Number Fact Fluency Research Project

Number facts are an important part of mathematics. Number facts include the 'essentials', such as bonds to 10, doubles and times tables. When learners can recall these facts automatically, without needing to work them out each time, working memory space is freed up. This allows learners to focus on understanding the task, choosing the correct method and solving more complex problems.

 

The aim of the Number Fact Fluency (NFF) research project was to investigate the effects of using technology, in the form of an iPad app, on learners’ ability to recall number facts; specifically, addition facts.

​

The research compared the use of the Hit the Button iPad app with a multisensory Concrete-Pictorial-Abstract (CPA) approach, where learners first used physical manipulatives to understand addition facts practically before moving on to written numbers and symbols. 

 

The findings revealed that the iPad app helped learners improve their automatic recall of addition facts. However, it had a more limited impact on their understanding of the addition concepts behind those facts. In contrast, the practical CPA approach was more effective overall because it supported both recall and understanding.

​

The project highlighted that technology can be useful for the development of mathematical knowledge but choice of software and careful consideration of the purpose of the technology should be considered. It also reinforced the importance of practical and visual teaching for helping learners to develop both number fact recall and a stronger understanding of number.