Mobile Application on ABACUS

Abstract

Abacus is an ancient mathematical instrument used for calculation. Abacus calculating tool is compulsory to learn by all the level one (standard one to three) primary school students in Malaysia. However, abacus is a monotonous subject as it requires endless practices and also to memorize the formulas. Furthermore, the abacus related mobile applications at the current market focus only at the addition and subtraction whereas the abacus syllabus covers addition, subtraction, multiplication as well as division. To address this problem, a mobile game, Fun with ABACUS has been developed using App Inventor. The application focuses on addition, subtraction, multiplication and division up to three digits number. The methodology used to achieve the objective is prototyping-based methodology. User testing has also been conducted to evaluate the application. This involve 11 students and 14 parents and teachers. The results show positive feedback among the students, teachers and parents. This application also serves as an alternative to encourage and assist the users in knowing and learning basic abacus calculating method. It is hoped that this mobile game with the suitable learning concept can motivate the children to be interested in learning abacus.