Technology Across the Curriculum: Math

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Technology Across the Curriculum Math

• Using AT in the Mathematics Process

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• Mathematics is a science of things that have a
  pattern of regularity and logical order
  (Schoenfeld, 1992).

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• Doing mathematics takes effort and initiative.
• The classroom must be an environment where doing
  mathematics is not threatening and where every
  student is respected for his or her ideas.
• The teachers role is to create this spirit of
  inquiry, trust, and expectation.

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• Too often, special education math instruction
  focuses on mastery of algorithms, repeated
  practice with limited opportunity for students to
  explain verbally their reasoning and receive
  feedback on their evolving knowledge of concepts
  and strategies.
• In other words, special education mathematics
  instruction continues to focus on computation
  rather than mathematical understanding.
• (Gersten, 1999)

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Improving math instruction for students with
learning disabilities

• Focus on the concept of number sense in early
  math development.
• What is number sense?

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• Howden (1989) described number sense as a good
  intuition about numbers and their relationships.
  It develops gradually as a result of exploring
  numbers, visualizing them in a variety of
  contexts, and relating them in ways that are not
  limited by traditional algorithms (p.11).

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Basic ideas to learn.

• Basic facts for
• addition and
• multiplication
• Efficient ways of computing
• whole numbers,
• fractions, and
• decimals.

• Measurement facts
• Length
• Height
• Size
• Weight
• Names of geometric shapes.
• Telling time.
• And much more!!

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Math

• Skills (Functions)
• Computing / Calculating / Measuring
• Exact amounts
• Estimates (e.g., next dollar strategy)
• Process (Analyzing)
• Determine what type outcome is needed
• Select a formula (a math sentence)
• Fill in the values
• Determine the solution

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Math

• Writing Math
• Why do we need to write math?
• What does writing math involve?
• What are AT tools for writing math?

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AT for Math

• The purpose of AT is compensatory
• Therefore, the tools needed are those that
• Enhance or replace the skills
• Needed to produce math outcomes
• What AT tools do you use, know or have already
  seen in class?

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AT for Math

• Tools for measuring
• What do we measure?
• Length or distance
• Elapsed time
• Amounts (number, volume, weight)
• What are the barriers to measuring?
• What are the perceptual or physical barriers
• What are the cognitive barriers?

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AT for Math

• Tools for computing
• What do we compute?
• Totals
• Differences
• Proportions / percentages (e.g., tips)
• What are the barriers to computing?
• What are the perceptual or physical barriers

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What are the cognitive barriers to computing?

• Recall of
• Number names and number values
• 1 one / one one
• 3 ? ? ?
• Math operators - /
• Number facts
• Addition tables

• Equivalences
• Money equivalence (e.g., making change)
• inft, tspT, ozcup
• Computational rules
• Borrowing, carrying
• Fractions

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What are the cognitive barriers to computing?

• Knowledge of
• Math logic basic processes
• One to one correspondence
• Math operations (add, subtract, multiply, divide)
• Math linguistics (e,g., spoken or printed
  words)
• Add, and, subtract, take away, more,
• Greater than / less than

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AT Supported Math Strategies

• Many of the AT math tools are a combination of
• The tool (e.g., a calculator)
• AND
• A strategy
• Put 10.00 on the calculator
• Get items from the shopping list
• Subtract each items price as you put it in the
  cart
• Stop getting items when it says 0.00
• If the number starts with a - put the last item
  back

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The Computer as a Tool in Mathematics

• Most common tool software is the word processor.
• Other popular tools include spreadsheets,
  databases, and PowerPoint.
• Electronic Manipulatives for Numeration (applets
  and software)

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http//illuminations.nctm.org

• National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
  (NCTM)
• Navigation Series (CD-ROMs)
• Illuminations (applets)
• Lessons
• Standards
• On-line tools
• Web resources

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Software Talking Calculator
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Software Making Sense With Numbers (Inclusive
TLC)
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Software Mighty Math Number Heroes (Riverdeep)
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Math

• Computer software can be a good tool to reinforce
  basic mathematical skills.
• However, most programs are skill-and-drill
  programs that are marketed to the general school
  population.

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• As for students with disabilities, few research
  studies have been done on the impact of computer
  use on the understanding of mathematics
  principles.
• Good software.

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Manipulatives (physical models)

• Unifix cubes
• Cuisenaire Rods
• Counters (examples plastic tiles, chips, bears)
• Ruler, tape measure
• Clocks (analog, digital)
• Abacus
• Calculator

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Unifix Cubes
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Talking Tape Measure
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Calculators contribute to the learning of
mathematics

• Benefits
• Helps to develop concepts
• Use for practice or drill
• Enhances problem solving
• Improves student attitudes
• Saves time
• Seen as a commonplace tool in society

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Talking Calculator
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• This flexible plastic ruler allows tactual and
  visual measurement. It has raised lines in 1/4
  in. increments. It is white with raised black
  lines with numbers in Braille and large print. It
  is sold in packages of 5.

• 18-inch flexible braille/large print ruler.

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Beads and Pattern Cards
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Digital Talking Clock(with braille)
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Teacher Resources

• LD online www.ldonline.org
• National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
  www.nctm.org
• Math Forum http//mathforum.com
• MegaMath
• http//www.c3.lanl.gov/mega-math
• Go to google and type in eManipulatives for early
  learning games.