Date of Award:
Master of Science (MS)
Mathematics and Statistics
E. Robert Heal
Larry O. Cannon
An important assumption in the implementation of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) Standards 2000 is that the mathematics classroom is a place where students are actively involved in the learning process. One way to foster such a learning environment is by using manipulatives. By their nature, manipulatives make the learning of mathematics a discovery-based activity. As computer use increases in the classroom, virtual manipulatives will become more important as instructional tools. Virtual manipulatives offer advantages over their traditional versions. Most important is their dynamic nature. Their dynamic capabilities provide two main benefits. First, the number of potential problems for students to explore is increased dramatically. Students can use this capability to explore an idea from many viewpoints using different problems. Second, problem states are updated instantly and results are displayed. That is, the user can see immediately the effect of changes in problem parameters. Both of these benefits promote student engagement in the learning of mathematics. This thesis consists of a collection of such virtual manipulatives, in the form of Java applets, along with a description of their use.
Stowell, David, "The Modern Mathematics Classroom: A Collection of Virtual Manipulatives for Teachers and Students" (2001). All Graduate Theses and Dissertations. 7106.
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