Recent Publications
Game Design for Mathematics Education (2022)
Led by Robin Sharma in collaboration with Dr. Susanne Lajoie and Dr. Adam Dubé, this chapter explores why and how principles of good games can be useful to address concerns with mathematics education. Examples of evidence-based mathematics games that leverage principles of good game design are described to discuss the potential of digital games for mathematics education.
Reference: Sharma, R., Lajoie, S., & Dubé, A. (2022). Game design for mathematics education. In S. S & R. Sonia S R (Eds.), Mathematics Education: Research and Innovations (p. 16). APH Publishing Corporation.
A model of theoretically driven educational app Design: Lessons from the creation of a mathematics app (2022)
Sabrina Alam has designed and developed a theoretically driven mathematics app for elementary school children. This piece of work can be used as a broad framework and can serve as a guide to future education researchers and app developers.
Reference: Alam, S. S., & Dubé, A. K. (2022). A model of theoretically driven educational app Design: Lessons from the creation of a mathematics app. Educational Technology Research & Development (ETRD). DOI: 10.1007/s11423-022-10109-9
Why this app? How parents choose good educational apps from app stores (2022)
Led by Armaghan Montazami in collaboration with Heather Pearson, Dr. Adam Dubé, Gulsah Kacmaz, Run Wen, and Sabrina Alam, the online study with parents was conducted to identify parents’ most dominant needs while selecting apps for their children. Parents' app selection behaviour was investigated leveraging Uses and Gratifications theory. Parents viewed 10 mock math apps (5 with educational benchmarks; 5 with buzzwords) that replicated the App Store presentation format. Immediately following each app, parents provided value judgements of the app by stating whether they would download the app, rating it, stating how much they would be willing to pay, and explaining why they chose to download the app or not. Results indicated that parents value educational benchmarks over buzzwords suggesting that parents are primarily seeking apps that meet their children’s educational needs. Parents’ app needs seem to align with some of the research on what makes a good educational app.
Reference: Montazami, A., Pearson, H. A., Dubé, A. K., Kacmaz, G., Wen, R., & Alam S. S. (2022). Why this app? How parents choose good educational apps from app stores. British Journal of Educational Technology, 1-27, https://doi.org/10.1111/bjet.13213
Why this app? How educators choose good educational apps. (2022)
Led by Armaghan Montazami and Heather Pearson as co-first authors in collaboration with Dr. Adam Dubé, Gulsah Kacmaz, Run, Wen, and Sabrina Alam, the study examines if educators are valuing certain benchmarks of quality (i.e., scaffolding, feedback, curriculum, development team, learning theory) when they select educational apps from app stores and evaluates how they gather information during the selection process. Pre- service and working elementary educators viewed and evaluated app store pages for 10 simulated apps while gaze data (i.e., looking at either the written descriptions or app images) were collected using an eye-tracker. Results indicate that educators value apps with educational benchmarks over buzzwords, while judging apps with development team, scaffolding, and curriculum higher than those with an integrated learning theory and feedback. Moreover, eye tracking results revealed that educators scrutinize app images more when they feature educational benchmarks.
Reference: Montazami, A., Pearson, H. A., Dubé, A. K., Kacmaz, G., Wen, R., & Alam, S. S. (2022). Why this app? How educators choose a good educational app. Computers & Education, 184, 104513.
Why this app: Can a video-based intervention help parents identify quality educational apps? (2022)
Led by Heather Pearson in collaboration with Armaghan Montazami and Dr. Adam Dubé, this study examined if a short video-based intervention enhanced parents' value-judgements of apps featuring the five educational benchmarks (i.e., scaffolding, curriculum, development team, feedback, learning theory). In original and modified app experiments (n = 100; n = 101), parents of children 4–11 years old were randomly assigned to watch either a 9-minute video that detailed how the five benchmarks augment learning, or a 2-minute control video. Parents evaluated 10 simulated apps containing either benchmarks or buzzwords. The original app experiment shows that a brief intervention can help parents identify quality educational apps via the benchmarks, but the modified app experiment suggests it only works if developers are using specific keywords in app descriptions. Helping parents select quality educational apps is more complicated than simply telling them what to look for. This study also provides suggestions on features to include when designing an educational video for parents.
