Using hands-On Versus Virtual Manipulatives to Assist Basic Seven (7) Students in Understanding the Concept of Algebraic Expressions : A Case Study of Bagabaga Demonstration Junior High School

Zakaria A. Sadiq ORCID iD, Nashiru Abdulai ORCID iD, Abdulai B. Dramani ORCID iD & Richard Ayamah  

Issue: Vol.6  No. 2 February 2025 Article 3 pp. 36-59
DOI : https://doi.org/10.38159/jelt.2025623   |   Published online 13th February, 2025.
© 2025 The Author(s). This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

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This research study employs a quasi-experimental research design. The primary objective is to compare the effectiveness of hands-on and virtual manipulatives in enhancing the comprehension of the concept of algebraic expressions among Basic Seven (7) students at Bagabaga Demonstration Junior High School in Sagnarigu Municipality located in Tamale, Ghana. The research population comprised 100 students, selected through purposive and simple random sampling techniques. The population was divided into two groups: the Experimental group and the Control group. Prior to the intervention, both groups underwent a pretest, resulting in nearly identical mean and standard deviation scores (i.e.,1.08 and 1.44). Following the intervention, a Posttest was conducted to assess the impact of the intervention methods. The Experimental group achieved a mean score of 7.3, accompanied by a standard deviation of 5.9 while the Control group attained a mean score of 8.86, with a standard deviation of 1.5. These findings suggest that the use of hands-on and virtual manipulatives has a substantial influence on the understanding of the concept of algebraic expressions among the Bagabaga Demonstration Junior High School Basic Seven (7) students. The study recommends the use of diverse approaches which employ both hands-on and virtual manipulatives to address various learning styles, integrating them with other teaching strategies as well as continuous training of teachers to effectively integrate manipulatives into the classroom, and collaborate with colleagues to share best practices.

Keywords: Algebraic Expression, Algebra tiles, Hands-on Manipulatives, Virtual Manipulatives

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Zakaria Abubakari Sadiq is a distinguished Mathematics educator with over two decades of dedicated teaching experience. His robust academic foundation includes studies at prestigious Ghanaian institutions: the University of Cape Coast (UCC), University of Education, Winneba (UEW), Paris Graduate School of Management (PGSM), and University for Development Studies (UDS). This comprehensive educational background has equipped him with both theoretical depth and practical teaching expertise. Further enhancing his professional capacity, Mr. Sadiq has received specialized training from key educational institutions including the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA), Transforming Teacher Education and Learning (T-TEL), and the Ghana Education Service (GES). This diverse training has enriched his approach to mathematics education and curriculum development. As a veteran mathematics tutor, he specializes in mathematical modeling and has developed an extensive array of teaching and learning resources that enhance student understanding. His expertise spans both senior high school and tertiary levels, where he has consistently demonstrated excellence in making complex mathematical concepts accessible and engaging for students. His deep understanding of educational frameworks, combined with his practical teaching experience, has established him as a respected curriculum expert. Mr. Sadiq’s commitment to mathematics education continues to influence and shape the learning experiences of students across different educational levels.

Nashiru Abdulai is a dedicated mathematics educator with a strong academic background and a passion for teaching. He earned his Bachelor of Education in Mathematics from the University of Education Winneba in 2009, laying the foundation for his commitment to education. Furthering his expertise, Nashiru pursued a Master of Science in Industrial Mathematics at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in 2015. His postgraduate studies equipped him with advanced knowledge and skills in the application of mathematics to real-world industrial problems. Currently serving as a mathematics lecturer at Tamale College of Education in Tamale, Ghana, he is deeply involved in shaping the next generation of educators. His teaching philosophy emphasizes the practical applications of mathematics and encourages critical thinking skills among his students. Beyond the classroom, he is engaged in ongoing research projects aimed at enhancing mathematics education methodologies. His commitment to academic excellence and his contributions to the field make him a valuable asset to the educational community. Email: biolotee@yahoo.com

Mr. Dramani Bilson Abdulai is a leading figure in mathematics education, integrating teaching, research, and innovation to enhance mathematics instruction in Ghana. As a Lecturer at Bagabaga College of Education, he has introduced transformative teaching methods that improve student learning outcomes. Currently pursuing a PhD in Mathematics at AAMUSTED, Kumasi Ghana. Mr. Abdulai holds an MPhil in Mathematics from the same institution, along with an M.Ed and B.Ed in Mathematics from the University of Education, Winneba. His academic journey reflects his deep expertise in both mathematical theory and pedagogy.His pioneering research on using Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) games in mathematics education has significantly influenced teaching practices. He also explores the impact of teaching quality and student motivation on mathematical performance. His scholarly contributions include publications on manipulatives in algebra and technology integration in mathematics instruction. Beyond research, Mr. Abdulai has held key academic leadership roles, including Head of the Mathematics/ICT Department at Bagabaga College of Education and Council Member of CK Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences. He also teaches advanced mathematics at the University of Cape Coast and Valley View University. Email: dramanibilsona@yahoo.com

Richard Ayamah has been a regular mathematics lecturer at St. Joseph’s College of Education,Bechem-Ghana for almost thirteen years now. Before then, he had taught in different pre-tertiary schools for thirteen years. Besides the regular teaching job, he has been engaging in part-time lecturing in mathematics related courses under University of Cape Coast (UCC) and Valley View University(VVU) in their various Sandwiches, distance, online and regular programmes. In the case of his professional credentials, he had his three-year post-secondary teacher training education certificate “A” at Mampong Technical Teacher’s College(MTTC) in 1999, his first degree in Bachelor of Education (Mathematics) at UCC in 2006 and his Masters degree (MPhil Mathematics) at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in 2011.Outside classroom, he has also engaged in such different kinds of community services as rural electrification programmes, HIV-AIDS awareness campaign, voluntary teaching, etc at different locations of Ghana. He has also conducted a lot of mathematics related research works and published about seven of them with some of his learned colleagues in different international journals. These publications can be traced by searching for “Richard Ayamah” on the Google chrome platform. E-mail:r.ayamah@yahoo.com

Sadiq, Zakaria A., Nashiru Abdulai, Abdulai B. Dramani and Richard Ayamah. “Using hands-On Versus Virtual Manipulatives to Assist Basic Seven (7) Students in Understanding the Concept of Algebraic Expressions : A Case Study of Bagabaga Demonstration Junior High School.” Journal of Education and Learning Technology 6, no.2 (2025): 1-20.  https://doi.org/10.38159/jelt.2025623

© 2025 The Author(s). Published and Maintained by Noyam Journals. This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

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