Questions to Consider When selecting Educational Applications to meets student's goals for Math

I am continuing my exploration of how best to determine and implement AT for students in my classroom.  Though I do not teach math, this post helps establish general guidelines for determining how to select applications to helps meet a student's IEP goals.

One question to consider is what should the application achieve?  Is it meant to strengthen math skills with respect to problem solving or is it more to develop speed and accuracy?  So for example, if it's meant to build problem solving skills, does the app give actual feedback that explains a problem or does it merely state if the problem is correct or incorrect?  Finally, the IEP team should consider whether traditional tools like manipulatives would meet the goal instead, if so then an app should be disregarded.  On the other hand, if the student using the app increases his/her participation in class; then it could be a useful tool.

Below is a list of detailed questions that the team could use to determine if an app is appropriate for meeting a student's goals.

Source: Dell, A; Newton, G and Petroff, J.  (2012).  Assistive Technology in the Classroom: Enhancing the School Experience of Students with Disabilities. Pearson Education.