Questions to Consider for Educational Applications

     As stated in my previous post, assistive technology (AT) could be used in mathematics. IEP team members need to take a few questions into consideration when and if a device will meet the needs of students. Key questions that should be considered when selecting educational applications to meet students' goals and objectives include:

1. What is the intended outcome of the use of the educational application? For example, is it meant to strengthen math skills in problem solving or is it meant to build speed and accuracy with basic math facts?
2. Is the educational applications likely to fulfill its stated purpose? For example, if the stated purpose of the activity is to build problem-solving skills, does it provide the explanatory feedback needed to do so or simply assess whether or not problems are solved correctly?
3. Can the educational applications be used as an alternative to traditional classroom activities to enhance students' participation? For example, will students learn as effectively using online math manipulatives as they would using traditional manipulatives?