Reference: Pearson, H. A., Montazami, A., & Dubé, A. K. (2022). Why this app: Can a video‐based intervention help parents identify quality educational apps? British Journal of Educational Technology, bjet.13284. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjet.13284
3D printing as an educational technology: Theoretical perspectives, learning outcomes, and recommendations for practice (2021)
Led by Heather Pearson in collaboration with Dr. Adam Dubé, this review argues that 3D printing is an emerging educational technology that could be used to prepare learners for a more technologically designed world. In this review, 3D printing studies are analyzed to identify the dominant theoretical approaches and learning outcomes associated with 3D printing in education. Five theories are identified, including situated learning, experiential learning, and critical making, but concepts from constructionism and self- directed learning are common amongst all approaches. Learning outcomes attributed to 3D printing include critical thinking, creativity, design thinking, and collaboration, with proponents arguing that the domain general outcomes go beyond knowing simply how to use a 3D printer. Given the identified, theoretical approaches, outcomes, and common barriers to use, recommendations are made for how educators approach and implement 3D printing in the classroom.
Reference: Pearson, H.A. & Dubé, A. K. (2021). 3D printing as an educational technology: Theoretical perspectives, learning outcomes, and recommendations for practice. Education and Information Technologies, 1-44. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-021-10733-7
Recent Conference Presentations and Papers
Montazami, A., Dubé, A. K. (2023). Study of the Most Popular Learning Theories Guiding Educational Apps. Poster presentation at AERA 2023 Annual Conference, Chicago.
Wen, R., & Dubé, A. K. (2023, April). Validation of a tripartite math attitudes scale. Poster presented at the American Educational Research Association Conference (AERA) 2023 annual meeting, Chicago.
Muis, K. R., Pearson, H. A., Montazami, A., Dubé, A. K., & Munzar, B. (2023). A Design-Based Intervention to Develop Elementary Students’ Digital Literacy Skills. American Educational Research Association Conference, Chicago.
Muis, K. R., Pearson, H. A., Montazami, A., Dubé, A. K., & Munzar, B. (2022). Fostering Digital Literacy in Elementary Students: A Design-Based Intervention. Poster presentation at APA 2022 Annual Conference, Minneapolis.
Pearson, H. A., Montazami, A., & Dubé, A. K. (2022). Why this app: Can a video-based intervention help parents identify quality education apps? Proceedings from AERA 2022 Annual Meeting, San Diego.
Xu, C., Sharma, R., & Dubé, A. (2021). Development of curriculum guides for the Assassin’s Creed Discovery Tour games to enhance teachers’ adoption of games for learning. Technology, Mind & Society Conference, United States. https://tmb.apaopen.org/pub/grqsd2ra
Bharadwaj, N. A., Dubé, A. K., Talwar, V., & Patitsas, E. (2021). How Digital Assistants are used by Families in the Home: A multi-national study of use, interaction, and parental mediation. TMS Proceedings 2021. https://doi.org/10.1037/tms0000075
Sharma, R., & Dubé, A. (2021). Towards the use of commercial games as educational tools. The Blue DOT, 13, 11–14. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000375559.locale=en
Pearson, H. A., Montazami, A., Dubé, A. K., Kacmaz, G., Wen, R., & Alam, S. S. (2021). Why this app? How educators choose good educational apps. Proceedings from the AERA 2021 Annual Meeting, Online Conference.
Wen, R., & Dubé, A. K. (2021). A snapshot of math attitudes and math achievement. Proceeding of the American Educational Research Association.
Wen, R., & Dubé, A. K. (2021). Math attitudes: A holistic view of what has been studied. Proceeding of the American Educational Research Association.
Dubé, A. K & Wen, R. (2021). Technology trends in K-12 Education from 2011 to 2021. Proceeding of the American Educational Research Association.
Guo, Y., Wen, R., Dubé, A. K., & Pearson, H. (2021). The Influence of Game Design on Attentional Allocation and Cognitive Resources Depletion. Proceeding of the American Educational Research Association.
