Transfer-outcome format can favor symbolic controls over manipulative conditions (transfer-appropriate processing), potentially explaining inconsistent transfer findings¶
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Evidence · 1 study · theoreticalr3·q2
Currency · newest study 2014 · not yet checked against its sources · not reviewed by a person
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q2 i? When transfer of learning is measured with symbolic-format tasks, symbolic control conditions tend to outperform manipulative-based treatment conditions; the reverse may occur when transfer tasks require manipulating objects, a phenomenon the commentary identifies as transfer-appropriate processing. → Scott C. Marley & Kira J. Carbonneau 2014
Evidence¶
Scott C. Marley & Kira J. Carbonneau 2014¶
Scott C. Marley & Kira J. Carbonneau. (2014). Future Directions for Theory and Research with Instructional Manipulatives: Commentary on the Special Issue Papers. Educational Psychology Review. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-014-9259-1
q2 · i? · theoretical · r3
Commentary discussion in the Transfer of Learning section proposing transfer-appropriate processing (citing Morris et al. 1977) as an explanation for inconsistent transfer results: "control conditions will tend to perform better than manipulative-based treatment conditions" on symbolic-format measures.
"if transfer of learning is defined as successful completion of measures that are in symbolic formats, control conditions will tend to perform better than manipulative-based treatment conditions. The reverse may occur when transfer of learning consists of outcomes that require manipulating objects"
Discussion¶
Related Claims¶
- Manipulatives Improve Math Learning — related
- Concreteness fading studies in mathematics show mixed transfer results, with some studies favoring fading and others favoring generic symbols or reversed sequences — related
- Spatial Training Improves Math Performance — related
Page metadata
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
type |
claim |
id |
transfer-appropriate-processing-manipulatives-inconsistent-transfer |
title |
Transfer-outcome format can favor symbolic controls over manipulative conditions (transfer-appropriate processing), potentially explaining inconsistent transfer findings |
description |
Transfer-outcome format can favor symbolic controls over manipulative conditions (transfer-appropriate processing), potentially explaining inconsistent transfer findings |
status |
review |
evidence_strength |
weak |
newest_evidence |
2014 |
generated |
by process:wiki-ingest on 2026-10-21 |
trust |
unverified — no one has confirmed this page's content |
sources |
1 — scott-c-marley-kira-j-carbonneau-2014 |
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