This document summarizes assistive technology options for students with mathematics learning disabilities. It describes characteristics of these disabilities including difficulties with number sense, patterns, spatial reasoning, and math vocabulary. It then outlines several handheld devices, drill and practice software, simulations, word processors, and manipulatives that can help these students learn math skills and concepts in an accessible way. Examples provided include calculators, software like Mighty Math and Wild West Math, and virtual manipulatives like Intellimathics and SMARTBoard simulations.

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

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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

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

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

13. 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

14. 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

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

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

17. 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

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