New Insights and Implications

In our class this past week we have discussed the topic of using manipulatives to help students understand fractions. I know that manipulatives are useful and that there are different kinds available to address almost every subject found in school; however, I didn't know what to look for to pick out one manipulative over another. For example I, at first, did not realize fractional manipulatives should not be labeled. After our class discussion I now understand that it is important that students create/construct this understanding of fractions through working with the manipulatives instead of being told what it is. This is just one more example of how allowing students to construct their own understanding will better their learning of the material and help them to retain the information better than they would if it was just told to them by the teacher. ~Dustin Mees