Mathematics

= = =**// Mathematics //**=



**Definition** Mathematics is the science of numbers and their operations, interrelations, combinations, generalizations, and abstractions and of space configurations and their structure, measurement, transformations, and generalizations.

**Math requires you to:**
 * achieve fluency and automaticity with important information
 * achieve visual-spatial organization
 * understand math concepts and solve word problems

Mastering all these tasks is difficult for students with math disabilities. Assistive technology gives these students a variety of tools for each area that math requires to master, and we will explore them next.

__ //**Automaticity and Fluency**// __ In order to present technology-based activities that address these areas, we must first understand what automaticity and fluency are. Example: 2+3 Example: 18767*3463
 * **Automaticity** is the fast, accurate, and effortless processing of content information.
 * **Fluency** is being able to efficiently and accurately carry out procedures to solve computation problems.

//**Tools to compensate for a lack of automaticity:**//
 * Addition and Multiplication Charts
 * Calculators

//**Technology resources that help to build automaticity:**// Here is a link where you find more information about it and download the program. Timez Attack
 * FASTT Math stands for Fluency and Automaticity through Systematic Teaching with Technology. It is a math intervention program that helps students acquire math fluency. It assesses students' command of basic facts by measuring response time and then generating customized activities based on the results. As students use this program, they start to progress, strengthen memorization of facts, and eliminate the need to rely on counting strategies to solve problems.[[image:fasttmath1.png width="296" height="240"]].
 * Timez Attack focuses only on multiplication facts, teaching the 2 to 12 times tables. It engages students in high-tech video game environment featuring high-quality graphics.

**//__Visual-Spatial Organization__//** Due to fine motor control or visual spatial issues, the students with disabilities may experience difficulty with writing numbers, aligning digits in computation problems, and creating visual representation. These students often have written work that is hard to read, or it is illegible.

//**Useful Applications**// MathPad Math Talk //(Math Talk with Dragon Natural Speaking product)//
 * //The MathPad// is a talking math worksheet program that enables students to perform arithmetic computations with whole numbers on the computer, the same way they would using pencil and paper. You can find more information in the following link.
 * //The Math Talk// is especially helpful for students who rely on speech recognition to operate a computer. By downloading Dragon Naturally Speaking, a voice recognition program, these students can perform basic arithmetic and advanced mathematics. Click the link for more information regarding the Math Talk.

**__//Math Concepts, Skills, and Problem Solving//__** For students to be proficient in math, they need to be provided with opportunities for additional engagement, practice, and instruction with mathematical concepts and skills. The following links are great math resources for students with disabilities.
 * Internet 4 Classrooms website1
 * Conceptua Math website2
 * Khan Academy website 3

The following video shows how Khan Academy works and how great it is for instruction. media type="custom" key="16278116"

Resources:


 * Dell, A. G., Newton, D., & Petroff, J. (2011). //Assistive technology in the classroom, enhancing the school experiences of// //students with disabilities//. (2 ed.). Pearson education, Inc
 * Khan, S. (2012, January 18). //Watch, practice, learn almost anything for free//. Retrieved from http://www.khanacademy.org/
 * //Merriam-webster//. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mathematics