Math

It's important to use SETT framework to help identify the area(s) of student difficulty regarding math, before researching appropriate tools that can help.

What do you know about the STUDENT, ENVIRONMENT & TASK?

Math tools are usually very targeted for the specific math task a child needs to accomplish. Therefore, it's difficult to find general tools to help with math because they are very task-specific.

This highlights the importance of accurately identifying the area of difficulty before selecting the TOOL.

What are the 3 areas of difficulty related to MATH?

Automaticity and fluency

Difficulty completing basic math facts quickly and accurately

Difficulty remembering basic facts as their typical peers
Difficulty with recall or it takes a long time

2. Visual-spatial or motor control

Difficulty with fine-motor or visual-spatial issues

Difficulty writing numbers or aligning digits
Difficulty creating visual representations of shapes
Written work is difficult to read, numbers in wrong position
Physical difficulties, fatigue

3. Math concepts, skills and problem-solving

Difficulty with understanding the underlying math concepts

Does not understand steps to solve a problem (i.e. one-to-one correspondence, counting, sorting)
Does not know how to recognize a problem

Physical Manipulatives (LOW TECH)

MATH CONCEPTS & SKILLS

Physical manipulatives are a tried and true staple in many early learning programs, as there are so many ways they can be used to engage and support learning for young children.

For the learning of math skills, children can sort, count, pattern, add, subtract, group and build shapes with manipulatives. Using these visual, physical objects can help improve a child's understanding of abstract math concepts.

Rubber/foam stamps with numbers (LOW TECH)

MOTOR CONTROL

For students who struggle with certain types of math activities that require writing numbers or equations, the use of low-tech solutions like rubber or foam number stamps can provide support. This can be an alternative for children who have decreased arm strength or muscle fatigue.

For very young children, they may not yet have the fine motor development to write numbers legibly. However they can also use number stamps to explore what numbers look like and begin to learn to sequence them on paper.

Virtual Manipulatives (HIGH TECH)

MATH CONCEPTS & SKILLS / MOTOR CONTROL

Virtual manipulatives are digital objects (in a computer software program) that represent physical objects. Just like physical manipulatives, virtual manipulatives can help a child or student understand abstract math concepts; however they interact with the digital objects on the computer using their mouse, keyboard, track pad or touch screen.

Teachers and parents can use virtual manipulatives for children who do not have the motor control or muscle development to work effectively with physical manipulatives to support math learning. They can also be used in addition to physical manipulatives as a way to extend learning.

RESOURCE: Didax - Virtual Manipulatives

Park Math HD (HIGH TECH)

MATH CONCEPTS & SKILLS / FINE MOTOR

Park Math HD is an app for an iPhone or iPad that has math games and activities with animations that help children learn how to count, add, subtract, sort and make patterns. Young children can count the number of times a rabbit's swings, and subtract ducks as they go down a slide, so they are manipulating virtual objects. The app is easy for teachers, parents and children to navigate, and scaffolds learning by adding more challenge as the child progresses. Also adjusts to remove obstacles when needed to support the student’s understanding.

Good to support a young child who maybe has difficulty working with physical manipulatives due to fine motor challenges, but is able to easily point, tap and swipe.

RESOURCE: Park Math HD

RESOURCE: Arcademics Jumping Chicks

Arcademics Jumping Chicks (HIGH TECH)

AUTOMATICITY & FLUENCY

Helps develop automaticity in addition by practicing through repetitive play and using visual representations of numbers (such as in the picture to the left, where the duck needs to jump on the lilypad grouping of 8). The Arcademics makes the learning fun and engaging, with the competitive nature of video games, keeping students focused.

REFERENCES

Dell, A. (2017). Assistive Technology in the Classroom (What's New in Special Education), Pearson Education. Kindle Edition.

Obukowicz M. (2009). Assessing Students’ Needs for Assistive Technology, Retrieved from: http://www.wati.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Ch8-Mathematics.pdf

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