Discussant

ADA MAE I. ROBLES

What is the difference
between a simple
manipulative from a
digital manipulative?

In mathematics, a manipulative is
an object which is designed so that a
learner can perceive some
mathematical
concepts by
manipulating it. It
is also called
concrete
manipulative.


Interlocking cubes Pattern blocks
Polydron Clock
Blocks
Coins
Tangrams Algebra tiles
Solid Figures Tower of Hanoi
Abacus &
Calculator
Algebra tiles
Digital manipulative is also known
as virtual manipulative. It is a
relatively new technology and are
modeled after existing simple
manipulatives such as base ten
blocks, coins, blocks, tangrams,
spinners, rulers, fraction bars,
algebra tiles, geoboards, geometric
plane, and solids figures.

Two studies have compared the
use of virtual manipulatives to more
traditional materials. Suh and
Moyer (2007) compared the use of
concrete and virtual manipulatives
in third grade students studying
algebraic thinking. Both types of
manipulatives were associated with
higher achievement and increased
flexibility in representing algebraic
concepts.


How manipulatives
can support
mathematics
learning?

1.) Manipulatives can
help students
understand abstract
concepts in mathematics.
Concrete manipulatives help
students with disabilities improve
their understanding of the abstract
symbolic language of mathematics.
Concrete manipulatives can also be
used to clarify misconceptions and
build connections between
mathematical concepts and
representations, fostering more
precise and richer understandings.
Students who struggle in mathematics
often have trouble connecting visual
and symbolic representations; virtual
manipulatives can make such
connections explicit to students.
Students who struggle in
mathematics often have trouble
connecting visual and symbolic
representations; virtual
manipulatives can make such
connections explicit to students.

2.) Virtual manipulatives
may lead to more
complex,
richer understandings
of concepts.
Although findings on this point
are limited, classroom-based action
research shows that student use of
virtual manipulatives is sometimes
more complex than their use of
concrete manipulatives. This is due
in part to the availability of
unlimited objectsversus a finite
set.

Also, virtual objects can be
altered in ways that concrete ones
cannot, for example, the size, shape,
and color of a block can be changed.
Thus, in many instances, students
can create more examples using
virtual versus physical objects.


3.) Students need guidance
in understanding
the concepts that
manipulatives represent
Manipulatives by themselves
have no inherent meaning. It is
important for teachers to make this
meaning explicit and help students
build connections between the
concrete materials and the abstract
symbols that they represent. This
holds true for both concrete and
virtual manipulatives, but virtual
manipulatives often have this type of
structure built in.
Many virtual manipulative
activities give students hints and
feedback, something that the more
traditional concrete manipulatives
cannot do without teacher
assistance.


Examples of
Digital Manipulatives
I n Mathematics

Pan Balance Numbers
is a manipulative that
is based on the balance
pans that are used with
younger children to demonstrate the
concept of equality.

Tangrams
It is based on the
ancient Chinese tangram
blocks. The blocks can
be dragged, rotated, and
flipped in order to copy designs.

Number & Operations (Grades 6 - 8)

Abacus an electronic abacus that
can be used to do arithmetic.

Base Blocks illustrate addition
and subtraction in a variety of bases.

Base Blocks Addition Use base
ten blocks to model grouping in addition.






Base Blocks Decimals add and
subtract decimal values using base
blocks.

Base Blocks Subtraction use
base ten blocks to model separation of
groups in subtraction.

Factor Tree factor numbers
using a tree diagram.





References:
http://www.cited.org/index.aspx?page
_id=151
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manipula
tive_(mathematics)
http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/category_
g_3_t_1.html
http://www.mathplayground.com/mat
h_manipulatives.html









Thank You!!!