Educating Pre-Service Teachers on Effective Diagnosis and Correction of Math Errors Using Technology

A design and development project was funded to create technology-based supplemental tools in supporting pre-service teachers’ knowledge and skills pertaining to diagnosing and correcting mathematical errors of children in PK-5 classes. The study focused on answering the question, “How helpful are these technology-based tools in supporting the pre-service teachers’ ability to diagnose and correct mathematical errors?” Data was collected from online surveys completed by twenty-four pre-service teachers who reviewed nine video clips of a teacher working with a young learner in completing simple math problems. Findings of the study reported that the video clips helped the professional development of pre-service teachers. The digital materials provided also served as a reference point for reflective practice. Participants stated that the online availability of videos allowed ease of access, and created opportunities for reflection. The study showed that the integration of technology-based supplementary tools eased the learning experience of pre-service teachers due to visual and auditory features. However, this research should be extended, detailing situations of teachers working with children with special needs, as requested by the participants, for a more comprehensive study.