Software for the learning of mathematics through musical metaphors: The creation and evaluation process of PicaLab

Abstract

The PicaLab project proposes the design, development, and assessment of an integrated modular software solution involving sound and music, with the aim of improving mathematical learning in the third, fourth, and fifth levels of primary education in Chile. While these modular solutions were designed as resources for the classroom, students outside of that context can use them too. The process followed a methodology in several stages in order to generate multi-modal functional prototypes, together with their respective didactic guides, that link music and mathematics. These prototypes have been put through an iterative evaluation process leading up their final version. Results indicate an excellent reception of the proposal by students. All evaluated dimensions of the software –math learning, music learning, global, technical, and affective-emotional– have received excellent scores.