Comparing the Effectiveness of Virtual and Concrete Manipulatives to Teach Algebra to Secondary Students With Learning Disabilities.

A sizable body of literature exists studying various technologies and pedagogical practices for teaching secondary mathematics curriculum to students with a learning disability in mathematics. However, with the growing footprint of computer-based technologies in today’s classrooms, some areas of stu...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Publicado en:Learning Disability Quarterly Vol. 39; no. 4; pp. 240 - 254
Autores principales: Satsangi, Rajiv, Bouck, Emily C., Taber-Doughty, Teresa, Bofferding, Laura, Roberts, Carly A.
Formato: pictorial research tables/charts Journal Article
Publicado: Sage Publications Inc. Nov2016
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
Descripción
Sumario:A sizable body of literature exists studying various technologies and pedagogical practices for teaching secondary mathematics curriculum to students with a learning disability in mathematics. However, with the growing footprint of computer-based technologies in today’s classrooms, some areas of study, such as the use of virtual manipulatives, lack sufficient exploration. Although concrete manipulatives were studied for many decades for students with a learning disability and are considered a best practice, the research base for virtual manipulatives is notably less. With a specific focus on algebraic instruction, this study sought to compare the benefits of both forms of manipulatives to assist secondary students with a learning disability in mathematics to solve single-variable linear equations using a single-subject alternating treatment design. Over the course of 30 sessions of intervention, three students exhibited over 90% average accuracy solving problems using both virtual and concrete manipulatives, while the concrete manipulative earned higher scores for two of the three students.