Enhancing fraction multiplication and division performance through intelligent tutoring system with visual models

Abstract

Mathematical proficiency, especially fractions, help humans to succeed in their future. However, students tend to struggle in understanding fractions, one of them is natural number bias (NNB). This study aims to address this challenge by developing a web-based math intelligent tutoring system (ITS) using the cognitive tutor authoring tools (CTATs) to create a cognitive tutor with adaptive feedback and visual models to support students in learning fraction multiplication and division. This study compares the students’ learning performance from two schools which the first school has aligned visual method with the system proposed. The results show that the experimental groups in the first school outperformed the control group with an average learning gain of 33.78%, while in the second school the control group outperformed the experimental group with average learning gain of 65.79%. Each school suggests statistically significant differences in students’ results. This highlights the effectiveness of ITS depends not only on system features but also the importance of alignment between students’ prior visual models and the visualization method in the system. Students with aligned visual method suggest positive feedback from the survey conducted, indicating its potential for improving fraction learning when it is integrated consistently with existing visual instruction.