Research Paper Topic: Virtual Math Manipulatives

Chad West's picture

Topic: Can virtual math manipulatives improve student achievement?

A math manipulative is an object that is designed so that a student can learn some mathematical concept by manipulating it. Math manipulatives have been around for centuries. Countless studies show that they help students can connect the concrete and abstract by the use of manipulatives. There is a new type of manipulative. The names include: virtual math manipulatives, virtual manipulatives, or interactive math tools. This new type of manipulative is generated on the computer and manipulated by way of the mouse. Students can now manipulate the concrete expressions of even more abstract math concepts.

 

Some questions to consider concerning these new tools are:

What are virtual manipulatives?

How did they come about?

What are the different types of virtual manipulatives?

How should they be used by the student and teacher?

What are the most effective ways for a teacher to use these tools?

Do they have the potential to improve student learning/achievement?

 

References:

Moyer, P. S., Bolyard, J. J., & Spikell, M. A. (2002).  What are virtual manipulatives?. Teaching children mathematics, February, 372-377.

Steen, K., Brooks, D., & Lyon, T. (2006).  The impact of virtual manipulatives on first grade geometry instruction and learning.  Journal of Computers in Mathematics and Science Teaching, 25(4), 373-391.

Crawford, C., & Brown, E. (2003).  Integrating internet-based mathematical manipulatives within a learning environment.  Journal of Computers in Mathematics and Science Teaching, 22(2), 169-180.

Bitter, G. G., & Hatfield, M. M., (1994).  Training elementary mathematics teachers using interactive multimedia.  Educational Studies in Mathematics, 26(4), 405-409.

Bos, B., (2009).  Virtual math objects with pedagogical, mathematical, and cognitive fidelity.  Computers in Human Behavior, 25, 521-528.

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Submitted by Chad West on Sat, 11/07/2009 - 10:40am
Doug Holton's picture

Patricia Moyer-Packenham

Submitted by Doug Holton on Sat, 11/07/2009 - 11:45am.

Yeah Patricia Moyer-Packenham is now a faculty member here at USU and has does more recent research on this topic.  I'd recommend checking her stuff out, if not also contacting her:

http://www.teal.usu.edu/htm/faculty-and-staff/memberID=2295

Chad West's picture

That's a great idea.  Thanks

Submitted by Chad West on Wed, 11/11/2009 - 4:40pm.

That's a great idea.  Thanks for the references.

Disclaimer

Any opinions expressed here, except as specifically noted, are those of the individual authors or commenters and do not necessarily represent the views or policies of the Department of Instructional Technology and Learning Sciences, the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services, or Utah State University.