Teaching Mathematics with Virtual Manipulative

Teaching the concept of conservation of volume using virtual manipulative (VM) using a website from the National Library of Virtual Manipulative (NLVM).

http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/frames_asid_275_g_4_t_4.html?from=category_g_4_t_4.html



By using the interactive whiteboard (IWB)to conduct a lesson like a pop-quiz. I asked the pupils to sit in front of the IWB and initially I asked all of them to participate in answering the problem by making guesses. Then moving on to questioning them in selective groups and then individually. After the activities, I asked the pupils to try the VM themselves on the desktop PCs.

From what I have observed, some of the pupils are still in transition period, some of them are still confused about the conservation of liquid. The pupils really enjoyed the lesson when I asked them about it at the end of the class and even before, when I asked them to come over to the ICT lab, they were really excited and motivated. Some of the pupils also asked for the website because they want to try it again at home in their own time.



The pupil trying the virtual manipulative on the IWB.



Another pupil trying the virtual manipulative on the IWB



The pupil trying the virtual manipulative himself on the desktop computer.

Lesson Plan Vm