Developing geometry thinking through multimedia learning activities

In this study, a multimedia learning software program named GeoCAL is described. It is based on van Hiele's geometric thinking level theory, which consists of four levels: recognition, visual association, description/analysis, and abstraction/relation. In addition to presenting the software design, this study also explores the learning effects of GeoCAL on each of the geometric thinking levels and on overall geometric thinking. The subjects of this study are second-grade elementary school students of an average age of eight who have not previously had formal lessons in geometry. The experimental results indicate that, with the exception of recognition ability, GeoCAL produces significant learning effects on visual association, description/analysis and abstraction/relation as well as overall geometric thinking.

[1]  P. M. Hiele.  Structure and Insight: A Theory of Mathematics Education , 1985 .

[2]  Julie Sarama,et al.  Young Children's Ideas about Geometric Shapes. , 2000 .

[3]  James B. Caballero.  A Geometry Game. , 1974 .

[4]  Douglas H. Clements,et al.  Geometry and spatial reasoning. , 1992 .

[5]  Douglas A. Grouws,et al.  Handbook of research on mathematics teaching and learning , 1992 .

[6]  M. Pierre,et al.  Developing Geometric Thinking through Activities That Begin with Play , 1999 .

[7]  Arif Altun,et al.  Computers and 2D geometric learning of Turkish fourth and fifth graders , 2005, Br. J. Educ. Technol..

[8]  David J. Fuys,et al.  Concept Learning in Geometry. , 1997 .

[9]  J. Piaget,et al.  Child's Conception Of Geometry , 1960 .

[10]  S. Olkun.  Comparing Computer versus Concrete Manipulatives in Learning 2D Geometry , 2003 .

[11]  J. Sarama,et al.  Young Children's Concepts of Shape. , 1999 .

[12]  M. Battista.  Learning Geometry in a Dynamic Computer Environment. , 2002 .

[13]  V. Walle,et al.  Elementary School Mathematics: Teaching Developmentally , 1990 .

[14]  S. Choi-koh,et al.  A Student's Learning of Geometry Using the Computer , 1999 .

[15]  Laurie D. Edwards,et al.  Children's learning in a computer microworld for transformation geometry , 1989 .

[16]  Richard Lehrer,et al.  Comparative Study of the Cognitive Consequences of Inquiry-Based Logo Instruction. , 1988 .

[17]  Robert D. Hannafin,et al.  Learning With Dynamic Geometry Programs: Perspectives of Teachers and Learners , 2001 .