Digital Tools for The Development of Skills in The Area of Mathematics

Abstract

Today, it is imperative in the educational system to abandon traditionalism and promote innovative new strategies based on ICTs to improve academic performance in mathematics. The aim of this research was to implement the use of digital tools for the development of skills in third-year baccalaureate mathematics at the Alida Zambrano García Educational Unit, located in the canton of El Carmen, province of Manabí, Ecuador. The approach of this study is descriptive and cross-sectional, and a survey was conducted with 139 students, along with an interview with teachers involved in teaching the subject at the institution. The students acknowledged the limited use of digital tools in mathematics classes, but believe that access to and use of these tools could enhance their understanding of the subject, improve mathematical problem-solving, and thus, increase their academic performance, as well as generate greater motivation to study. Teachers recognize the benefits of digital tools in learning mathematics, although they currently use few and face difficulties for their effective incorporation into the classes. Despite these limitations, teachers believe that digital tools can improve students' performance in mathematics and seek strategies to integrate them more effectively, while recognizing the need for additional resources and support. The identified situation has led to the development of a proposal designed to mitigate the existing problems.

Keywords: digital tools; Mathematics; competencies; teaching-learning; baccalaureate.