{"title":"The confluence of attitudes towards mathematics and pedagogical practice: evaluating the use of mathematical manipulatives","authors":"Kate Quane","doi":"10.1007/s13394-024-00494-0","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p>The use of manipulatives to develop conceptual understanding is a prevalent practice in many mathematical learning experiences, particularly in the early years of schooling. From <i>primary student perspectives</i>, our understanding of the impact of manipulatives in mathematics education on students’ <i>attitudes</i> is limited. This study evaluates the impact of mathematical manipulatives on Young Children’s Attitudes Towards Mathematics (YCATM) by examining children’s drawings, as well as their written and verbal descriptions of their drawings from 106 year 2 and year 3 students. Classroom observations were conducted to investigate how attitudes towards mathematics are enacted during mathematical learning experiences. The modified three-dimensional model of attitude (MTMA) and Bruner’s experiential stages were used to investigate how manipulatives influence YCATM. Data analyses used systematic, numerical coding, and thematic and comparative approaches, employing inductive, deductive, and anticipatory coding for data from both lesson and non-lesson contexts. The findings suggest that young children enjoyed using manipulatives, contributing to their vision of mathematics and perceived competence. However, the transition between enactive, iconic, and symbolic experiences can contribute to the formation of negative attitudes. The present study also emphasizes the importance of context, content, and familiarity with the use of manipulatives.</p>","PeriodicalId":46887,"journal":{"name":"Mathematics Education Research Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.4000,"publicationDate":"2024-06-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Mathematics Education Research Journal","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s13394-024-00494-0","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"EDUCATION, SCIENTIFIC DISCIPLINES","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
The use of manipulatives to develop conceptual understanding is a prevalent practice in many mathematical learning experiences, particularly in the early years of schooling. From primary student perspectives, our understanding of the impact of manipulatives in mathematics education on students’ attitudes is limited. This study evaluates the impact of mathematical manipulatives on Young Children’s Attitudes Towards Mathematics (YCATM) by examining children’s drawings, as well as their written and verbal descriptions of their drawings from 106 year 2 and year 3 students. Classroom observations were conducted to investigate how attitudes towards mathematics are enacted during mathematical learning experiences. The modified three-dimensional model of attitude (MTMA) and Bruner’s experiential stages were used to investigate how manipulatives influence YCATM. Data analyses used systematic, numerical coding, and thematic and comparative approaches, employing inductive, deductive, and anticipatory coding for data from both lesson and non-lesson contexts. The findings suggest that young children enjoyed using manipulatives, contributing to their vision of mathematics and perceived competence. However, the transition between enactive, iconic, and symbolic experiences can contribute to the formation of negative attitudes. The present study also emphasizes the importance of context, content, and familiarity with the use of manipulatives.
期刊介绍:
The Mathematics Education Research Journal seeks to promote high quality research that is of interest to the international community. The Mathematics Education Research Journal seeks to present research that promotes new knowledge, ideas, methodologies and epistemologies in the field of mathematics education. The Mathematics Education Research Journal actively seeks to promote research from the Australasian region either as research conducted in the region; conducted by researchers from the region and/or draws on research from the region. The Mathematics Education Research Journal accepts papers from authors from all regions internationally but authors must draw on the extensive research that has been produced in the Australasian region. The Mathematics Education Research Journal normally does not encourage publication of teacher education programs or courses. These are more suited for theother MERGA journal, Mathematics Teacher Education and Development.