Possibilidades de utilização de smartphones em sala de aula: construindo aplicativos investigativos para o trabalho com equações do 2º grau

Abstract

The usability of smartphone devices in a pedagogical manner has been the agenda for some studies in the area of education. In the state of Paraná this use is permitted by law and the promotion of the insertion of this tool in the classroom, can be through researches that has been developed. Thus, we seek to investigate the contributions of using smartphones, through creation in the App Inventor software, and validation of educational mathematical applications for teaching second degree equations. Finally, we ask the following question: "The use of smartphones in math classes, with applications programmed for second degree equation content, assists students in remeaning their learning?" To answer it, we performed a qualitative research with 34 students, enrolled in a ninth grade class at a public school. We developed four applications to work with second degree equations, using the App Inventor software, in different formats, such as quiz game; selection of correct options for the formation law of a quadratic equation; indication of true and false assertions by buttons tagged with T or F and a calculator. The purpose of exploiting these applications was to verify how the relationships of the subjects were approached in this research with the working with smartphones in the context of math classes. For each application we created a didactic sequence that to the development of work that should be carried out. We use the instruments, in addition to the didactic sequences, observations, notes, questionnaires, recordings, conceptual maps, text productions and discussions in groups. The collected data were analyzed from the Construcionism and Meaningful Learning theories. Students were receptive to work with smartphones in math classes, developed a collaborative work, they needed the mediation of a professional in some moments to carry out the proposed activities and showed no fear of committing errors due to the possibilities that the promoted applications in performing the activities again. We realize that it is possible to promote an differentiated environment in the classroom with the use of smartphones and, we have identified in App Inventor software to support for the insertion of this tool in math classes. The concepts that the students had worked on the content of second degree equations served the subsumptions for the acquisition of new meanings in relation to it, in such a way, that the Meaningful Learning effectively happened during this research.