My students need iPad2s to individualize and differentiate their learning, provide engaging instant feedback to advance their math learning and close the achievement gap.
Solid number sense and math facts are the foundation for future math learning, achievement and high level critical thinking. But the question is, how to engage 28 active 1st graders in rigorous math instruction when their ability levels range from preschool to second grade.
Our school is a moderate poverty school with a wide scope of languages, ethnicities, and parental involvement, half of my students are English Language Learners.
The school-provided computer has a 3 inch floppy drive ... it is older than most of my students' parents. Many of my students do not have any form of technology in their homes. My students are a charming, active group with a wide range of abilities. Some do not count to 30 without help while others count and write numbers well past 200. Some students need objects to demonstrate facts such as 7+1=8 while others create the number 8 by orally stating: 8=1000-992. There is clearly a need to differentiate instruction and to support English Language Learners. Technology allows me to reach past the language barrier to provide significant concept and skills instruction, practice and differentiation. iPad2s can provide essential practice to provide the critical growth needed early on to build a strong foundation in mathematics.
My Project
The iPad2 offers hands-on, highly motivating, targeted learning. Students set math goals, learn while playing iPad2 apps, and monitor progress. iPad2 apps are selected to correspond with a student's needs and goals. The iPad2 apps provide instant feedback and multi-sensory input and output. By targeting students early and specifically we actively close the achievement gap. There are many math apps which focus on teaching math facts in an animated way while meeting each student at his/her current ability level without being limited by English language proficiency. Students develop number sense by using apps that require them to represent numerals with images. The Numbers app will be used to develop graphing and presentation skills and recording data about the apps used in class. The iPad2 capabilities for skills instruction, reinforcement, graphing and presenting allows each student unprecedented flexibility both in the delivery and output of learning.
These iPad2s will help facilitate an environment for enriched, differentiated learning, instant feedback and engaging practice in foundational math skills.
My students will experience accelerated growth because they are practicing and advancing in their specific areas of need. Their confidence in their abilities to do math and their attitude toward math will be positive as a result of using the iPad2s. My students will achieve their state standards and beyond in math with the use of the iPad2s.
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