Equivalence tasks in a digital algebraic notation system promotes performance in middle school mathematics

The concept of equivalence can be elusive to students and can be confounded with unproductive understandings of the equals sign. Using the game-based digital algebraic notation system, From Here to There! (FH2T), students explore ideas of equivalence by dynamically transforming expressions or equations among mathematically equivalent states. In fall of 2019, 409 middle-school students completed a randomized control trial where they worked in either GM or an online problem set control over four half-hour sessions during their math block. We found that students in the FH2T condition showed enhanced performance over the control (p=.043, ηp² =.010). We will describe the FH2T technology, describe our results, and discuss implications for the usefulness of digital environments in mathematics education. Copyright © 2020 ISLS.