I came upon a study involving the use of manipulatives, especially geometry. After using manipulatives in recent course work, I believed in the learning benefits so I was intrigued by this study.
Studies have varied on the value of using manipulatives but general theories about state that using manipulatives promotes learning as it allows students to physically adapt and interpret their environments. This is called "physically distributed learning". Many believe manipulatives can be even more beneficial in geometry because the manipulatives resemble the geometric shapes that are being studied. Children don't need to translate "the spatial representation to the numeric representation to solve the task".
The study included to experiments; one arithmetic and another geometry. The arithmetic problem involved solving addition problem using a picture of objects and then physical objects. The geometry problem involved making matching triangles using lines on a paper or pieces of pipe cleaner.
The results of the study showed that in both experiments, students benefited from using manipulatives. Of course, the study went in a lot more detail. If you wish to check it out yourselves, go to http://www.scientificjournals.org/journals2007/articles/1073.htm.
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3 comments:
I am certainly a believer in the use of manipulatives, especially when it pertains to a subject like Geometry. When the student is able to have a hands on experience to connect a concept to real life, how can you go wrong?
That said, I did check out the study you mentioned and the article did state that there could be some drawbacks to using manipulatives. I guess I never did give it much thought that manipulatives could have any negative aspects. After reading that article I would definitely want to see teachers combining the use of manipulatives with the traditional pencil and paper method. I believe if the teacher could even present the manipulative and the pencil/paper method at the same time that would be most beneficial.
I guess I've never thought about the possible consequences to using manipulatives either. But, it makes sense for teachers to give their students some variety when introducing new concepts. Paper and pencil methods are useful, but they can be even more effective when paired along with physical manipulatives, computer-generated manipulatives, and even alternative methods, such as music, art, or physical movement. Using all of these methods or even just a combination of a few of them could greatly benefit children who are learning geometry. The more ways we can work a concept into a child's life, the greater the possibility that he or she will understand and use it in the future...
I think a lot of students are hands on type of learners. When a student grasps an object he/she will learn well with it. The pipe cleaner and the making of triangles is a prime example. The student can use this to show congruent triangles. Maybe the teacher wants the students to show congruent segments. The student has the material at their fingertips. Manipulatives are such a great tool especially for showing something new to the students.
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