The Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Education has developed a set of mathematical processes for the students and teachers of our province.
The Mathematical Processes are:
- Communication [C]
- Connections [CN]
- Mental Mathematics and Estimation [ME]
- Problem Solving [PS]
- Reasoning [R]
- Technology [T]
- Visualization [V]
- these critical components that students must encounter in a mathematics program in order to achieve the goals of mathematics education and embrace lifelong learning in mathematics. (NL Dept of ED, Grade 5 Curriculum Guide, pg 5; retrieved Nov 2011)
When using virtual manipulatives teachers are helping students experience many of the mathematical processes listed above. Students are able to visualise and manipulate various tools through technology to help them in connections, problem solving, reasoning, estimation and then help to improve their communication. When students are exposed to a variety of manipulatives and ways to represent a concept they have a larger knowledge bast to help them communicate and reason their understandings.
The Curriculum Guides makes a note to teachers to consider the following when planning for instruction:
- There is to be a balance among mental mathematics and estimation, paper and pencil exercises, and the use of technology, including calculators and computers. Concepts should be introduced using manipulatives and be developed concretely, pictorially and symbolically.(NL Dept of ED, Grade 5 Math Curriculum guide, pg. 14; retrieved Nov 2011)
When the Curriculum guides are sent to the provinces schools they are also supplied with a sample of concrete manipulatives for the grade level. However, the amount of supplies is just a sample. Often classes of 20+ are left to borrow manipulatives, from other classes or grade, when they are working with a particular unit. Of course if you have a large storage area in your classroom this is great! Also, trouble arises when grade levels are working on similar topic units at the same time!
The use of Virtual Manipulatives is a way for teachers to have access to manipulatives for all! It allows all students to be involved and make connections.
Angela
Department of Education (2009). Grade 5 Mathematics Curriculum Guide-Interm Edition. Retrieved from http://www.ed.gov.nl.ca/edu/k12/curriculum/guides/mathematics/gr5_math_guide.pdf
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