Exploring the Potential of Tablets as Early Math Resources for Urban Kindergarteners in Schools and Homes

本项目将考察一项为城市学区的幼儿园儿童提供个人平板电脑设备的倡议对数学学习的影响，这些设备包括免费的、广泛可用的数字数学资源。随着平板设备越来越普及，学校面临的一个重要问题是如何在小学，尤其是幼儿园有效地使用它们。此外，由于设备是便携式的，孩子们如何在家里使用游戏等资源进行数学学习也很重要。这个项目设置在一个高需求的学区，那里有大量低收入家庭的孩子。该项目提供了一个机会，通过分析评估数据、记录资源使用情况的用户分析数据以及来自教师和家庭的调查数据，了解表格和数字资源在早期年级中的潜在作用。探索研究K-12项目（DRK-12）旨在通过研究和开发创新资源、模型和工具（rmt），显著提高pre -12学生和教师对科学、技术、工程和数学（STEM）的学习和教学。DRK-12计划中的项目建立在STEM教育的基础研究和先前的研究和开发工作的基础上，为拟议的项目提供了理论和实证依据。大多数关于数字学习资源的研究都是小规模的，或者专注于参与。本研究通过准实验设计，为研究这些资源的使用与学习成果之间的关系提供了机会。研究问题包括教师如何在教学中使用基于表格的数学资源，照顾者和儿童如何使用基于表格的数学资源，以及这些资源如何与幼儿园数学学习联系起来。对学生学习的评估将侧重于数字、几何和测量概念。学习者分析平板电脑上的数据将记录平板电脑上资源的使用情况。调查和人口统计数据也将被收集，以记录平板电脑的使用情况。研究结果应该为学校使用平板电脑的实施提供信息，并特别注意如何在课堂和家庭环境中使用平板电脑。

This project will examine the impact on mathematics learning of an initiative to provide kindergartners in an urban school district with personal tablet devices that include free, widely available digital mathematics resources. An important question for schools as tablet devices become more accessible is how to effectively use them in primary grades, especially kindergarten. In addition, since the devices are portable, how children use the resources such as games for mathematics learning at home is also important to understand. This project is set in a high-needs school district with a large number of low-income children. The project provides an opportunity to learn about the potential role of tables and digital resources in early grades through the analysis of assessment data, user analytic data documenting how the resources were used, and survey data from teachers and families. The Discovery Research K-12 program (DRK-12) seeks to significantly enhance the learning and teaching of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) by preK-12 students and teachers, through research and development of innovative resources, models and tools (RMTs). Projects in the DRK-12 program build on fundamental research in STEM education and prior research and development efforts that provide theoretical and empirical justification for proposed projects.Most studies of digital learning resources have been small-scale or focused on engagement. This study offers the opportunity to investigate the relationship between the use of these resources and learning outcomes using a quasi-experimental design. The research questions examine how teachers use table-based mathematics resources during instruction, how caregivers and children engage with table-based mathematics resources and how the resources then relate to kindergartners mathematics learning. Assessments of students' learning will focus on number, geometry and measurement concepts. The learner analytic data from the tablets will document the use of the resources on the tablets. Surveys and demographic data will also be collected to document how the tablets were used. Results of the study should inform implementation of tablet use by schools with particular attention to how they are used across in-class and at-home settings.