Montazami, A., Pearson, H. A., Dubé, A. K., Kacmaz, G., Wen, R., & Alam, S. (2021). Why this app? How parents choose a good educational app. Poster presentation at SRCD 2021: Society for Research in Child Development Biennial Meeting, Online Conference.
Bharadwaj, N. A., Dubé, A. K., Talwar, V., & Patitsas, E. (2021, April 7–9). How Parents and Children Interact with Digital Assistants in the Home: An Exploratory Study (Poster presentation). Society for Research in Child Development.
Kacmaz, G., & Dubé, A. K. (April 2021). Exploring K-12 Educators’ Types of Support Usage During Game Play. Poster presentation at the Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD) Conference.
Kacmaz, G., & Dubé, A. K. (April 2021). The impact of game type in mathematical learning. A Meta-Analysis and Critical Review Poster presentation at the Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD) Conference.
Wen, R., & Dubé, A. K. (2021, April). Achievement Emotions During Math Game Play. Poster presentation at the 2021 Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD) Virtual Biennial Meeting.
Bharadwaj, N. A., Dubé, A. K., Talwar, V., & Patitsas, E. (2021, April 7–9). How Digital Assistants are used in the Home: A Study of Parental Mediation Strategies and Child Interactions [Poster presentation]. Society for Research in Child Development.
Dubé, A. K., Kacmaz, G., Wen, R., Xu, C., & Alam, S. S. (in press). Identifying quality educational apps: Lessons from ‘top’ mathematics apps in the Apple App Store. Education and Information Technologies. DOI: 10.1007/s10639-020-10234-z
Alam, S. S., Dubé, A. K., Chan, W. W. L., & Kong, M. N. K. (2020, June). Investigating cross-cultural differences on the digital home numeracy practice (DHNP). Poster presentation at the Mathematical Cognition and Learning Society (MCLS) Conference, Dublin, Ireland.
Kacmaz, G., & Dubé, A. K. (2020, June 27-29). Educational math games in classroom: Investigating the role of teachers in facilitating math learning. Pre-registered poster presentation at the Mathematical Cognition and Learning Society (MCLS) Conference, Dublin, Ireland.
Montazami, A., Pearson, H. A., Dubé, A. K. (2020, June). Why this app? How parents and educators choose a good educational app. Pre-registered poster presentation at the Mathematical Cognition and Learning Society (MCLS) Conference, Dublin, Ireland.
Wen, R., & Dubé, A. K. (2020, June). A systematic review of secondary students’ attitudes towards mathematics and its relationships with math achievement. Poster presentation at the Mathematical Cognition and Learning Society (MCLS) Conference, Dublin, Ireland.
Wen, R., & Dubé, A. K. (2020, June). Investigating digital educational game’s effect on students’ math attitudes. Pre-registered poster presentation at the Mathematical Cognition and Learning Society (MCLS) Conference, Dublin, Ireland.
Alam, S. S., Dubé, A. K. (2020, April). Digital math practice as an intervention tool for mathematical learning disabilities: A systematic review. Poster presentation at the “Division C Outstanding Graduate Student Research Poster” Symposium at the 2020 American Educational Research Association (AERA) Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA, USA.
Kacmaz, G., & Dubé, A. K. (2020, April 17-21). Examining pedagogical approaches and types of math knowledge in educational math games: A critical review. Paper presentation at the American Educational Research Association (AERA) Conference, San Francisco, CA, United States.
Alam, S. S., & Dubé, A. K. (2019, October). Developing a Mathematics Application to Improve Children’s Magnitude Comparison Skill. Paper presented at the 2019 Technology, Mind and Society (TMS) Conference, Washington, DC, USA.
Wen, R., & Dubé, A. K. (2019, October). A view of evolution for educational technology from 2011 to 2017.. Paper presented at the 2019 Technology, Mind and Society Conference, Washington, DC, USA.
Alam, S. S., Dubé, A. K., Chan, W. W. L., & Kong, M. N. K. (2019, August). Developing the digital home numeracy practice inventory scale (DHNP-i). Poster presented at the 2019 American Psychological Association (APA) Annual Convention, Chicago, Illinois, USA
Alam, S. S.,* & Dubé, A. K. (2019). Using mathematics applications as digital home intervention tools. Poster presented at the Mathematical Cognition and Learning Society Conference, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario
Dubé, A. K., Kacmaz, G., Wen, R., Xu, C., Alam, S. S. (2019, April). Mathematics apps in the App Store: Low transparency impedes educator’s ability to find quality apps. American Educational Research Association Conference (AERA) 2019 annual meeting, Toronto, Canada.
