Teacher Use of an Online Platform to Support Independent Practice in Middle School Mathematics During COVID-19 Disruptions

Abstract

Schools experienced unprecedented disruptions to instruction during the COVID-19 pandemic, largely driven by the abrupt transition to online learning in the spring of 2020. Often, this shift created a “black box” around remote learning and instruction. However, data generated by educational technology platforms can provide a window into instruction during this time. Here, we report on the amount and frequency of usage of an online platform for independent practice used by 58 grade 7 math teachers from seven school districts across multiple U.S. states between August 2019 and July 2021, providing insight into instruction just prior to and during COVID-19 disruptions. Results showed an increased proportion of teachers using the platform at least twice a week over the study period, from 22.2% to 44.1%. Further, platform usage was related to teachers’ level of experience and the amount of coach support received, suggesting areas for teacher support during remote instruction.