Motivasjon ved bruk av digitale verktøy : Hvordan kan bruk av digitale verktøy påvirke motivasjonen til elevene i matematikk?

Abstract

The theme for this master study is motivation related to the use of digital tools. In this thesis, motivation is about what motives lie behind the pupils’ behaviour, and what influences the pupils to act a certain way The aim with this study is to see if the pupils’ motivation is influenced by using digital tool in mathematics education. My research question is: How can the use of digital tools influence the pupils’ motivation in mathematics? In order to answer this, I have looked at the following questions: 1. Is there a connection between the pupils’ understanding of mathematical concepts and the pupils’ motivation in mathematics? 2. Is there a connection between the pupils’ self-esteem and the pupils’ motivation in mathematics? 3. Is there a connection between the pupils’ emotions (positive and negative) and the pupils’ motivation in mathematics? The study is a qualitative study, and I have used observation and interview as methods for my data collection. But to better generalize my findings, I have chosen to use a survey. The pupils and the teacher, who have participated, are connected to the DIM-project (Digital interactive mathematics teaching). The analysis tool I have used to analyse my results from the interviews and the survey, is based on Stipek, Salmon, Givvin, Kazemi, Saxe and MacGyvers (1998) five motivation variables. In my analysis I have chosen to look at the pupils’ understanding of mathematical concepts, the pupils’ self-esteem and the pupils’ emotions (positive and negative) towards mathematics. The result from this study, indicates that digital tools have a positive influence on the pupils’ motivation. My findings show that the pupils’ understanding of mathematical concepts, self-esteem and emotions towards mathematics, are related to their motivation.