Examining the Influence of a Mobile Learning Intervention on Third Grade Math Achievement

Third grade students at a Midwestern elementary school participated in a 9-week mobile learning intervention (MLI). Two classrooms used Everyday Math and daily practice using flashcards, etc., to learn multiplication. Two other classrooms used Everyday Math and web applications for the iPod touch for daily practice. MLI students outperformed comparison students on a postintervention multiplication test controlling for several covariates, including prior achievement, home iPod touch use, and previous teacher, among others. The medium-sized performance advantage (b = .217) was statistically significant at the .01 alpha level. The MLI influence on the most difficult multiplication items was also statistically significant but less important than the student’s demographic profile and the teacher’s advanced educational technology degree. Experimental research is needed to assess longerterm achievement effects for diverse student groups and school settings and to explore how teaching and learning occurs in mobile environments above and beyond a particular device.