From math frustration to aha moment

Hardly any other school subject polarises opinion as much as mathematics. For some, it is logical, clear and predictable – for others, it is a closed book. Many pupils give up early on and fall behind. A project by the Human-Centred Technologies (HCT) research centre at FHV – Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences now aims to change this dynamic and promote curiosity and enjoyment in problem solving. The MathsBot was developed as part of the Cooperation & Innovation research project SimLern by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG). It is an AI-supported tool that helps learners understand mathematical tasks step by step.

Companion instead of answer machine

What makes the innovative MatheBot, developed in collaboration with BORG Schoren, so special is its combination of robust mathematical testing logic and AI-generated explanatory texts. While a fixed set of rules checks each calculation step in the background, the AI formulates the appropriate hints and explanations. The solution is deliberately not displayed immediately. The bot first provides light food for thought, then more concrete help, and only at the end does it provide a complete, comprehensible solution.

‘This clearly distinguishes the system from classic AI chatbots, which often deliver ready-made results without revealing the thought processes behind them,’ says Elias Berchtold, research assistant at the HCT research centre. "Our goal was never to solve mathematics automatically. We want to accompany thought processes, not replace them." The MatheBot shows that AI empowers learners when it doesn't provide the answer, but rather makes the path to the answer visible.

Pilot trial with BORG Schoren

BORG Schoren in Dornbirn tested MatheBot for the first time last December in mathematics lessons. Ten lower school pupils worked on maths problems and used the bot whenever they got stuck. The aim was to help the pupils understand and practise algebraic operations. The chatbot recognises equivalent equations 100 per cent of the time and, in the event of an error, provides appropriate explanations tailored to the learner's individual input. Despite some initial technical difficulties, the feedback from the pilot group was overwhelmingly positive. Teachers reported higher motivation because learners received immediate feedback and were not left in the dark for long.

‘The results of the pilot test are extremely promising. The chatbot shows great potential for making mathematical content more understandable and accessible to individuals. The collaboration with the FHV was extremely productive. We will therefore continue to follow the development closely and look forward to the next steps,’ explains Pablo Zuder, teacher of mathematics and computer science at BORG Schoren.

The pupils themselves also responded with interest: many wanted to solve the tasks correctly in order to receive ‘positive feedback from the bot’. For the project team, this is an indication that adaptive feedback can increase engagement and reduce frustration.

‘Maths is often a sticking point, especially in lower grades. If we can reduce frustration and encourage curiosity here, everyone wins: students, teachers and the Vorarlberg education region. The pilot group confirms that we are on the right track,’ says Aydin Cengizhan, who co-developed the MathsBot as a research assistant at the HCT Research Centre.

Less work for teachers

Unlike traditional exercise formats, MatheBot provides immediate and individually tailored feedback. This allows for more practice in less time, encourages independent work and reduces the workload for teachers, who can then focus more on challenging questions. The application is web-based and can therefore be used on any device.
 
The development team has placed great emphasis on responsible implementation. The mathematical calculations run locally on the users' devices. The AI, in turn, is operated locally at the respective institute. This ensures that no personal data leaves the system. In addition, technical safeguards and system prompts ensure that MatheBot is not misused. The project is thus in line with current FHV initiatives to design AI learning systems in a responsible, secure and transparent manner.

Part of the larger SimLern project

MatheBot was developed as part of the FFG-funded SimLern project. The aim is to develop AI-supported learning environments for the Lake Constance economic region. Real work and learning situations are replicated in simulation-based scenarios, which AI dynamically adapts, explains and accompanies. Companies will be able to use this infrastructure in future to develop their own learning processes. The team is currently evaluating feedback from the pilot test. Plans include expanding the functions, including multilingualism, different levels of detail in the explanations, and possible extensions to other school subjects and use in other schools in Vorarlberg.