Using Mathematical Modelling and Virtual Manipulatives to Teach Elementary Mathematics

Abstract

The acronym STEM has been gaining prominence in discussions around the future of Education. With the growing importance of mathematics and technology in the STEM context, it is important that initial teacher education can respond to this challenge. Participation in STEM teaching experiences, which make an appropriate integration of technology, promote the development of professional teaching knowledge related to the TPACK dimensions and motivate pre - service teachers to adopt these teaching practices. We seek to contribute to this discussion with an intervention proposal, implemented during the practice component of pre-service teacher training, which combined Mathematical Modelling as a learning environment with the use of Virtual Manipulatives. A set of tasks supported by the TPACK conceptual model were designed to assist a group of 1st year elementary school to overcome difficulties detected in their learning related to elementary arithmetic operations. Through a qualitative research of interpretative nature and action research design, the analysis of the pre-service teacher performance identified the teaching practice characteristics that contributed to the creation of favourable conditions for self-regulation and co-regulation of students’ mathematical learning.