In the subject of mathematics, it is necessary to apply teaching and learning methods that utilize various digital technologies to prepare for the changes of the future society, to develop students' capabilities, and to improve the usefulness of teach...
In the subject of mathematics, it is necessary to apply teaching and learning methods that utilize various digital technologies to prepare for the changes of the future society, to develop students' capabilities, and to improve the usefulness of teaching and learning. In particular, technology such as exploratory software plays an important role in learning in the area of geometry(NCTM, 2000) and affects the formation of the concept of geometry based on operational understanding. In addition, when it is used for learning in the area of geometry, it can promote students' visualization and provide an opportunity for exploration to cultivate inductive reasoning ability.
This study conducted a class using GeoGebra software for 'Congruence and Symmetry' in the 2nd semester of the 5th grade of elementary school, and tried to find out students' inductive reasoning ability and the aspect of the visualization process, which are important elements in the formation of the concept of geometry. For this purpose, the research questions set in this study are as follows: First, how is the students' inductive reasoning ability level shown in elementary geometry classes using exploratory software? Second, what is the aspect of visualization components of students appeared in elementary geometry classes using exploratory software?
Therefore, in this study the theoretical foundation was prepared by examining previous studies on the meaning of inductive reasoning and visualization, the types and significance of exploratory software, and congruence and symmetry units. In addition, a total of 19 students from 5th grade class of A elementary school located in Seoul were selected as subjects of the study. When designing classes, the learning contents and flow of existing textbooks were reflected as much as possible to increase the applicability of exploratory software. In addition, the class was developed in the student-centered file presentation type and the student-centered drawing experience type. In the student-centered file presentation type class, students guessed and verified the concept and properties of geometry by themselves, and the level of inductive reasoning ability was analyzed in detail, by focusing on the activity results. After that, in the student-centered drawing experience type class, students drew shapes that fit the conditions based on the concepts and properties they had learned, and the aspect of visualization was analyzed by focusing on the activity results. In addition, additional analysis was conducted by collecting interviews with students during class, video recordings, students' self-reports, and teacher’s observation diaries.
In regarding the first research question, the level of students' inductive reasoning ability remained at a similar level or developed as the class progressed. In particular, students who had a low level of inductive reasoning began to use the functions of the exploratory software accurately, so all students showed a certain level of inductive reasoning ability. In other words, students' inductive reasoning ability could be improved to a certain level if they continuously experienced inquiry activities that involved guessing and verification using exploratory software. It is also meaningful because it helps students infer new properties by using various functions of exploratory software. In order for students' inductive reasoning ability to reach the highest level, they must be able to accurately describe their manipulation activities in general terms, accurately use the functions of exploratory software, and distinguish the meaning of property and concept.
In regarding the second research question, in the shape of the external representation, students mainly thought of a square shape, and as the class progressed, the shape of a hexagon or a complex polygon increased. Regarding the creation of external representations, polygon drawing tools were mainly used, and when using polygon or regular polygon drawing tools, representations that did not contain errors could be created. For transformation and manipulation of external representations, the auxiliary line function was used the most, helping students to quickly and easily draw figures that fit the conditions. In addition, unlike the paper-and-pencil environment, using the 'measurement' and 'symmetry' functions, it was possible to easily transform and manipulate complex, precisely congruent and symmetrical external representations. Regarding spatial visualization, various types of mental rotation appeared depending on the learning content, and accurate visualization was possible when a new figure that met the conditions was recalled and the mental rotation was repeated.
The conclusions and implications of this study are summarized as follows: First, if exploratory software is used in mathematics classes, it is possible to verify the concept and properties of geometry and to represent complex and diverse forms of representation based on the use of functions. Second, by using exploratory software, students can arrange manipulation activities in their own language and discover new properties, enabling student-centered inquiry. Third, unlike the paper-and-pencil environment, inquiry-type software enables fast and accurate visualization, so that activities should be conducted actively by introducing exploratory software in various geometry areas. Therefore, it is necessary to promote students' inductive reasoning and visualization by utilizing exploratory software in the learning of geometry.