DEVELOPING LEARNING SOFTWARE FOR THE
SELF-REGULATED LEARNING OF MATHEMATICS
Bastian Frithjof Benz
Pedagogical Psychology, Institute of Psychology, University of Technology Darmstadt
Alexanderstrasse 10, 64283 Darmstadt, Germany
Svetlana Polushkina
Didactics of Mathematics, Institute of Mathematics, University of Technology Darmstadt
Schlossgartenstrasse 7, 64289 Darmstadt, Germany
Bernhard Schmitz
Pedagogical Psychology, Institute of Psychology, University of Technology Darmstadt
Alexanderstrasse 10, 64283 Darmstadt, Germany
Regina Bruder
Didactics of Mathematics, Institute of Mathematics, University of Technology Darmstadt
Schlossgartenstrasse 7, 64289 Darmstadt, Germany
ABSTRACT
The outlined project is concerned with developing adaptive and interactive software promoting competence-oriented
mathematics education through external support of problem solving and self-regulated learning. First, a classification of
the various kinds of scaffolds and feedback with respect to the phases and systems of self-regulated learning is proposed.
Second, essential quality criteria for learning software for mathematics are listed. Finally, the three constituting levels of
the learning software constructed in the project are presented.
KEYWORDS
Adaptive and interactive learning software, mathematics education, scaffolding, self-regulated learning
1. INTRODUCTION
International studies on school learning, like PISA (Program for International Student Assessment, Prenzel et
al. - 2006), have revealed a number of issues on mathematics education and self-regulated learning.
Regarding mathematics education, for example in German schools, students have on average shown
considerable weaknesses with mathematical modelling and problem solving. Furthermore, the studies
delivered evidence for the advantages of students, who are able to self-regulate their learning, in comparison
to those, who are lacking the competence.
Therefore in our project, we aim at developing adaptive and interactive learning software promoting
competence-oriented mathematics education through external support of problem solving and self-regulated
learning. The latter will be realized through adaptive scaffolding and individualized feedback.
Based on the analysis of different approaches to offering external support to the learner, a classification of
the various kinds of scaffolds and feedback with respect to the phases and systems of self-regulated learning
was developed. This classification allows for a systematic investigation of the types of system-learner
interactions supporting the learner in the most appropriate way.
ISBN: 978-972-8924-42-3 © 2007 IADIS
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