The College Algebra iPad Project Northeastern State University Luke Foster

An iPad? Are you kidding me?

Reality #1: Education Lags

Reality #2: Educator Resistance

iPad Project In the spring semester of 2011 at NSU, multiple research projects were undertaken involving iPads in the classroom. The purpose of one project was to determine whether the use of an iPad in a College Algebra classroom significantly improves students' level of understanding of algebra concepts.

Students of Today

What was measured? The study investigated the effect, if any, that the iPad has on students’ understanding of factoring, solving equations, zeroes, graphing, systems of equations and transformations.

Why these topics? Algebra topics were chosen by the investigator based on the availability of mathematical apps determined to be of some help to students.

Instruments Quantitative data was collected using the Algebra Assessment. Qualitative data from interviews were used to elaborate on the findings of the Assessments. Participants in both the control group and the experimental group completed pre- and post-assessments. Participants in the experimental group completed interviews and exit surveys.

Algebra Assessment The analysis of the data yielded some surprising results. It was determined that there was a significant difference between the scores of the experimental group and control group--but in the wrong direction. The control group scored significantly better than the experimental group on the post- Assessments.

Interviews: Perception vs. Reality Every interview participant rated her/his experience with the course and iPad in the course as positive and helpful. Each interviewee felt that the inclusion of the iPad into the college algebra course was effectual.

Interviews: Perception vs. Reality

Exit Surveys N Minimum Maximum Mean Std. Deviation SolvEqn 19 1.00 5.00 3.8947 1.14962 Graphing 3.00 4.4211 .76853 SystEqn 4.0526 1.22355 Transforms 4.2105 1.18223 ExpLog 3.1579 1.30227 QuadForm 1.37011 GenAlg 3.8421 1.34425 Recommend 4.2632 .99119 EasyToUse 4.6316 .68399 Interesting 4.5789 .69248 Students rated each item on scale of 1 to 5

Why further study is encouraged Upgrades

Why further study is encouraged Experimental Setting

Why further study is encouraged Mobile Tech isn’t going anywhere