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Revisiting the Definition of a Virtual Manipulative

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International Perspectives on Teaching and Learning Mathematics with Virtual Manipulatives

Part of the book series: Mathematics Education in the Digital Era ((MEDE,volume 7))

Abstract

In 2002, Moyer, Bolyard and Spikell defined a virtual manipulative as an “an interactive, Web-based visual representation of a dynamic object that presents opportunities for constructing mathematical knowledge” (p. 373). The purpose of this chapter is to revisit, clarify and update the definition of a virtual manipulative. After clarifying what a virtual manipulative is and what it is not, we propose an updated definition for virtual manipulative: an interactive, technology-enabled visual representation of a dynamic mathematical object, including all of the programmable features that allow it to be manipulated, that presents opportunities for constructing mathematical knowledge. The chapter describes the characteristics of five of the most common virtual manipulative environments in use in education: single-representation, multi-representation, tutorial, gaming and simulation.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Utah State University, Logan, USA

    Patricia S. Moyer-Packenham

  2. West Virginia University, Morgantown, USA

    Johnna J. Bolyard

Authors
  1. Patricia S. Moyer-Packenham
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  2. Johnna J. Bolyard
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Correspondence to Patricia S. Moyer-Packenham .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Utah State University, Logan, Utah, USA

    Patricia S. Moyer-Packenham

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Moyer-Packenham, P.S., Bolyard, J.J. (2016). Revisiting the Definition of a Virtual Manipulative. In: Moyer-Packenham, P. (eds) International Perspectives on Teaching and Learning Mathematics with Virtual Manipulatives. Mathematics Education in the Digital Era, vol 7. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-32718-1_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-32718-1_1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-32716-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-32718-1

  • eBook Packages: EducationEducation (R0)

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