SMART in M athematics? Exploring the effects of in‐class‐level differentiation using SMART board on math proficiency

Abstract This paper explored the effects of in‐class‐level differentiation by making innovative use of an interactive whiteboard ( SMART board) on math proficiency. Therefore, this paper evaluates the use of SMART board in class, in combination with teacher training, using a randomized field experiment among 199 pre‐vocational students in seventh grade in the N etherlands. During 6 weeks, students in the intervention group participated in math classes in which the SMART board was used to apply level differentiation. The teachers of these classes received a specific training ( T echnological P edagogical and C ontent K nowledge [ TPACK ]) in using the SMART board in class. Control classes were taught by teachers without the training, who did not use the SMART board in class. The results showed that level differentiation in class, which was possible because of the efficient use of the SMART board, significantly increased math proficiency with 0.25 points.