Virtual Manipulatives

Technology is everywhere, in every corner of the world; moreover, everyone with access to technology will agree that it facilitates nearly every task while also performing said task at a fraction of the time it takes to perform it without the aid of technology.. The twenty-first century is a time period in which technology experienced, perhaps, its biggest boom resulting in it being used in the educational world, too. The use of technology in schools is an immensely beneficial concept both for the students and the teachers. Technology in the classroom is beneficial because it increases productivity, it makes performing tasks easier, and it increments student engagement.

One of the major commodities that we have the use of today in education that we didn’t have back in the 1900’s is the use of technology. In today’s educational systems we have the access to multiple technological devices such as: computers, calculators, phones, and

The teacher had the students all come up to the front of the room then one by one had them take turns going up to the smartboard to create a two-digit number using their fingers to move and create ones, tens and hundreds with the blocks. Once they got the answer right the children would pick another person to go until every student participated and answered a question on the smartboard. The teacher also showed examples up on the smartboard for the students to all see. If the students made a mistake the teacher was able to fix the problem on the smart board by using her laptop at her desk. Ways that technology added to the lesson: It got students more involved and engaged with the lesson. It also broke down the hard lesson for the students to understand. It also made the lesson fun and appealed to the students visually and got the students hands-on learning. The students also have their own individual assigned iPads. Every day they have “PI time” in which they all log on to the iPads and grab headphones, and go on to the educational app called imagine learning to work on their language arts

“By 2009, 97% of classrooms had one or more computers, and 93% of classroom computers had Internet access. For every 5 students, there was one computer. Instructors stated that 40% of students used computers, often in their educational methods, in addition to interactive whiteboards and digital cameras”(Educational technology). The country is on the threshold of the most radical change in American education in over a century. It is clear that technology is increasing and is now woven through education as well.

Eyyan, R. (2014). Impact of use of Technology in Mathematics Lessons on Student Achievement and

Technology is often used for the wrong reasons in the classroom. Teachers find a new idea and jump on the “technology band wagon” without considering if this is the best use for the digital tool. When planning lessons using technology, consideration needs to made as to how the tool will enhance the lesson or will it just be an added feature.

Technology is also very important with a student’ education. There are so many uses for technology that can show beneficial for both Asian students and United States students. Throughout the United States there is a wide variety of technology available for teachers. Mathematics Analysis Software, like scientific calculators, function graphers, and geometry packages are made available for students. Since the 1990’s a change in mathematics education has taken place because of the implementation of new ways to help students understand math a little better. This new way helps to implement information technology advancements (Tcheang, 2014).

An interesting study that was done to compare concrete manipulatives to virtual ones showed that despite having the technological conveniences of today’s world, student teachers of this study preferred the ease and tangible effects of using concrete manipulatives. The 2011 study was conducted on 78 aspiring middle school math teachers. The student teachers met twice a week to work in groups while using concrete manipulatives including pattern blocks, fraction circles, Cuisenaire rods, two-color counters, and color tiles with a chip abacus. They followed this instruction with corresponding assignments while using virtual manipulatives. The student teachers were then directed to complete survey of questions that would compare both methods of

A manipulative is often used in many ways to teach mathematics such as basic addition, fractions, decimals, order of operations. To name a few manipulatives; blocks, cards, number tiles, counting tubes, etc…A manipulative can be taught either concrete (hands-on) or virtual. Hands-on manipulative models are physical objects such as base-ten blocks, deck of cards, Dice games, and Algebra tiles. A virtual manipulative is a technology that models the existing manipulatives such as base ten blocks, rulers, fractions bars and algebra tiles to name a few. These manipulatives are in the form of Java or Flash applets, a web base technology.

School is about learning and engaging, and you need to be able to engage while learning in order to learn. But what happens when we start to lose that. When you engage with your teacher it’s face to face, not face to computer screen. You need to have real engagement, “Engagement is about human contact, the contact with the teacher, the contact with their peers”. This is how school is now, itś now always about the modern way of life and all technology, but i think that the original way is always the best. And there are also other ways to learn. At a school in SIlicon Valley that “does not compute” they don’t use technology at all. With that being said looking into it I also saw that they don’t need technology to succeed, they have found new ways. One of their ways to teach their students about math is by cutting

And it brings many advantages to the education system. The first benefit are the online classes; these classes give the opportunity for adults, who work full time job, to take online courses whenever they find the time. In daycares the computers play an important role, online educational games and software help children create the bases that they will need for future education. A considerable number of teachers use technology in their classrooms. The instructors use programs like power point to animate their classes and caught the students’ attention. Educators also save time and paper. Because of technology facilities teamwork, it provides the exchange of ideas and approach the students. Unlike books, whose information remains static at the moment they were printed, the content of the websites is update continuously; this makes the information presented relevant an up to date. Now students can have access to information quickly. Once a source has been found students can quickly search the entire document by typing a keyword, rather than having to search in the index of a book. Mathematical calculations can also be done in special programs, while the graphics can be represented instantly. Despite all the good things that technology brings to education, students can become dependent on it. While it is easier to access more information, it is also easier to

Students throughout the 21st century can, without doubt, say that technology has been a part of their learning environment for a very long time. Which of course is true being that technology started to be placed throughout schools across the nation for the past 20-30 years. As students in the modern era, we have been taught through the use of technology, making educational goals attainable through various technology models. This includes computers, iPads, smart boards, projectors and even simple paper and pencils.

what I liked most about the use of manipulatives was the ease with which complex mathematical problems would be solved by children. The interaction between concrete tools and children to sink abstract ideas results in a deeper understanding of the mathematical concepts being taught.the classes are more engaging with the use of manipulatives children enjoy the lessons more.the importance of authentic learning is emphasized as children easily grasp concepts after experiencing the idea.what I liked least was that it takes more time and money to employ the use of manipulatives.children take more time to solve problems.more money is also used to purchase the manipulatives.

A manipulative is often used in many ways to teach mathematics such as basic addition, fractions, decimals, order of operations. To name a few manipulatives; blocks, cards, number tiles, counting tubes, etc…A manipulative can be taught either concrete (hands-on) or virtual. Hands-on manipulative models are physical objects such as base-ten blocks, deck of cards, Dice games, and Algebra tiles. A virtual manipulative is a technology that models the existing manipulatives such as base ten blocks, rulers, fractions bars and algebra tiles to name a few. These manipulatives are in the form of Java or Flash applets, a web base technology.

There is a widespread belief among teachers that students’ constant use of digital technology is hampering their attention spans and ability to persevere in the face of challenging tasks, according to two surveys of teachers being released on Thursday.