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Exploring The Use Of Mathematics Manipulative Materials: Is It What We Think It Is?, Linda Marshall, Paul Swan
Exploring The Use Of Mathematics Manipulative Materials: Is It What We Think It Is?, Linda Marshall, Paul Swan
EDU-COM International Conference
The use of mathematics manipulative materials such as counters and Base Ten Blocks is common in many Australian classrooms. Seemingly there is an unchallenged assumption that the use of manipulative materials in the teaching of mathematics is a key to learning about mathematics concepts, and this is supported by the mathematics manipulatives industry. Teachers who are time poor and under pressure are either looking for a miracle manipulative to solve all their problems with teaching a particular topic such as fractions, or have abandoned the use of manipulatives in favour of textbooks. This paper reports on a survey and follow-up …