In the method course that I took last semester, I came across virtual manipulative such as the Algebra Tiles, fraction bars, and base ten blocks that teachers may use to teach Math more effectively. We always claim that we want to incorporate more hands on activities in our lessons, but how do we do that? I believe that we should use manipulative effectively to support students' learning. Manipulative provides a concrete representation of the abstract concept to assist students' understanding of the concept. For example, seeing 1/2 is equivalent to 2/4 may be difficult for many middle school students, and the fraction bars maybe a useful tool to teach equivalent fractions. The fraction bars allow students to see how 1/2 and 2/4 is visually represented by bars of the same length (1), but divided into different number of pieces. It helps students to understand that cutting the bar into 4 pieces and take 2 pieces is the same as cutting the bar into 2 pieces and take 1 piece. Manipulative is especially effective in helping students to understand abstract concepts and stimulate students' interest in the subject. Most students like to learn with something in their hands that they can play with. Therefore, it is absolutely important to use virtual manipulative in a Math classroom to supports hands-on activities.
Sharon, I remember this lesson and completely agree with you! Virtual manipulatives are so great to use in order to teach a new topic or show a different way of solving the same material. Manipulatives are great for students to actually see and understand what they are learning. Before that lesson, I had no idea that there are so many manipulatives and visual representations that could be used in classes. I also agree that it is important to use virtual manipulatives in a math classroom as well as hands on activities to support each other. Also both would be very interesting and engaging in a classroom.
ReplyDeleteU agree. Using visualization in math can be very much likely to be helpful, because then the students can see that they understand how they can get the solution to the problem. Sometime in a game, it can be hard to determine whether the students understand the problem and how they can get the answers when they watch other students solving the problem. This is not about imitating itself, because then your not learning in the class, you are copying. But its hard to put into activities when its by group game then it wouldn't work. But what you said, I agree using vitural manipulative can be helpful by using many examples to allow them to fully understand the concept of the lesson and also for their benefit of their critical knowledges.
ReplyDeleteManipulative's are a great thing to use in mathematics classrooms for any grade level students. They allow students to visually see what they are doing and it can better help students understand why certain facts are true. Students who use Manipulative's in class are more likely to remember and actually learn what they are being taught. When students can see why something works it sticks with them more than just being told why something works.
ReplyDeleteAs a math ed major I completely agree. This is a technology that has revolutionized the way way we teach mathematics. Prior to having these tools math was all about formulas and calculations. Now we are actually exploring the "why?" aspect of these problems. These technologies have turned math into more of a visual subject. This is important because seeing is believing. Nice post.
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