Tips for Integrating Math Technology in the Classroom

As a district level instructional coach, I have supported teachers with best practices for technology integration in math through online platforms and apps that have enhanced the quality of practice and instruction. In this blog post, I explore a variety of ways in which math technology can engage students, personalize their learning experiences, and support educators in making informed decisions about integrating resources.

What Are the Benefits of Teaching Math Using Technology?

In my work as an instructional coach, I have found that math technology in the classroom offers numerous benefits that contribute to a more effective and engaging learning experience. The tools that my district has chosen to integrate into math instruction make it so students are interacting with math that is personalized to their needs, which helps them to understand abstract concepts.

One of my district’s most utilized apps is Waggle, which creates personalized and adaptive learning pathways for students. The program provides targeted instruction that meets the current learning needs of each student and offers gaming incentives for continued engagement. Waggle gives teachers feedback on student performance through real-time insights that assist teachers with the instructional decision-making process. My district’s approach to embracing digital tools for instruction, practice, and assessment (such as Waggle) has been transformational. At the end of the 2022–2023 school year, my district saw an 8.1 percentage point increase in state assessment math scores.

How to Integrate Technology in the Math Classroom

When integrating technology in math, it is essential to consider the specific needs of your students, the available resources, and the learning objectives. Additionally, providing training and support for both teachers and students is crucial for successful implementation. My district is especially invested in a personalized professional development approach that considers both teachers’ diverse approaches to instruction and students’ diverse skills and backgrounds in order to best teach math with technology. We schedule ongoing support mechanisms such as coaching, mentoring, and collaborative learning cadres that help foster continued improvement and have established a feedback process that encourages teachers to reflect on how they integrate math and technology in the classroom. Teachers also provide constructive feedback to the coaches and mentors, so that they can improve and customize their support.

The coaching team being employed plays a variety of roles. They can model best practices in technology integration and demonstrate how to effectively incorporate math technology resources into lessons, assessments, and overall student instruction in a way that aligns with district learning objectives. This holistic approach, where coaches consider all the varied needs of teachers and their students, lays the foundation for the successful implementation of educational initiatives, which in turn contributes to the overall growth of both teachers and students alike.

Tips for Integrating Math Technology in the Classroom

With advancements in educational technology, educators have an abundance of opportunities to foster a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts. Integration of math technology can create a positive learning environment that promotes student engagement and eliminates excessive lecturing. It’s essential to uncover a balance and make sure that the technology tools complement and enhance traditional teaching methods rather than replace them entirely.

Tip 1: Take time to select what tools to integrate.

As you begin the process of integration, first identify the objectives for technology selection that align with curriculum and instructional goals. Take time to review district expectations and timelines as well as scope and sequences for math units. Once goals have been identified, begin familiarizing yourself with math-related technology tools that will support students’ needs and foster engagement.

Tip 2: Consider all your students’ needs.

To foster an inclusive learning environment, educators must consider the diverse needs of all students. Recognizing that students possess varying strengths, limitations, and experiences, teachers must incorporate a differentiated approach. Integration of math technology allows for teachers to tailor their teaching methods, assessments, and materials.

Tip 3: Try to stay ahead of the curve.

As you familiarize yourself with technology tools, continue to stay informed about the latest developments in math technology. You can research current trends by attending workshops, webinars, and conferences that enhance your skills and support the discovery of new tools and strategies.

Tip 4: Start small.

Remember to start small and begin by incorporating one or two mathematical tools into your daily instruction. If you try to do too much at once, it can be overwhelming for both you and your students.

Tip 5: Check in regularly on what tech you’re using.

As you begin implementing different technology tools, regularly assess whether it’s effective technology use in math class. Solicit feedback from students, and reflect on what is working well and what might need adjustment. Ultimately, math and technology should complement each other; technology can enhance the “traditional” teaching method of students doing math with a pencil and paper rather than replace it entirely.

Math Technology Resources for Teachers

Modern classrooms are no longer confined to just textbooks. Digital tools and resources have become powerful tools for teaching and learning mathematics. Students can find rigorous content, realistic simulations, and interactive exercises that cater to different modalities of learning and make math more accessible and enjoyable. Below are some resources to consider implementing in daily instruction:

• Virtual Manipulatives: Online manipulatives, like a geometry sketcher or digital algebra tiles, allow students the opportunity to explore and interact with mathematical concepts in a virtual environment. Virtual manipulatives help math learners to see concepts in different representations and learn them more deeply.
• Adaptive Learning Systems: Math technology is capable of analyzing student performance and adjusting the difficulty level of problems accordingly. This personalized approach ensures that students receive targeted support and progress at their own pace, building a solid foundation in mathematics along the way. Waggle, for example, tailors instruction and practice to individual student needs. The program also formatively assesses students to help guide the teacher.
• Gamified Learning Experiences: Online math games make math more enjoyable and motivating for students. When done well, math games and apps integrate educational content into engaging challenges, turning learning into fun and interactive experiences. These gamified approaches not only capture students’ interest but also reinforce mathematical skills through repeated practice. Waggle offers a gaming component where students can play against themselves, the computer, or friends. Many of Waggle’s games support fact fluency as an additional component of solidifying mathematical foundational skills.
• Collaborative Math Tools: These tools facilitate collaboration among students and between students and teacher. Online collaborative tools enable real-time interaction, allowing students to work together on math problems, share ideas, and receive instant feedback. This fosters a sense of community and encourages teamwork in the learning process.

Incorporating technology in the math classroom is transforming the way students learn and interact with mathematical concepts. Embracing these advancements not only improves the teaching and learning of mathematics but also prepares students for a future where technology is an integral part of their lives. As we continue to explore how to incorporate math technology that makes learning interactive and personalized, it is important to keep in mind that the overarching goal is not to use technology for the sake of using technology, but rather to improve student learning outcomes.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of HMH.

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Explore Waggle, our K–8 practice app for math and ELA that uses technology to ensure students are faced with the right mathematical challenge at the right to time to yield incredible growth in number sense, operations and algebraic thinking, and more.