Using geometer’s sketchpad to overcome Konongo-Odumase SHS students’ difficulties in circle theorems

Abstract

The study sought to find out student’s difficulties in circle theorems and the use of Geometer’s sketchpad, an interactive geometry software, to overcome their difficulties. The design for the study was an action research which involved 45 students purposively selected at Konongo - Odumasi SHS. Two main instruments, questionnaire and tests ( pre-test and post-test) were used in data collection. The questionnaire was used to elicit teacher’s perception of circle theorems in mathematics curriculum. After the pre-test was administered an appropriate intervention was designed to help to address student’s difficulties on the topic circle theorems using Geometer’s sketchpad and then a post-test was given to determine whether or not there had been improvement in their performance. The achievement scores were analysed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) to compute the descriptive statistics. The results suggest that, incorporating the intervention tool (GSP software) into mathematics classroom teaching improved the achievement of the students. The percentage means score in the pre-test and the post-test were 19.5% and 61.9% respectively indicating that mean of post-test score for the dependant variables (geometry conjectures) was significantly higher. The p-value of 0.00 obtained is far less than the level of significance 0.05. It was identified that student’s performance improved drastically as they were allowed to explore and solve problems with the Geometer’s sketchpad. One of the findings noticed was that the students developed much knowledge as they were allowed to use computer software to identify the theorems. Another notable finding made was that most of the students had developed interest and confidence in solving circle theorems problems.