Overall, there is no tested theoretical framework that can
explain exactly if and how touch affects one’s learning. Given
the scarcity of research in this domain and the fact that
researchers have not formulated definitive conclusions about
the positive effect of physicality, as such, on students’
learning, including understanding of science concepts
(
Minogue & Jones, 2009
), it is remarkable that the emphasis
on physical manipulation is so prevalent among educators,
when it comes to learning through experimentation, even
nowadays that alternatives exist. One such alternative is virtual
manipulation, which has inherent pragmatic advantages and
has accumulated a research record that shows its positive
impact on learning (
van der Meij & de Jong, 2006; Triona &
Klahr, 2003; Zacharia et al., 2008
)