ICT-Mediated Pedagogical Strategy to Strengthen Mathematical Reasoning Skills in Sixth-Grade Students

The aim of this research was to design a pedagogical strategy mediated by ICTs to strengthen the learning competencies associated with mathematical reasoning for problem solving in sixth grade (equivalent to junior high school) students at Centro Educativo Campo Galan, located in the Campo Galan Township of Barrancabermeja, Santander, Colombia. This project followed a quantitative approach, where a diagnostic test was designed in order to evaluate numerical, spatial-metric, and random thinking. The analysis of the results allowed determining the students' level of mathematical reasoning. The flaws found were the basis upon which a virtual and playful pedagogical strategy was designed. This motivated and led to pleasant spaces for attractive and meaningful learning. The strategy was titled En el campo cuento y aprendo [Counting and learning in the field], and its main objective was to present a problem situation which would motivate and improve mathematical reasoning for problem solving. The results obtained evidenced a significant increase in the students' performance regarding numerical and random thinking, as well as in spatial-metric thinking to a lesser extent.