RDF2601 Assignment 3 (PORTFOLIO) Due 19 September 2025

RDF2601
Assignment 3
(PORTFOLIO)
Due 19 September 2025

, RDF2601

Assignment 3 (Portfolio)

Due 19 September 2025



QUESTION 1

1.1 Critique the use of natural materials in teaching mathematical concepts

Advantages:

• Enhanced Sensory Engagement: Natural materials like stones and leaves
activate multiple senses, supporting multisensory integration. For example,
children manipulating stones develop a holistic number sense (Resnick, 1992).

• Contextual and Situated Learning: Activities like sorting leaves by shape foster
classification skills and ecological awareness (Lave & Wenger, 1991).

• Cost-Effectiveness and Accessibility: Natural materials are often freely
available, reducing economic barriers (Eisenberg & Kleinfeld, 2017).

• Fostering Creativity and Critical Thinking: Open-ended materials like
pinecones encourage divergent thinking and pattern recognition (Bruner, 1961).

Limitations:

• Inconsistency and Variability: Natural materials vary in size and shape, which
can introduce extraneous cognitive load (Miller & Cothran, 2010).

• Durability and Maintenance: Organic materials are perishable, requiring
frequent replacement (Henderson & Hawthorne, 2014).

• Safety Concerns: Materials like sticks with sharp edges pose safety risks (Clark
& Neville, 2018).

• Limited Precision for Advanced Concepts: Natural materials lack the
standardization needed for teaching precise measurements or fractions
(Clements & Sarama, 2009).