Manipulatives in nursing education: A concept analysis

Use of manipulatives is an active learning strategy that relies on student interaction with objects to help them understand abstract concepts. Manipulatives are frequently used in elementary and middle schools but literature demonstrates that they are also effective tools for adult learners. The aim of this concept analysis is to evaluate the use of manipulatives in education and its applicability to nursing education. Walker and Avant's eight-step concept analysis process was used for this evaluation. Google Scholar, EPSCO, PubMed, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature databases were searched using the terms manipulative and manipulatives, college or higher education, and teaching strategies. Three defining attributes emerged from the analysis: manipulatives must be positively engaging to students, learners must interact with objects or virtual graphics, and objects or graphics must be used to facilitate learning. Based on these defining attributes an operational definition is proposed. The model case provides an example of the use of manipulatives in nursing education, whereas additional cases support the defining attributes and the operational definition. Empirical referents describe uses of manipulatives in nursing education, both in academic and clinical settings. The concept of manipulatives and their defining attributes can be used by nurse educators to plan, organize, and evaluate education programs.