University of South Florida Scholar Commons Graduate Theses and Dissertations Graduate School 4-7-2015 Effect of Interactive Digital Homework with an iBook on Sixth Grade Students' Mathematics Achievement and Attitudes when Learning Fractions, Decimals, and Percents Jennifer Zakrzewski University of South Florida, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd Part of the Science and Mathematics Education Commons Scholar Commons Citation Zakrzewski, Jennifer, "Effect of Interactive Digital Homework with an iBook on Sixth Grade Students' Mathematics Achievement and Attitudes when Learning Fractions, Decimals, and Percents" (2015). Graduate Theses and Dissertations. https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd/5611 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at Scholar Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Scholar Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Effect of Interactive Digital Homework with an iBook on Sixth Grade Students’ Mathematics Achievement and Attitudes when Learning Fractions, Decimals, and Percents by Jennifer Zakrzewski A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy College of Education University of South Florida Co-Major Professor: Denisse R. Thompson, Ph.D. Co-Major Professor: Eugenia Vomvoridi-Ivanovic, Ph.D. Jeffrey Kromrey, Ph.D. Yiping Lou, Ph.D. Sarah van Ingen, Ph.D. Date of Approval: April 7, 2015 Keywords: Interactive Textbook, iPad, Middle Grades, Motivation in Mathematics, Rational Numbers, Technology Copyright © 2015, Jennifer Zakrzewski DEDICATION To my husband, Rick, I could not have done this without you. You dried tears of frustration and supported nonsensical babble for four years never questioning me though I constantly questioned myself. Without your love, support and guidance I could never have made it through. Thank you, I love you! Mom, Dad and Dani, thank you for listening when I needed an outlet. Thank you for your constant understanding as I turned off the world to study or write. Your acceptance and support has been tremendous throughout this endeavor. Thank you. Lastly, I would like to thank my students from the past three years. Thank you for going on this adventure with me through Iterations 1, 2, and 3. Without your patience and exuberance I could not have completed this study. Your assistance and support has been irreplaceable. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS There have been many people on this journey with me that I wish to thank. Dr. Thompson, thank you for providing me with support and encouragement as I began my first iteration of this study and for continuing to be a wonderful resource throughout the dissertation process. Dr. Vomvoridi, thank you for being willing to read all of my drafts and emails with questions. Dr. Kromrey, thank you for your patience in reading my constant emails with questions regarding statistical analysis and effect sizes. Dr. Lou, thank you for pushing me to gain a deeper understanding of technology and its history in education. Dr. van Ingen, thank you for joining my committee and adding thoughtful feedback throughout the process. Throughout my time at the University of South Florida, I have come into contact with some wonderful professors and colleagues. I cannot thank you enough for your support and encouragement throughout this process. Although there were many times I struggled with papers and content, someone was always there to support me, listen to me, and guide me through. Thank you for helping me become so knowledgeable in my field. Thank you to my colleagues who supported me in the dissertation process. Dr. van Ingen, Suzanne, and Veronica, thank you for reviewing my iBook and giving thoughtful feedback. Jayme, thank you for helping me code and review for themes in the focus group. Rich and Jared, thank you for reviewing my test and grading rubric. Stephany, thank you for listening to audio recordings with me. Jared and Stephany, thank you for helping me compare the iBook and textbook. Kristin, thank you for reviewing the paperwork from the study. Steve, thank you for allowing me to conduct my study in your school and for being so flexible with time off for my dissertation. Lastly, thank you to the parents who supported my dream and me by allowing their students to participate in my study. I couldn’t have done any of this without you and your children. TABLE OF CONTENTS List of Tables ...................................................................................................................................v List of Figures .............................................................................................................................. viii Abstract ............................................................................................................................................x Chapter 1: Introduction ....................................................................................................................1 Statement of the Problem .....................................................................................................1 Research Purpose .................................................................................................................5 Research Questions ..............................................................................................................6 Delimitations and Significance of the Study .......................................................................7 Terminology .........................................................................................................................8 Chapter 2: Literature Review .........................................................................................................10 Method ...............................................................................................................................11 Rational Numbers ..............................................................................................................12 Transition from Whole Numbers to Rational Numbers .........................................13 Rational Number Instruction..................................................................................14 Homework Effectiveness in Mathematics .........................................................................16 Mathematics Homework in Other Countries .........................................................17 Digital Mathematics Homework ............................................................................19 Evolution of Homework ........................................................................................21 Technology Integration ......................................................................................................22 Debate and Design .................................................................................................23 Tablets for Educational Purposes...........................................................................26 Tablet PCs ..............................................................................................................27 Advantages of tablet PCs ..........................................................................28 E-books ..............................................................................................................................28 Functions of E-books .............................................................................................29 Students’ Perceptions of E-books ..........................................................................30 Methods of Using Technology to Enhance Learning and Motivation ...............................31 Technology to Enhance Learning ..........................................................................32 Enhancing Motivation ............................................................................................34 Using Technology to Enhance Learning in Mathematics ......................................35 Motivation in Mathematics ....................................................................................38 Conclusion .........................................................................................................................39 Conceptual Framework ......................................................................................................41 Chapter 3: Method .........................................................................................................................45 i iBooks and iBooks Author .................................................................................................48 Conceptual Framework for Development of my iBook ....................................................48 Implementation of the iBook .................................................................................53 Conclusion .............................................................................................................55 Content Analysis of the iBook ...........................................................................................55 iBook Textbook Comparison .............................................................................................59 Pilot Studies Related to the iBook .....................................................................................61 Iteration 1 ...............................................................................................................61