Using the iPad to Develop Preservice Teachers’ Understanding of the Common Core State Standards for Mathematical Practice

The Standards for Mathematical Practice as delineated in the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics describe the processes, proficiencies, and habits of mind that students are expected to develop through their engagement with mathematics (Dacey & Polly, 2012). The purpose of this chapter is to discuss, anecdotally, how the iPad, a tablet computer designed by Apple ™, can be used to develop preservice teachers’ understanding and implementation of the Standards for Mathematical Practice, most specifically Mathematical Practice Standard 3: Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others. Under examination are the authors’ experiences using the iPad as an observational tool during student teaching and as a teaching tool in their mathematics methods courses. The chapter concludes with suggestions for additional uses of the iPad to support preservice teachers as they work to develop their understanding of the Standards for Mathematical Practice.