What is Virtual Manipulatives

In this chapter, the authors describe one model for how teacher preparation programs can use research and technology to facilitate the development of preservice teachers and accelerate their effectiveness. Our work illustrates a collection of teacher preparation tools including our online Encyclopedia of Algebraic Thinking, online Video Case Database, online Formative Assessment Database and our collection of Virtual Algebra Manipulatives (iOS Apps). We situate our work in the content of algebra because it has been shown to be a gatekeeper to future mathematics (Moses & Cobb, 2001). However, our model could be applied to other subjects and content areas. Case study data indicate that our tools impact preservice teacher practice regarding the anticipation of student thinking. We have made these resources freely available to the profession so that we might begin to create consistently reliable tools for facilitating effective instruction, particularly for preservice and early career teachers.