iPads In Learning: learning about a student's mathematical thinking- with Educreations

The First Grade Butterflies learned how to use the Educreations app to record their thinking and problem solving, as mathematicians!

Previously, the Butterflies had been importing a CGI math problem, from a class shared DropBox account, into the Notability app and "showing" (visually) they solved the problem. After completing, each Butterfly would then export their work into an individual DropBox folder (titled with the student's name and "math journal")... creating a digital math journal. This allowed me to "see" how their process for solving the problem.
Parents were invited to their child's individual DropBox folder with access to view the contents.

"Seeing" (visually) how each student approaches a (the) CGI problem (or any math problem) of focus is beneficial in learning about a student's mathematical understanding, thinking, and development.

However, even after attempting to have students record their thinking process in writing, accurately identifying and understanding the student's thinking was subjective and limited (due to stages of writing development).

Observing (visually) and listening (auditorily) to a student as she/he solves a problem is ideal in more accurately understanding their mathematical thinking and problem solving.

However...in a classroom of 26 students and 1 teacher, the ability to observe and listen to each student's individual process for solving a problem is not possible.

But, with the Educreations iPad app... it is possible!

Saving a CGI problem (or any mathematical problem) as a "photo" in the class shared DropBox account, students can import the "problem" into the Educreations app.

After importing the problem, students push "record" and verbally explain their thinking process as they visually "show" their thinking.

The app records the process and can then be viewed similar to a "movie"... allowing the teacher to "see" and "hear" the student's mathematical thinking in it's sequential entirety.

The "lesson" is saved and can be "shared" in multiple ways (including e-mail). Unfortunately, it does not currently have the capability to export the "lesson" into DropBox.

The use of Educreations provides me with the opportunity to "see" and "hear" individual student's mathematical thinking and problem solving when I am unable to individually observe and listen to the student on a day. YEAH!