ERIC Number: EJ1050818
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2015-Mar
Pages: 8
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-8756-3894
EISSN: N/A
Using Math Apps for Improving Student Learning: An Exploratory Study in an Inclusive Fourth Grade Classroom
Zhang, Meilan; Trussell, Robert P.; Gallegos, Benjamin; Asam, Rasmiyeh R.
TechTrends: Linking Research and Practice to Improve Learning, v59 n2 p32-39 Mar 2015
Recent years have seen a quick expansion of tablet computers in households and schools. One of the educational affordances of tablet computers is using math apps to engage students in mathematics learning. However, given the short history of the mobile devices, little research exists on the effectiveness of math apps, particularly for struggling students. To fill in the gap, an exploratory study was conducted in an inclusive fourth grade classroom, in which about half of the students were either at-risk or had disabilities. The students used three math apps that employed different scaffolding strategies to support learning of decimals and multiplication. Pre- and post-tests showed that use of the math apps improved student learning in mathematics and reduced the achievement gap between struggling students and typical students. More studies should be conducted to identify effective math apps.
Descriptors: Inclusion, Mathematical Applications, Laptop Computers, Grade 4, Mathematics Education, Computer Uses in Education, At Risk Students, Disabilities, Scaffolding (Teaching Technique), Courseware, Pretests Posttests, Multiplication, Arithmetic, Mathematics Achievement, Teaching Methods, Student Improvement, Handheld Devices
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Grade 4; Intermediate Grades; Elementary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A