Didactic tools enable concretization of abstract subject matters. That is the reason why they are an indispensable companion of classroom teachers in the first years of primary school. In math they enable the comprehension of abstract concepts.
The thesis deals with content-related didactic tools. Their role in math, the review of different terms, the classification and the key factors of selection for a teaching lesson are featured. Some theories and researches which advocate the use of didactic tools in teaching are listed, such as Piaget’s theory of cognitive development, the importance of experiential learning, Hejney’s theory of teaching math, Dienes and Golding’s principles, etc. The thesis illustrates some didactic tools recommended to develop the comprehension of number representations in the second and third grade of primary school. They are listed and published in the catalogue of the National Educational Institute of the Republic of Slovenia and a term typical didactic tools has been applied for them. Furthermore, dynamic versions of these same didactic tools made of reused and technical materials are presented and illustrated with pictures. In the thesis the term dynamic didactic tools refers to these. The main difference between the two groups of didactic tools is the level of concreteness.
The empirical part of the thesis shows the findings of a research based on a sample of 128 pupils. The purpose of the study was to compare the understanding of number representations in second and third graders as regards the use of either typical or dynamic didactic tools. In addition to this, the thesis aims at determining potential differences in the level of students’ motivation for the use of each type of didactic tool. The control groups consisted of students working with typical didactic tools, whereas the experimental groups were offered dynamic ones.
The results showed that the second and third graders who worked with dynamic didactic tools in the period of three weeks showed a better understanding of number representations and a higher level of motivation as opposed to their control group peers. Key findings of the role of dynamic didactic tools in the empirical part of the thesis provide an important indication for classroom teachers, namely to integrate didactic tools which are as concrete as possible in their teaching.
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