Document Type

Article

Source of Publication

Sustainability (Switzerland)

Publication Date

5-1-2022

Abstract

There are many Western apps that help students strengthen their mathematics skills through learning and game apps. A research project was designed to create an IOS Math App to provide Grade 6 Emirati students with the opportunity to explore mathematics, then, using Bayesian Networks, to examine the educational implications. The learning app was developed using ethnomathematics modules based on the Emirati culture. Students were required to navigate through several modules to examine various mathematical concepts in algebra and geometry. The survey was written for Grade 6 English language learners. Based on the Bayesian Networks, the findings suggested that if students are allowed to explore mathematics based on familiar cultural norms and practices, students with grades A and C would get higher grades. However, if students are not allowed to explore mathematics in line with their local culture, more students would receive an F grade, while some students with an A grade would get lower grades. Additionally, the findings showed that incorporating cultural elements had a positive change in students’ liking and learning mathematics, even without a mobile device. However, not allowing a mobile device and not allowing culture had an increased negative impact on students’ liking and learning mathematics. The last finding suggested that students valued ethnomathematics examples over a mobile device to learn mathematics. The research findings could help to improve sustainability in mathematics education by promoting ethnomathematics and mobile learning.

ISSN

2071-1050

Publisher

MDPI AG

Volume

14

Issue

10

Disciplines

Education | Mathematics

Keywords

Bayesian networks, ethnomathematics, mobile learning, UAE

Scopus ID

85130539873

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Indexed in Scopus

yes

Open Access

yes

Open Access Type

Gold: This publication is openly available in an open access journal/series

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