virtual manipulatives
TRANSCRIPT
Virtual Manipulatives In the Elementary Math Classroom
Cindy WrightInstructional Technology Specialist
Columbus Public SchoolsOhio SchoolNet Presentation 2005
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
The Technology Principle• Technology is essential in teaching and learning
mathematics; it influences the mathematics that is taught and enhances students' learning.
• The teacher must make prudent decisions about when and how to use technology and should ensure that the technology is enhancing students' mathematical thinking.
Overview: Principles for School Mathematics The six principles for school mathematics address overarching themes:• Equity. Excellence in mathematics education requires equity—high
expectations and strong support for all students.• Curriculum. A curriculum is more than a collection of activities: it must be
coherent, focused on important mathematics, and well articulated across the grades.
• Teaching. Effective mathematics teaching requires understanding what students know and need to learn and then challenging and supporting them to learn it well.
• Learning. Students must learn mathematics with understanding, actively building new knowledge from experience and prior knowledge.
• Assessment. Assessment should support the learning of important mathematics and furnish useful information to both teachers and students.
• Technology. Technology is essential in teaching and learning mathematics; it influences the mathematics that is taught and enhances students' learning.
Concrete Manipulatives
Virtual Manipulatives
• Interactive• Web-based visual representation of a dynamic
object that presents opportunities for constructing mathematical knowledge.
Two Types of Virtual Manipulatives
Static
• Essentially pictures• Resemble concrete
manipulatives but cannot be manipulated
• http://www.visualfractions.com/Images change on the screen, but the user cannot move or manipulate the image.
Dynamic
• Essentially objects• Can be manipulated just like
concrete manipulatives• Student can slide, flip, rotate,
etc.• Provides opportunity make
meaning and see relationships as a result of one’s own actions
• http://www.frontiernet.net/~imaging/java-3d-engine.html
Benefits of using Virtual Manipulatives
• Math and technology integration are powerful partners in meeting standards
• Free access for schools that are online• Available anywhere, anytime, to anyone• Easier to store, and clean up• Older children may view using virtual
manipulatives as more sophisticated• Unlimited numbers available, can print out work• Offers options for students with special needs
Challenges of using Virtual Manipulatives
• Teachers need ongoing professional development
• Teachers need up to date tools and time to understand how they fit into the curriculum
• Locating Resources that meet curriculum standards
Using Virtual Manipulatives in the Classroom
In this video, a third grade class studies probability. To help enhance students' understanding of probability, the teacher introduces a software program designed to simulate the rolling of dice on a large scale. Students predict the outcome and then examine the results to see how accurate their predictions were. This lesson uses the Silver Burdette Interactive Mathematics software, but many similar programs are available online or with other mathemetics curricula. To play the video, click "Watch this clip" under the photograph.
http://nces.ed.gov/nceskids/probability/
How to Find Virtual Manipulatives
National Library of Virtual Manipulatives
http://matti.usu.edu/nlvm/nav/
Utah State University
Bar Graphs
Base Ten Blocks
Subtraction
HarcourtSchool.com
http://www.harcourtschool.com/elab/index.html• Extensive collection of interactive applets for
grades 3-8. Activities to accompany each are provided. You can download an E-Lab activity and use it without being connected to the internet. While working on internet, Microsoft Java VM is recommended. Later versions of Java will be supported soon for online activity.
Arcytech
• Arcytech's Educational Java Programs are primarily for elementary and middle school students.
http://www.arcytech.org
NCTM Illuminations
Electronic Examples• http://standards.nctm.org/document/eexa
mples/index.htm
Web Resources• http://illuminations.nctm.org/swr/list.asp?
Ref=2&Std=9
Shodor• http://www.shodor.org/interactivate/index.html
Mathcats• http://www.mathcats.com/contents.html
Closing
As virtual manipulatives are enhanced and become more available, the possibilities for use are limited only by the creativity of the
teachers and students who work with them.
~ Patricia S. Moyer
Contact Information
Cindy Wright
Instructional Technology Specialist
Columbus Public Schools
737 E. Hudson St.
Columbus, OH 43211
(614) 365-5102