Mortino and the Blue Pearl Heart: a structured-narrative journey through pupils’ attitude in mathematics

Abstract

This paper is situated within the field of research on how mathematics activities embedded in a storytelling setting may influence attitude towards mathematics, in primary school children. It is widely recognized in the literature that the affective dimension has a significant role in mathematical learning, especially when the subject-related prejudices may induce pupils’ anxiety. From early schooling, a mnemonic, rigid vision of mathematics risks establishing a didactical contract detached from a critical and relational approach to the discipline. This paper proposes the analysis of an experimentation based on an original story, that integrates a triadic narrative arc, story-based problems and gamification dynamics, in order to promote an encouraging and supportive learning environment in a 2nd grade classroom. Grounded in the three-dimensional model of attitude, we investigate how storytelling and gamification might facilitate for pupils a positive perception of mathematics.