Students’ Use of Active Electronic Support Tools in Mathematics: A Descriptive Study

• In Event: Roundtable Session 82
  In Roundtable Session: Reenvisioning the Role of Technology in Education

Abstract

Active electronic support tools (e.g., hyperlinks; audio support; online calculators) have the capacity to increase the achievement of students with disabilities in mathematics. Some research exists supporting the use of electronic support tools in reading but little research has been conducted in math, and even less on the use of electronic support tools by students with disabilities. A small-scale study was conducted on student use of six active electronic support tools. Results demonstrated students' reliance on the embedded calculator, key terms dictionary and hyperlinked vocabulary words. Audio support for these tools was chosen in approximately 50% of the cases. No correlation was found between tool use and academic gains although students who used the tools most frequently shared similar characteristics.

Author

• Lindy L. Crawford, Texas Christian University