Dubé, A. K., Wen, R.,* Xu, C.,* Kacmaz, G.,* Montazam, A.,* Nair, A.,* & Alam, S. S.* (2019). Are math games helping or hurting children’s flexible mathematical thinking? Testing the role of attention in flexible strategy use. In J. Lee (Chair), Is Touch screen technology a double-edged sword in mathematics education? Symposia conducted at the Mathematical Cognition and Learning Society Conference, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario
Kacmaz, G., * Alam, S. S., * Wen, R., * Xu, C., * & Dubé, A. K. (2019, March). The role of executive attention in adults’ flexible strategy use. Poster presented at the 18th Annual EGSS Conference, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.
Montazami, A., * Wen, R., * Kacmaz, G., * Xu, C., * Alam, S. S., *; Nair, A., * & Dubé, A. K. (2019, March). A study of educational math apps in App Store. Poster presented at the 18th Annual EGSS Conference, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
Nair, A., & Dubé, A. K. (2019, March). Assessing the effectiveness of mathematically-enhanced reading intervention for word problems. Poster presented at the 18th Annual EGSS Conference, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.
Wen, R.,* & Dubé, A. K. (2019, March). Technology Trend in Education. Paper presented at the 18th Annual EGSS Conference, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.
Xu, C.,* Wen, R.,* Alam, S. S.,* Kacmaz, G.,* Nair, A.,* Montazami, A.,* & Dubé, A. K. (2019, March). Testing the role of executive attention in children’s flexible mathematical thinking. Poster presented at the EGSS 18th Annual Conference, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.
Dubé, A. K., Alam, S. S.,* Wen, R,* Xu, C.,* & Kacmaz, G.* (2018, July). Are math games helping or hurting flexible mathematical thinking: Testing the role of attention in flexible strategy use. Poster presented at the Canadian Society for Brain, Behaviour, and Cognitive Science 28th annual meeting, St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada.
Dubé, A. K., Wen R.,* Kacmaz, G.,* Xu, C.,* Alam, S. S.* (2018, July). A scan of the mathematics educational apps in the App Store: What information are developers providing to parents? Poster presented at the Canadian Society for Brain, Behaviour, and Cognitive Science 28th annual meeting, St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada.
Alam, S. S .,* & Dubé, A. K. (2018, June). Mathematics education for developing mathematics competence: Challenges & implications. Paper presented at the Canada International Conference on Education (CICE), University of Toronto, Mississauga, Canada.
Wen, R.,* Xu, C.,* Alam, S. S.,* & Kacmaz, G.* (2018, March). A Scan of the Mathematics Educational Applications in the Apple App Store. Paper presented at the 17th Annual EGSS Conference, McGill University, Canada.
Kacmaz, G.,* Xu, C.,* Wen, R.,* & Alam, S. S.* (2018, March). Professional Development Trainings for Teachers to Effectively Integrate Tablets into Classroom. Poster presented at the 17th Annual EGSS Conference, McGill University, Canada.
Dubé, A. K., McEwen, R., & Alam, S. S.* (2017, June). Child-touchscreen communication: What happens when children learn using tablet computers? In A. K. Dubé (Chair), Touchscreens, "real-life", and development. Symposia conducted at the biennial meeting of the Jean Piaget Society, San Francisco, CA, USA.
Recent Media
Learning from home: How to record a presentation using zoom
Dr. Dubé has made a guide outlining how you can record your own presentations from home using Zoom. This is an easy process that allows you to have both your slides and a video of your face in the presentation. The resulting file can then be uploaded to mycourses or emailed to conferences to share with others.
Development of Curriculum Guides for Discovery Tour Games to Enhance Adoption of Games for Learning
Chu Xu and Robin Sharma's poster and talk presented at the Technology, Learning, and Society Conference from 4th – 6th November 2021.