Abstract:
The purpose of the research was to determine if preparing math resource web pages
would have an impact on male and female elementary students' attitudes toward
mathematics, interests in mathematics and technology, and their motivation to learn math.
The two week study, consisting of six 45- minute technology sessions, was taught to two
classes of fifth- grade math students. Thirty-eight students participated in the activity. The
data collected for this qualitative study included a survey of technology and math
attitudes, observations, participant journal entries, follow-up interviews of two groups of
students, and follow- up questionnaires for all participants. High levels of student interest
were evident in the care taken to select worthy math resources and the time used to make
numerous revisions to alter the visual appeal of the web page. Student selected math
resource websites were critiqued according to specific guidelines appropriate for content,
feedback, pictures, sound, working links, and complimentary color combinations.
Findings suggested that student motivation, interest, and attitude were increased.
Learners of all ability levels were actively engaged in math through technology. Many
students reported learning with the computer was more interesting, easier to focus, and
self-paced. The needs of students were met through math resources that matched their
interest and needs without criticism from peers. Students were intrinsically motivated and
verified personal pride and a sense of accomplishment in their web page creation. With
the computer as the tool to publish the web page and the Internet as a resource for math
content, the components of the project were inseparable.