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WGU D180 Task 1 |Passed on First Attempt
|Latest Update with Complete Solution
Identifying a Research Topic
Angela Taylor
MSCIN Program, Western Governors University
D180: Educational Research
May, 29, 2025
Research Topic
My topic is how students in my third-grade class lack knowledge in math. I would like to
research effective use of manipulatives in order to deepen a stronger understanding of
mathematics in the elementary level classrooms. This topic is important to elementary
education because it will assist students with a better understanding of mathematics, deepen
their knowledge and understanding on the content. A solid foundation in the early grades is
essential for success throughout the middle and high school years. Students who lack the
foundational math skills in the early grade are more likely to continuously struggle in the higher
grade levels (Satsangi & Raines, 2023). As an experienced educator, I want to prepare students
as much as possible to set them up for success. Math concepts must be understood and
applied, not just memorized. For this to occur, students need a solid foundation of all concepts.
Using manipulatives has been proven to assist students to provide a deeper understanding, not
just a “hands-on” learning experience (Furman, 2017). Having experience with manipulatives,
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it is important to incorporate them into lessons to enhance student learning and achieve higher
performance among students.
Problem Statement
One problem in my current school that I will focus on is with teachers using instructional
practices and struggling to teach mathematical concepts. This problem has a negative impact
on students’ ability to reach and maintain grade level mathematical skills. The inability of
students to understand foundational concepts will lead to struggle with number sense and
critical thinking. A possible cause of this problem may be that teachers have had inadequate
training or lack of access to manipulatives to build the foundational understanding of
conceptual math.
Capstone Research
I will be completing an applied research project and creating a professional
development program focused on math manipulatives in the classroom.
Justification of Capstone
I am choosing to create a professional development program in the area of using math
manipulatives to support understanding of conceptual math. There is a need for this because
many teachers in my school are lacking knowledge to appropriately choose manipulatives and
implement ways to use them to build conceptual understanding in mathematics. Just teaching
steps or a process without a deeper understanding will not lead students to long term success.
All teachers will complete this professional development and leave with the knowledge, skills,
and strategies to implement the use of manipulatives into their classroom.
WGU D180 Task 1 |Passed on First Attempt
|Latest Update with Complete Solution
Identifying a Research Topic
Angela Taylor
MSCIN Program, Western Governors University
D180: Educational Research
May, 29, 2025
Research Topic
My topic is how students in my third-grade class lack knowledge in math. I would like to
research effective use of manipulatives in order to deepen a stronger understanding of
mathematics in the elementary level classrooms. This topic is important to elementary
education because it will assist students with a better understanding of mathematics, deepen
their knowledge and understanding on the content. A solid foundation in the early grades is
essential for success throughout the middle and high school years. Students who lack the
foundational math skills in the early grade are more likely to continuously struggle in the higher
grade levels (Satsangi & Raines, 2023). As an experienced educator, I want to prepare students
as much as possible to set them up for success. Math concepts must be understood and
applied, not just memorized. For this to occur, students need a solid foundation of all concepts.
Using manipulatives has been proven to assist students to provide a deeper understanding, not
just a “hands-on” learning experience (Furman, 2017). Having experience with manipulatives,
, 2
it is important to incorporate them into lessons to enhance student learning and achieve higher
performance among students.
Problem Statement
One problem in my current school that I will focus on is with teachers using instructional
practices and struggling to teach mathematical concepts. This problem has a negative impact
on students’ ability to reach and maintain grade level mathematical skills. The inability of
students to understand foundational concepts will lead to struggle with number sense and
critical thinking. A possible cause of this problem may be that teachers have had inadequate
training or lack of access to manipulatives to build the foundational understanding of
conceptual math.
Capstone Research
I will be completing an applied research project and creating a professional
development program focused on math manipulatives in the classroom.
Justification of Capstone
I am choosing to create a professional development program in the area of using math
manipulatives to support understanding of conceptual math. There is a need for this because
many teachers in my school are lacking knowledge to appropriately choose manipulatives and
implement ways to use them to build conceptual understanding in mathematics. Just teaching
steps or a process without a deeper understanding will not lead students to long term success.
All teachers will complete this professional development and leave with the knowledge, skills,
and strategies to implement the use of manipulatives into their classroom.
