Teaching multiplication tables online by animations with songs

The purpose of this study is to analyze the application of animations with songs developed by the researcher in the learning and teaching of basic multiplication and multiplication tables. A series of 10 short cartoon animations with easy-to-sing songs were developed by the researcher for this purpose in primary mathematics. Not only the relation between repeated addition and multiplication is featured in the instructional design of the animations, but also the strategy of teaching learners to use “Looking for Patterns” in the learning of multiple table rather than memorization has been used. The animations have been uploaded to a Google Site that are available to support Virtual and Blended Teaching and Learning. An action study about the application of the animations was carried out with the help of 6 teachers who were teaching on the 2nd grade of 3 primary schools in Hong Kong. Guidelines were given to the teachers about how the animations should be used. At the end of the teaching, online survey for the 6 teachers and 15 students were collected for their views on the songs and animations. It was observed that the students find them helpful for the learning and memorizing of multiplication tables, they also thought that the learning has been made more interesting with them. The teachers found them useful in helping students to summarize and memorize the multiplication facts. According to the views of the teachers and the students, the animations have been described as useful and enjoyable. Copyright © 2021 International Conference on Learning and Teaching.