A user experience evaluation of the Siyavula software for mathematics education for learners with special education needs

Abstract

A wealth of information is available on the impact and affordances of mobile technologies in the context of ICT in education. However, the focus is now shifting to reporting on the effects and affordances of specific technologies within specific subjects. Furthermore, despite the available knowledge on mobile technologies, there is limited research focusing on special needs education and how people with disabilities use mobile phones, the services they access, and their experiences when interacting with the device. Learners with special educational needs often need help with mathematics, exhibiting challenges related to abstract information retention, delayed adoption of efficient counting strategies, and difficulties in basic number sense. Learning applications available on mobile devices have shown promising results in improving mathematics learning. This study uses AT as a lens to explore the affordances associated with the Siyavula software for teaching mathematics to learners with special educational needs. The objectives are to explore educators’ experiences when using the Siyavula software to teach mathematics to learners with special educational needs and to analyse how the Siyavula software facilitates mathematics learning for learners with special educational needs. A qualitative research method determined the potential affordances associated with the Siyavula software. Through semi-structured interviews, insights on the educators’ experiences with the software while teaching maths were highlighted, and knowledge was gained on how the application facilitates learning. The study uncovered a range of educator experiences with the Siyavula software in teaching mathematics to learners with special educational needs. These experiences encompassed positive and challenging aspects, highlighting the complexity of educator experiences when using Siyavula with learners with special educational needs. On how Siyavula facilitates learning, the study uncovered the software’s potential as a valuable tool for enhancing mathematics education for learners with special educational needs (SEN).