Date of Conferral

2017

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Education

Advisor

Heng-Yu Ku

Abstract

Many educators struggle to meet the academic needs of students, especially in the subject area of mathematics. Computer-assisted instruction is an instructional strategy used to enhance instruction. However, there is limited research on the effectiveness of these software programs for all students. The purpose of this qualitative, embedded, multiple case study was to explore the perceptions of teachers and students using computer-assisted instructional software to differentiate instruction within a general education and special education 4th-grade mathematics classroom. The constructivism theory provided a framework for the topic of differentiated instruction. This study included a single elementary school within a district in the Southeastern United States. The participants of this study included 1 general education and 1 special education 4th-grade mathematics teacher. In addition, participants included 6 general education and 4 special education 4th-grade mathematics students. Introductory and follow-up teacher interviews, introductory and follow-up student focus group interviews, 6 classroom observations, and teacher lesson plans were used as data collection methods. Gerund coding, categorizing, and content analysis was employed to interrogate the data. The constant comparative method was used to determine within-case and across-case themes and discrepancies. The findings revealed that teachers used computer-assisted instructional software, MobyMax, to meet individual student needs, monitor student progress, implement small group instruction, increase student engagement, and supplement primary teacher-led instruction. Educators can use the findings of this study to understand how teachers can use computer-assisted instruction to meet the needs of students.

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