Human computer interaction: An approach to mathematics' class learning management

Abstract

Most students learn from a traditional form of teaching called instructor-led approach where students are passive but with the advancement in technology and the popular use of computer, students can become more active. A survey conducted by teachers showed a topic in the application of integration was found to be the most difficult in Calculus. This topic in the application of integration was constructed in modular interactive courseware form using the Macromedia Toolbook. Using the developed courseware in the application of integration, the traditional form of teaching and assessing students was upgraded to a human computer interaction (HCI) where the computer was used as a tool to learn and evaluate topics. Learning the topics through the use of computers by the students impacted to human computer interaction (HCI) which can be described as a human and computer trying to communicate with each other using a restricted interface which can be suitable for big classes. The process of developing the courseware adapted the Hix and Hartzon model. To assist the engineering students in understanding the concepts in the application of integration, Van Hiele's Theory was used as a framework for learners to acquire knowledge. Fifty engineering students participated in the initial study and they were divided into two groups, A and B the experimental and the control respectively. The test re-test method was used to gather the necessary data and the results showed that the use of human computer interaction (HCI) as a learning management approach can reduce teacher's hours of face to face interaction with students, students were more independent in learning the topics, and the students' performance from the experimental group performed as well as the students in the control group.