Exploring the Use of iPads to Engage Young Students with Mathematics

One of the most significant influences on student engagement is the teacher’s pedagogical practices, including the incorporation of technology into the teaching and learning of mathematics. This paper reports on a qualitative study investigating how the incorporation of iPads into a Year 3 primary classroom during a six month trial influenced teaching and learning practices and student engagement with mathematics. All of the students appear to have had a positive experience during the trial and the classroom teacher believed their engagement with mathematics had improved as a result. Although there were challenges involved in integrating the iPads into mathematics lessons, some teaching practices were adapted to accommodate the technology. The integration of the iPads highlighted the need for teacher professional development and the importance of developing strong Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge.