Rajiv Satsangi’s research while affiliated with George Mason University and other places

Whole number computations are a critical skill that serves as a foundation upon which higher-order concepts in mathematics are taught to children. To facilitate their instruction, educators often use multiple representations to support a child’s cognition. Representations with physical manipulatives are widely studied through a graduated instructional sequence featuring concrete, representational, and abstract stages of learning. In contrast, research on representational sequences featuring virtual manipulatives is less robust. Thus, this study evaluated an instructional strategy with virtual manipulatives, static representational drawings, and abstract algorithms to teach multiplication to three elementary students with mathematics difficulty. A functional relation was established via a single-subject multiple probe design between the treatment and students’ accuracy performance. Baseline-corrected Tau estimates confirmed a medium effect size for all three students, while student performance on measures assessing the number of errors committed and the duration of sessions also returned favorable findings.

Proportional reasoning and knowledge of fractions are critical skills for completing algebra successfully, yet many students with mathematics learning disabilities (MLD) enter algebra classes without adequate prior knowledge of these skills. This study used a single-subject/case research, combined multiple-baseline and alternating-treatment design to determine the functional relation between the use of varied technology-based interventions (i.e., a virtual manipulative [VM], a technology-based graphic organizer [TBGO], and a combination of both [VM+TBGO]) and student accuracy in solving pro- portion word problems. Additional dependent variables included student independence and duration. Three high school students with MLD solved proportion word problems without assistance in the baseline phase and then randomly alternated between the three treatments during intervention. Overall, student accuracy and independence in- creased, and the time required to solve word problems decreased. All students preferred using technology to solve word problems and the VM+TBGO. Limitations, implications for practice, and suggestions for future research are discussed.

Proportional reasoning and knowledge of fractions are critical skills for completing algebra successfully, yet many students with mathematics learning disabilities (MLD) enter algebra classes without adequate prior knowledge of these skills. This study used a single-subject/case research, combined multiple-baseline and alternating-treatment design to determine the functional relation between the use of varied technology-based interventions (i.e., a virtual manipulative [VM], a technology-based graphic organizer [TBGO], and a combination of both [VM+TBGO]) and student accuracy in solving proportion word problems. Additional dependent variables included student independence and duration. Three high school students with MLD solved proportion word problems without assistance in the baseline phase and then randomly alternated between the three treatments during intervention. Overall, student accuracy and independence increased, and the time required to solve word problems decreased. All students preferred using technology to solve word problems and the VM+TBGO. Limitations, implications for practice, and suggestions for future research are discussed.

Researchers established virtual manipulatives as an evidence-based practice for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). However, much of the existing research for this population targets middle school students with IDD. This study examined a virtual number line paired with teacher modeling and the system of least prompts to support high school students with IDD in acquiring, maintaining, and generalizing addition and subtraction problems. Through a single case research study with three high school students with IDD, the researchers found a functional relation between the intervention package and student accuracy. Students also became more independent but struggled to maintain their skills when prompting was not provided. Further, the students were unable to generalize the skills of addition and subtraction to real-life scenarios targeting time and money. These findings and their implications for the field of IDD are examined.

Educators often seek innovative strategies to support academic instruction for struggling students. For students with or at-risk for a learning disability in mathematics, challenges learning critical skills often result in them falling behind their grade-level peers. One strategy that can provide targeted instruction on key concepts is video modeling. Teacher-made videos serve as a valuable resource for struggling students to access supplementary teaching beyond the classroom. This column highlights six steps for teachers to follow when developing video modeling to support instruction for students with a learning disability.

As digital technology use increases in K–12 education, greater numbers of strategies become available to support students in mathematics. One technology that provides students diverse representations of mathematical concepts is virtual manipulatives. Although instruction featuring representations with physical manipulatives possesses a large body of research, the virtual form lacks comparable study, particularly with young children experiencing mathematics difficulty or identified with a mathematics learning disability. These students often demonstrate challenges learning integral skills such as fractions that subsequently affect their academic success in future years. This study examined the use of virtual manipulatives paired with explicit instruction and a system of least prompts for teaching computations with fractions to three elementary students with mathematics difficulty. A functional relation was found using a single-subject multiple probe design between the treatment condition and students’ accuracy performance solving problems. These results and their implications for the field at-large are discussed.

Manipulatives are an effective mathematical tool to support students with disabilities in the area of mathematics. Yet, there remain inconsistencies in terms of which type – concrete or virtual – is more effective for students with disabilities working on algebra related content and which type is preferred by students. The researchers used an alternating treatment single case research design to compare the effectiveness of each type of manipulative in terms of students’ accuracy and independence when using the tools. Results indicate both types of manipulatives were effective in terms of accuracy no notable differences when comparing independence. However, when reviewing social validity interview data, all three students preferred virtual algebra tiles.

Many forms of assistive and instructional technology exist to support secondary students in mathematics education. Classroom technology provides particular benefits to students who frequently struggle learning academic content such as procedural and conceptual skills in algebra. One tool studied in mathematics to support the needs of students with or at-risk for a mathematics learning disability is virtual manipulatives. Research shows virtual manipulatives support cognition by providing visual representations of mathematical concepts and are an age appropriate technology solution for secondary students that promote autonomy inside and beyond the classroom setting. The aim of this article is to highlight research on virtual manipulatives for secondary students with a learning disability in mathematics and discuss techniques for teachers to incorporate these tools into their classrooms to support students.