Potenziare l’apprendimento matematico con il nuovo dispositivo digitale “MagiCal”: uno studio pilota

The present pilot study aims to develop and evaluate the effects of a new digital device – the calculator MagiCal – in enhancing children’s math learning. MagiCal is designed to integrate the symbolic and non-symbolic representation of numbers, as well as motor activity Twentynine children from second grade were randomly assigned to a training group with MagiCal or to an active control group (literacy training). Children’s math abilities (math fluency, written computation, and number comparison), math anxiety and test anxiety were measured before and after the training. Compared to the active control group, the children of the MagiCal group demonstrated a significant improvement in math fluency and written computation. However, no differences were observed in comparing numbers, math anxiety and text anxiety in the two groups.