. This chapter considers the implications of this growth and how they might best be utilized for the enhancement of mathematical thinking. It traverses present research concerned with digital technologies in mathematics education, their attendant affordances, and digital games, before casting a discerning eye with regards to the appropriateness, applicability and appeal of apps in the teaching and learning of mathematics. While some concerns are raised, the considerable potential of using apps for mathematics learning is clearly evident. How might we optimise this potential?

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, University of Waikato, Tauranga, New Zealand

    Nigel Calder

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Correspondence to Nigel Calder .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Edu, Sci, Tech & Math, University of Canberra, Canberra, Aust Capital Terr, Australia

    Tom Lowrie

  2. Faculty of Edu, Sci, Tech & Math, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australia

    Robyn Jorgensen (Zevenbergen)

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Calder, N. (2015). Apps: Appropriate, Applicable, and Appealing?. In: Lowrie, T., Jorgensen (Zevenbergen), R. (eds) Digital Games and Mathematics Learning. Mathematics Education in the Digital Era, vol 4. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-9517-3_12

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