Consequently, the present meta-analysis sought to address these gaps in the literature by conducting a systematic review of interventions involving children’s manipulative use in SREE Spring 2013 Conference Abstract Template 3 prekindergarten through grade 12 to increase student mathematics achievement. The main purpose of this systematic review was to summarize the available evidence on the effects of
using manipulatives during mathematics instruction to increase student mathematics
achievement in preschool through twelfth grade. A key focus of the analysis was to examine the comparative effectiveness of virtual and physical manipulatives and to explore differential effects associated with program and participant characteristics. Specifically, the a priori effect size moderators of interest were as follows: manipulatives type, program duration, gender mix of participants, and grade level of participants. The research questions investigated in this review are as follows: