A Study of Estonian High School Students' views on Learning Mathematics and the Integration of Digital Tools in Distance Learning

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has transformed the education landscape, with distance learning and digital tools becoming increasingly essential. This shift has presented both opportunities and challenges for educators and students. We examine the intersection between distance learning and digital tools in modern education, focusing on Estonian high school students' views on learning mathematics during the pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic period, and compare learning in classroom situations to distance learning. In 2021, we conducted online interviews with 30 12th-grade students who had participated in the online course offered by the university to prepare for the state mathematics exam. Given that the Estonian education system provides significant autonomy to teachers in selecting their teaching materials and methods, we explore the benefits and challenges of distance learning and the use of digital tools such as online platforms, video conferencing software, and educational apps to support student learning. The study found that teachers did not increase their use of specific ICT tools for teaching mathematics, but instead, relied on established teaching methodologies. Furthermore, the survey showed that learners expect an online course to be rich in video material and real-time meetings, so that they can get prompt feedback on questions and problems that arise. While digital tools have opened up new possibilities for distance learning, there must be a balance between technological innovation and human connection to create effective and meaningful learning experiences.