AN EXPLORATION OF HIGH SCHOOL LEARNERS’ UNDERSTANDING OF GEOMETRIC CONCEPTS
Title | AN EXPLORATION OF HIGH SCHOOL LEARNERS’ UNDERSTANDING OF GEOMETRIC CONCEPTS |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2019 |
Authors | Ngirishi, H, Bansilal, S |
Journal | Problems of Education in the 21st Century |
Volume | 77 |
Issue | 1 |
Start Page | 82-96 |
Pagination | Continuous |
Date Published | February/2019 |
Type of Article | Original article |
ISSN | 1822-7864 |
Other Numbers | E-ISSN 2538-7111 |
Keywords | class inclusion, geometry, high school, mathematical proof, necessary and sufficient conditions, van Hiele theory |
Abstract | There is much concern in South Africa about the poor performance of learners in mathematics, particularly in geometry. The aim of this research was to explore the understanding of basic geometry concepts by grade 10 and grade 11 learners in terms of the van Hiele’s levels of geometry thinking. The participants of the research were 147 learners from three high schools in a rural area in the south of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. The results showed that the learners had difficulties with problems involving definitions of geometric terms, interrelations of properties and shapes, class inclusion and changing semiotic representations. It was also found that most of the learners were operating at the visual and the analysis levels of the van Hiele levels of geometric thinking. It is recommended that teachers should provide learners with tasks that require movements between semiotic representations, and to also focus attention on improving learners’ skills in proving aspects of mathematical relations. |
URL | http://oaji.net/articles/2019/457-1550425157.pdf |
DOI | 10.33225/pec/19.77.82 |
Refereed Designation | Refereed |
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