Action Research: Use of mathematical games to enhance primary school students' deficiency in counting, addition and problem solving - Tapa blanda

This pilot study adopts an action research methodology to show that mathematical games can be used as a medium to assist a small group of primary school students in their mathematical learning. The games improved the students' problem solving ability by providing motivation as well as ensuring the full engagement in constructive learning and fostering social interactions and cooperation conducive to learning. The action research approach implemented in this study valued those who are involved in the 'local' problem in the 'local' setting, while providing a framework that is flexible to adapt to unforseen effects and unrecognised constraints. Moreover, by allowing the researcher to be a part of the process, the methodology helped her to understand and reflect on the given problem and the context.

The author currently conducts gender analysis research. Previously she was a research fellow at University of New South Wales, Australia and was awarded her PhD in communications at QUT, Australia. Her other research interests are cross-cultural communications, social and cultural use of ICT, and interactive and constructive learning.