Secondary Benefits to Attentional Processing Through Intervention With an Interactive Maths App

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Psychology
• Educational Technology
• Developmental Psychology

Background:

• Previous research indicates an interactive math app improves early mathematical skills in children globally.
• Teachers consistently report improved concentration in children using this app.
• This study investigates cognitive benefits beyond mathematics, specifically attention, memory, and processing speed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine if an interactive math app intervention leads to additional cognitive benefits, such as improved visual attention, short-term memory, and processing speed.
• To validate teacher-reported improvements in children's concentration.
• To compare the effects of a math app, a non-math app, and standard practice on cognitive skills.

Main Methods:

• Secondary data analysis from a three-arm randomized control trial involving 318 children (73-161 months) in a Malawian primary school.
• Children were randomized into three groups: math app, non-math app (placebo), and standard teacher-led practice.
• Cognitive tasks assessing mathematics, visual attention, short-term memory, and manual processing speed were administered at baseline and after an 8-week intervention.

Main Results:

• The math app intervention resulted in significant, independent gains in both mathematics and visual attention.
• Improvements in visual attention were specifically linked to interactions with the math app, not the tablet or non-math software.
• No significant attention benefits were observed in the placebo or control groups.

Conclusions:

• High-quality, interactive educational apps can enhance attentional processing alongside targeted scholastic skills.
• The interactive math app provides a dual benefit, improving both mathematical attainment and visual attention.
• Findings support the use of educational technology to foster cognitive development in young learners.