Study: Algebra iPad app garners higher math scores over traditional textbooks (Digital Trends)

Technology and mobile computing, while not necessarily a panacea, may be a valuable asset to the future of education. At least, that seems to be the conclusion of a yearlong Algebra pilot program conducted by educational publisher Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, in partnership with California?s Riverside, San Francisco, Long Beach, and Fresno Unified School Districts

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt?s new app, Holt McDougal Algebra 1, is the focus of the study which is designed to track how well the app users do when compared to students using the traditional Holt McDougal Algebra 1 textbook. The study involves 1,000 students: 400 receiving instruction using iPads, and 600 sticking with traditional textbooks. Third-party research firm Empirical Education was put in charge of evaluating the results of the pilot program, and will be delivering the complete data by the summer.

The data so far seems promising for the Algebra 1 iPad app, when looking at the students at the Amelia Earhart Middle School in Riverside, California. Two teachers from the school, Jackie Davis and Dan Sbur, randomly had one of their Algebra sections selected to study with the app, while the other classes used the textbook. During the second trimester of the 2010-2011 school year, the app-wielding students typically scored 10 points higher than their peers. Results then jumped once the California Standards Test came around in spring 2011. More than 78 percent of those using the Algebra 1 app scored Proficient or Advanced on the test, while the traditional textbook users at the school scored 59 percent.

Those chosen for the program were allowed to take the tablets home with them, and personalize the apps with their own music and apps; they were even allowed to use the WiFi during and after school for personal as well as educational use. Dan Sbur, one of the two math teachers chosen, said, ???The app was great! Students were motived and more in charge of their own learning.??

The study?s announcement comes at the heels of Apple?s iBooks 2 announcement this week in New York, with most books priced at $15 or less. HMH says they currently make apps exclusively for the iPad, but would of course need to rethink that plan if school districts decided to adopt Android-powered tablets.

Via KQED

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This article was originally posted on Digital Trends

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Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/applecomputer/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/digitaltrends/20120120/tc_digitaltrends/studyalgebraipadappgarnershighermathscoresovertraditionaltextbooks

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