App-Infused Preschoolers’ Storyline Concept-Driven Numerical Curriculum Design

Abstract

For preschoolers, Apps can facilitate them to learn mathematical concepts, such as number recognition, counting, comparison, mixture problem, combination, etc. However, most of the mathematic Apps currently are drill-and-practice design which provides numerous questions and answers matching exercises for preschoolers, that leads them paying attention on doing exercises instead of concepts acquisition. We will argue that for the preschoolers, mathematical concept acquisition is more important than drill-and-practice exercises. Therefore, to response, for three to five-year-old preschoolers, we developed a mathematical concept learning App named Kid+ which aims to build up their conceptual understanding and cognitive ability. By integrating storyline design with situated learning, the preschoolers can use the App in a concept- embedded role-play story. As three preliminary preschool experts’ using feedbacks, the result revealed that the App might help the preschoolers navigating through the storyline to learn the mathematical concepts embedded. However, further evaluation of preschoolers is needed.