#12- Hasselbring, T., Lott, A., & Zydney, J. 2006. Technology-Supported Math Instruction for Students with Disabilities: Two Decades of Research and D

This article discusses ways in which technology can help students with math difficulties. According to the NCTI, there are six purposes of technology use to help students learn mathematics, which include:
1. building computational fluency
2. converting symbols, notations, and text
3. building conceptual understanding
4. making calculations and creating mathematical representations
5. organizing ideas
6. building problem solving and reasoning

The article goes into depth about each one of the six purposes of technology throughout the paper and gives examples of technology that satisfy that particular purpose. After describing each purpose the authors end with a summary discussion the positives of these technology software, such as low cost, a non-traditional approach to teaching mathematics, and much research has been done to identify theses as some of the best practices.

Tomorrow, I am actually going to evaluate some mathematic software, so this article was a good preview for me. Also, in my high school practicum, I watched students use software to develop algebraic skills. Each student has a different learning style and I think having technology available for students to practice and learn concepts from computer programs is necessary in the classroom. I remember loving Fraction Muncher when I was young and I am very good with fractions now, so it could be beneficial. The downfall is when an instructor focuses only on the computer software or the software is not flexible with student responses because students can come up with the correct solution in many different ways. If teachers take the time to evaluate what students need and match their needs to the appropriate computer software, then I think computer software can be very effective in the classroom.