Lehtonen studied the potential of educational technologies for supporting primary school students’ mathematics learning. She collected her research data from 18 teachers and 163 students using various research methods (e.g., classroom interventions, interviews, and paper-based tests). The initial study indicates that students who used a traditional learning tool learned a new mathematical concept better than their peers who used a tablet app. Based on these findings, in collaboration with a team of computer science students, Lehtonen developed a new technological learning app that helps primary school students learn mathematics. The developed app combines the strengths of physical and virtual learning tools. It utilizes multimodal technology: instead of tapping and scrolling a touch screen, students interact with the app by manipulating physical objects.
“The research results demonstrate that the developed technological learning tool supported the mathematics learning of students at different attainment levels. It assists students in expressing their mathematical thinking and interacting with peers. It also motivates them to learn math. Moreover, the new tool helps low- and middle-attaining students develop their understanding of new mathematical concepts while assisting high-attaining students in checking their calculation”’, Lehtonen highlights.
The doctoral dissertation of MA (Industrial Design) Daranee Lehtonen in the field of educational science titled ‘Now I Get It!’: Developing a Real-World Design Solution for Understanding Equation-Solving Concepts will be publicly examined at the Faculty of Education and Culture of Tampere University at 13 o’clock on Friday 11th February 2022 in the Väinö Linna Auditorium of the Linna Building (Kalevantie 5, Tampere). Docent Lasse Eronen, University of Eastern Finland will be the opponent, and Docent Jorma Joutsenlahti, Faculty of Education and Culture, Tampere University will act as the custos.
The dissertation is available online at