Article

A Preschool Teacher’s Action Research Using a Combination of Hands-On Manipulatives and Computer Software to Help Preschoolers Understand Number Concepts

Author

Yong Joon Park

Information

pp. 85~117 / 2012 Vol.6 No.1

Abstract

This is a case study involving a preschool teacher who produced and tested a design called “CombinedActivity,” which uses a combination of hands-on mathematics manipulatives and computer software tohelp preschoolers understand number concepts. The purpose of the action research was to describe howthe children experienced the Combined Activity in learning number concepts by using a combination ofhands-on manipulatives and computer software. The participants were a preschool teacher and 20 threetofive-year-old preschoolers who spent three weeks using the Combined Activity at a preschool in anurban area in Florida, U. S. A. Results of this study show that the participants in the Combined Activitywere able to interact with the teacher and peers using diverse communication skills in much more variedmathematical learning environments than by lecture alone. The findings imply that a teacher needs todesign the physical setting taking into consideration the culturally and developmentally appropriatelearning environment (Copple & Bredkamp, 2009; Gestwicki, 2009; Tobin, 2011) through on-goingobservation. The teacher also needs developmentally appropriate materials, reflective activity plans, andclear guidelines as well as attention to the children’s linguistic and cultural backgrounds.

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