Apps Meet Ancestry: A Digital Ethnomathematics Play Framework for Preschool Problem-Solving.
Saved in:
| Title: | Apps Meet Ancestry: A Digital Ethnomathematics Play Framework for Preschool Problem-Solving. |
|---|---|
| Authors: | Ndeot, Felisitas1 icananoarta@gmail.com, Hartati, Sofia1 sofiahartati@unj.ac.id, Hapidin1 hapidin@unj.ac.id |
| Source: | International Journal of Special Education. 2026 Special Issue, Vol. 41, p369-382. 14p. |
| Subject Terms: | *Problem solving, *Mathematics education, *Educational technology, *Instructional systems, *Preschool education, *Early childhood education, Educational computer games, Cultural property |
| Abstract: | Culturally-relevant mathematics experiences are rarely woven into the fast-growing market of preschool learning apps, leaving an untapped opportunity to foster heritage appreciation and early problem-solving skills. This study, therefore, introduces Ancestry Play. This tablet-based framework embeds ethnomathematical artefacts, batik tessellations, traditional bead patterns, and folklore-inspired puzzles into adaptive, playcentred challenges for children aged 4 to 6. Guided by designbased research, we translated three principles (cultural authenticity, playful scaffolding, and data-driven adaptation) into a modular architecture comprising Story, Pattern, and Builder mini-games. A quasi-experimental trial was conducted with 112 Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT) Indonesian preschoolers: an experimental group (n = 57) used Ancestry Play for six weeks in 20-minute daily sessions, while a control group (n = 55) followed their usual paper-based numeracy routine. Pre- and postassessments employed the Math Problem-Solving Checklist and in-app analytics; data were analyzed with ANCOVA and thematic coding. Results revealed a statistically significant gain in complex problem-solving (F(1,109)=9.87, p < .01, η² = .083) for the experimental cohort, accompanied by higher engagement time (M = 14.2 min ± 2.1) and frequent strategy shifts that mirrored indigenous pattern heuristics. Qualitative observations indicated elevated cultural pride and peer narration around ancestral motifs. The findings suggest that ethnomathematicsinfused digital play boosts early mathematical reasoning and strengthens cultural identity. We discuss scalability across diverse heritages and outline future work on longitudinal retention and teacher-authored content plug-ins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of International Journal of Special Education is the property of International Journal of Special Education and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Education Research Complete |
| FullText | Links: – Type: pdflink Text: Availability: 0 |
|---|---|
| Header | DbId: ehh DbLabel: Education Research Complete An: 195177018 AccessLevel: 6 PubType: Academic Journal PubTypeId: academicJournal PreciseRelevancyScore: 0 |
| IllustrationInfo | |
| Items | – Name: Title Label: Title Group: Ti Data: Apps Meet Ancestry: A Digital Ethnomathematics Play Framework for Preschool Problem-Solving. – Name: Author Label: Authors Group: Au Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Ndeot%2C+Felisitas%22">Ndeot, Felisitas</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo><i> icananoarta@gmail.com</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Hartati%2C+Sofia%22">Hartati, Sofia</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo><i> sofiahartati@unj.ac.id</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Hapidin%22">Hapidin</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo><i> hapidin@unj.ac.id</i> – Name: TitleSource Label: Source Group: Src Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22International+Journal+of+Special+Education%22">International Journal of Special Education</searchLink>. 2026 Special Issue, Vol. 41, p369-382. 14p. – Name: Subject Label: Subject Terms Group: Su Data: *<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Problem+solving%22">Problem solving</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Mathematics+education%22">Mathematics education</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+technology%22">Educational technology</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Instructional+systems%22">Instructional systems</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Preschool+education%22">Preschool education</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Early+childhood+education%22">Early childhood education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+computer+games%22">Educational computer games</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Cultural+property%22">Cultural property</searchLink> – Name: Abstract Label: Abstract Group: Ab Data: Culturally-relevant mathematics experiences are rarely woven into the fast-growing market of preschool learning apps, leaving an untapped opportunity to foster heritage appreciation and early problem-solving skills. This study, therefore, introduces Ancestry Play. This tablet-based framework embeds ethnomathematical artefacts, batik tessellations, traditional bead patterns, and folklore-inspired puzzles into adaptive, playcentred challenges for children aged 4 to 6. Guided by designbased research, we translated three principles (cultural authenticity, playful scaffolding, and data-driven adaptation) into a modular architecture comprising Story, Pattern, and Builder mini-games. A quasi-experimental trial was conducted with 112 Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT) Indonesian preschoolers: an experimental group (n = 57) used Ancestry Play for six weeks in 20-minute daily sessions, while a control group (n = 55) followed their usual paper-based numeracy routine. Pre- and postassessments employed the Math Problem-Solving Checklist and in-app analytics; data were analyzed with ANCOVA and thematic coding. Results revealed a statistically significant gain in complex problem-solving (F(1,109)=9.87, p < .01, η² = .083) for the experimental cohort, accompanied by higher engagement time (M = 14.2 min ± 2.1) and frequent strategy shifts that mirrored indigenous pattern heuristics. Qualitative observations indicated elevated cultural pride and peer narration around ancestral motifs. The findings suggest that ethnomathematicsinfused digital play boosts early mathematical reasoning and strengthens cultural identity. We discuss scalability across diverse heritages and outline future work on longitudinal retention and teacher-authored content plug-ins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] – Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright Label: Group: Ab Data: <i>Copyright of International Journal of Special Education is the property of International Journal of Special Education and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) |
| PLink | https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=ehh&AN=195177018 |
| RecordInfo | BibRecord: BibEntity: Languages: – Code: eng Text: English PhysicalDescription: Pagination: PageCount: 14 StartPage: 369 Subjects: – SubjectFull: Problem solving Type: general – SubjectFull: Mathematics education Type: general – SubjectFull: Educational technology Type: general – SubjectFull: Instructional systems Type: general – SubjectFull: Preschool education Type: general – SubjectFull: Early childhood education Type: general – SubjectFull: Educational computer games Type: general – SubjectFull: Cultural property Type: general Titles: – TitleFull: Apps Meet Ancestry: A Digital Ethnomathematics Play Framework for Preschool Problem-Solving. Type: main BibRelationships: HasContributorRelationships: – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Ndeot, Felisitas – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Hartati, Sofia – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Hapidin IsPartOfRelationships: – BibEntity: Dates: – D: 09 M: 01 Text: 2026 Special Issue Type: published Y: 2026 Identifiers: – Type: issn-print Value: 08273383 Numbering: – Type: volume Value: 41 Titles: – TitleFull: International Journal of Special Education Type: main |
| ResultId | 1 |
