Mathematics Manipulatives: A Panacea or Pandora's Box?

Authors

Paul Swan, Edith Cowan University
Linda Marshall, Edith Cowan University
Roy White, Edith Cowan University

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Faculty

Faculty of Education and Arts

School

School of Education / Fogarty Learning Centre

RAS ID

5008

Comments

Swan, P., Marshall, L., & White, G. (2007). Mathematics manipulatives: A panacea or a Pandora’s box. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Science and Mathematics Education.

Abstract

As part of a larger research project the researchers reviewed the literature on the use of mathematics manipulatives, surveyed teachers, interviewed teachers, visited classrooms, inspected storerooms and ran professional development sessions for teachers. As a result of these measures, rich data was collected providing a better understanding of how mathematics manipulatives are being used and why teachers decide to use them. While answering many questions the research opened a metaphorical Pandora‟s box of question still to be answered.