The use of smartphone mathematics applications among pre-service mathematics teachers at teacher universities in Ghana

Abstract

The purpose of the study wasto find out the use of Smartphone Mathematics Applications (SMAs) among Pre-Service Mathematics Teachers (PMTs) in learning Mathematics at teacher universities in Ghana. It further investigated the factors that influence PMTs’ use of SMAs in learning mathematics and their perceptions about the use of SMAs in learning mathematics. The study utilized a cross-sectional survey design. The targeted population for the study was made up of 1,840 PMTs at the two teacher universities in Ghana. Purposive sampling was used to select the two teacher universities in Ghana and PMTs owning mobile phones. Moreover, a stratified sampling technique was employed to select a PMTs for the study. The sample comprised of 320 PMTs, 160 from Teacher University A and the other 160 from Teacher University B. The instrument employed in this study was a questionnaire. The results indicated that GeoGebra among other types of SMAs was commonly used among most of the PMTs in learning mathematics and could be effective when integrated in learning mathematics. However, the PMTs perceived that the use of SMAs fascinate and make learning of mathematics more interesting and also enable the accomplishment of mathematics tasks more easily and faster. Furthermore, the PMTs have positive perceptions about the use of SMAs in learning mathematics. Results from the Ordinal Logistics Regression Model (OLRM) revealed that among other factors, awareness of the various SMAs influence PMTs’ use of SMAs in learning mathematics. Based on the findings, recommendations were consequently made.