The Use of Assistive Technology and Interactive Software to Promote the Retention of Multiplication Facts for Students with Disabilities

Poor computational fluency is the reason many students struggle in math. When students do not know their multiplication facts, they get "stuck" mathematically. It is even more challenging for students with special needs to learn and retain multiplication facts. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of technology as an effective teaching tool in mathematics education. A math unit was used to evaluate the effects of assistive technology and interactive software in developing multiplication- fact fluency with 11 special needs fourth grade students. Students were provided with opportunities to practice basic skills in an entertaining and enriching way. Students used an iPod Touch with multiplication applications and two math software programs to learn and practice multiplication facts 1-10. Data were collected through a pre, twice weekly, and post multiplication tests. Results indicate that all students increased their recall of the multiplication facts using the various technologies. The data also revealed that in using the iPod and the computer software together, the students were able to retain more multiplication facts.

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