Haptic Experiences With Virtual and Physical Manipulatives in Chemistry

• In Event: Student-Centered Approaches in Postsecondary STEM

Abstract

Physical and virtual manipulatives have complementary benefits. Prior research recommends learning sequences that present physical manipulatives with haptic experiences before virtual manipulatives. However, it is unclear how students make connections between their haptic experiences with physical manipulatives to the target concept or to virtual manipulatives. To address this gap, we present a bottom-up, grounded theory analysis of students’ verbal explanations of their haptic experiences as they complete chemistry learning activities with physical then virtual manipulatives. Our findings will extend prior work on learning with physical and virtual manipulatives. Further, they can help develop a broader range of blended educational technologies that integrate these manipulatives.

Authors

• Joel P. Beier, University of Wisconsin - Madison
  Presenting Author

• Martina A. Rau, University of Wisconsin - Madison
  Non-Presenting Author