Effects of a Mathematics App on Urban High School Students’ Algebra Performance

There has been an increase in the need for online instructional tools especially during the current global health crisis (i.e., pandemic) that people across many nations are experiencing. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of an electronic application, Mathspace, on high school students’ performance on solving algebra problems involving exponents. This study took place in a high school located in a large metropolitan city in the Midwest. A multiple-probe design across three adolescents who struggled with solving algebra problems was used to determine if a functional relationship existed between the students’ performance on solving algebra problems involving exponents and the use of the Mathspace electronic application. All students were trained on using Mathspace with instructor guidance. Mathspace sessions were implemented between 5 and 9 sessions, lasting about 20 to 40 min. Findings revealed that the students improved on solving algebra problems involving exponents when they used Mathspace. However, their performance levels decreased during maintenance phases when they no longer used the electronic app. Limitations and directions for future research are discussed. Implications for practice are also provided.