Leveraging digital tools to advance mathematics competencies among construction students

Abstract

This study investigated the impact of integrating design-technological activities on developing mathematical competencies among construction engineering students. A mixed methods approach compared curriculum delivery with and without digital tools across universities in Kazakhstan and Turkey. First, semi-structured interviews of faculty provided qualitative insights concerning technology adoption barriers. Next, an experimental group leveraging graphing calculators was tested against a control group using traditional techniques for solving straight line mathematics problems. Results showed the experimental group scored significantly higher at both Mukhtar Auezov South Kazakhstan University and MEF University, demonstrating enhanced conceptual understanding and problem-solving abilities when utilizing educational technologies. Interviews also suggested current training programs at Mukhtar Auezov South Kazakhstan University more extensively cover instructional design with mathematical digital tools. Findings highlight measurable learning benefits from incorporating technologies like dynamic geometry software and graphing calculators to improve construction engineering education.

Keywords:

• Mathematics education
• construction engineering
• design-technological activities
• digital learning tools
• faculty development

REVIEWING EDITOR:

• Nadaraj Govender, School of education, University of Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa

SUBJECTS:

• Mathematics education
• information & communication technology (ICT)
• ICT
• study skills
• higher education
• Education - Social sciences

Disclosure statement

The authors report there are no competing interests to declare.

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, [MA], upon reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

This research received no external funding.

Notes on contributors

Elmira Saparbayeva

Elmira Saparbayeva is a doctoral student of the Department of Mathematics of the South Kazakhstan University named after M. Auezov. Her research is the preparation of students of the “Construction” specialty in the teaching of mathematics on the basis of design-technological activities.

Marzhan Abdualiyeva

Marzhan Abdualiyeva is a Ph.D., Associate Professor of the Department of Physics, South Kazakhstan University named after M. Auezov. Her research is focused on improving the methodology of teaching mathematics, the formation of methodological knowledge of future teachers of mathematics. The topics of her publications include mathematics education, the use of electronic didactic tools in the teaching of mathematics.

Yerlan Torebek

Yerlan Torebek is a Ph.D., Associate Professor of the Department of Informatics, South Kazakhstan University named after M. Auezov. The topics of publications include the use of digital technologies in teaching mathematics.

Nurlibay Madiyarov

Nurlibay Madiyarov is a Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of Mathematics, Dean of the Higher School of Natural Science and Pedagogy, South Kazakhstan University named after M. Auezov. The topics of publications include methods of teaching mathematics and geometry.

Abay Tursynbayev

Abay Tursynbayev is a Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences, Head of the Department of Physics, South Kazakhstan University named after M. Auezov. The topics of publications include methodological training of future teachers.