Assistive Technology
for Use with Mathematics
Mark Smith – EDSE517
Adapted from work by Jeff Sisk

Math Skills
Math skills are essential for many daily
life activities, not just for work and
school.
Calculating Finances
Understanding Spatial
Relations
Measuring
Memorization

Characteristics of Students with
Mathematic Learning Disabilities
• difficulty learning the meaning of numbers
(number sense),
• trouble with tasks like sorting objects by shape,
size or color
• recognizing groups and patterns
• comparing and contrasting using concepts like
smaller/bigger or taller/shorter
• learning to count, recognizing numbers and
matching numbers with amounts
• difficulty solving basic math problems using
addition, subtraction, multiplication and division
• they struggle to remember and retain basic math
facts (i.e. times tables)
• trouble figuring out how to apply their knowledge
and skills to solve math problems

Characteristics of Students with
Mathematic Learning Disabilities
• difficulties in visual-spatial skills
• difficulty putting math facts down on paper
in an organized way
• Language processing disabilities can make
it hard for a person to get a grasp of the
vocabulary of math
• it may be hard to visualize patterns,
different parts of a math problem or
identify critical information needed to solve
equations and more complex problems

Handheld Devices
Calculators & Graphing Calculators
• Perform basic and advanced math
calculations
• Integrated data entry for spreadsheets and
other computer documents
• Information can be shared among
calculators

Drill & Practice Software
Mighty Math Number Heroes
• Four exciting activities that encourage
students to learn and master skills in
fractions, multiplication, division, 2D
geometry, and more.
• Develops investigation and experimentation
abilities.
Price: $29.95
http://www.riverdeep.net

Drill & Practice Software
Wild West Math
• Helps students in grades 2 - 6 develop and
refine fundamental math skills.
• Memorization of basic math facts to the
process of long division.
• Program activities can be adjusted to
accommodate a wide range of learning needs.
• Tutorial help screens provide carefully
structured assistance.
Price: $41.94
http://www.micrograms.com

Simulations
Math Heads
• Help students develop pre-algebra skills;
solve word problems
• Make mental calculations
• Compute fractions, decimals, percentages,
and equivalences
• Build estimation skills
• Use logical thinking skills.
Price: $79.95
http://www.theatrix.com

Simulations
Astro Algebra
• Develops familiarity with whole and rational
numbers, decimals, fractions, ratios,
proportions, and percents
• Introduces expressions, equations,
functions, inequalities, and graphs
• Covers points, functions, equations, and
inequalities with number lines and
coordinate planes Price: $69.95
http://www.riverdeep.net

Simulations
Cosmic Geometry
• Virtual Manipulatives help students make
the connection between concrete and
abstract concepts
• Grow Slides automatically present more
advanced topics and problems
Price: $69.95
http://www.riverdeep.net

Simulations
SMARTBoard
• Virtual Manipulatives help students make
the connection between concrete and
abstract concepts

Simulations
Internet Resources
• Virtual Manipulatives help students make the
connection between concrete and abstract concepts
Clairvoy Delicious
http://del.icio.us/clairvoy/math

Math Word Processor
Math Type
• Provides added toolbar in Microsoft Word
• Allows common math symbols to be placed
in a document as picture characters
Price: $49.95
http://www.mathtype.com

High Tech Manipulatives
Intellimathics
• Tool for manipulating onscreen attribute
blocks, tangrams, base ten blocks,
geoboards, or fraction pieces
• Environment for manipulating any type of
graphic, from bugs to balloons
• Add sorting bins, counting boxes, and Venn
Hoops to your activities
• Gives verbal and written feedback to
students as they make their selections

High Tech Manipulatives
Intellimathics
Price: $139.95
http://www.intellitools.com

Low Tech Manipulatives
• Buckets of pattern blocks
• Trays of tiles and cubes
• Collections of geoboards
• Tangrams
• Counters
• Spinners

Other Low Tech for Math
• Graph Paper
• Number Stamps
• Raised Number Rulers
• Math Line
• Color coding for maintaining columns
• Big number buttons and large
keypads

Software on T221 Laptops
• IntelliTools/Math
• Money Skills
• Premier/Talking Calculator
• SMARTBoard
• MathType