A preliminary investigation into the use of computers in the teaching of mathematics
- Van Hille, Gilles Ernst Willem
- Authors: Van Hille, Gilles Ernst Willem
- Date: 1986
- Subjects: Mathematics -- Computer-assisted instruction Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Data processing Mathematics -- Study and teaching -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1844 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004382
- Description: Like many South African high school mathematics teachers I have followed the development of computers with interest and I have tried wherever possible to gain some experience on them. Thus when microcomputers became more readily available the mathematics department at our school, Graeme College in Grahamstown, motivated for the school to acquire this powerful new tool. The eventual outcome was that the Old Boys' Association donated to the school 3 BBC B microcomputers with monitors, a disc drive, a printer and two tape recorders. These have now been in the school for three years. The acquisition prompted this research project which takes the following form:- 1) An investigation into some of the uses of microcomputers in schools and, in particular, in the mathematics classroom. 2) A statement on the present position adopted by the Cape Education Department on the use of computers in schools. 3) A study of what the experience has been in other countries, particularly in Britain and the United States of America. 4) A description of an investigation which was undertaken at our school using the method of Action Research and Triangulation. Its aim was to investigate the feasibility of using a microcomputer to aid in the teaching of mathematics and the reaction of the pupils to this innovation. Three different approaches were implemented. a) The algorithmic approach: In this investigation a class of standard eight pupils were required, with the help of the teacher, to write, enter and test a short computer program which would solve any pair of simultaneous linear equations of the form, ax + by = c. Their reaction to this form of instruction was noted by myself and a non-participant observer. The pupils themselves were also asked to express their reactions, both verbally and by filling in a prepared questionnaire. Examples of worksheets, exam questions and analysed questionnaires are given in the appendix. Short programs which examine various other mathematical concepts are also listed and discussed. b) The audio-visual approach: In this case use was made of a graphs software package in which the computer would draw either a straight line, circle, parabola or hyperbola when the appropriate variables were entered. This package also includes a graph game facility where participants are required to find the equation of the graph which will pass through three given points. Points are awarded if the correct type of graph is chosen and the variables are entered within a certain time interval. The pupils involved in this investigation were standard eight higher grade mathematics pupils and their reaction to this form of instruction was again noted using the methods described in (a) above. c) Computer Aided Instruction: Here I was most fortunate to be able to make use of the Rhodes University PLATO Centre. This allowed me to take a class of eighteen standard eight higher grade mathematics pupils to the Centre. Here during four sessions, each of just over an hour, the pupils interacted with the software on the computer terminal. The software used was a set of five lessons written by Barbara Lederman of the Community College Maths Group, of the University of Illinois in 1976. The lessons give instruction and require the pupils to transform, plot and draw the graphs of linear equations of the form, ax + by + c = 0, x = c and y = b. They are also taught and required to find the equations of given straight lines. Their reactions to this form of instruction are discussed after each session. 5) In conclusion some thoughts are given on how computers can best be utilised in the school situation, with particular reference to the teaching of mathematics.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1986
- Authors: Van Hille, Gilles Ernst Willem
- Date: 1986
- Subjects: Mathematics -- Computer-assisted instruction Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Data processing Mathematics -- Study and teaching -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1844 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004382
- Description: Like many South African high school mathematics teachers I have followed the development of computers with interest and I have tried wherever possible to gain some experience on them. Thus when microcomputers became more readily available the mathematics department at our school, Graeme College in Grahamstown, motivated for the school to acquire this powerful new tool. The eventual outcome was that the Old Boys' Association donated to the school 3 BBC B microcomputers with monitors, a disc drive, a printer and two tape recorders. These have now been in the school for three years. The acquisition prompted this research project which takes the following form:- 1) An investigation into some of the uses of microcomputers in schools and, in particular, in the mathematics classroom. 2) A statement on the present position adopted by the Cape Education Department on the use of computers in schools. 3) A study of what the experience has been in other countries, particularly in Britain and the United States of America. 4) A description of an investigation which was undertaken at our school using the method of Action Research and Triangulation. Its aim was to investigate the feasibility of using a microcomputer to aid in the teaching of mathematics and the reaction of the pupils to this innovation. Three different approaches were implemented. a) The algorithmic approach: In this investigation a class of standard eight pupils were required, with the help of the teacher, to write, enter and test a short computer program which would solve any pair of simultaneous linear equations of the form, ax + by = c. Their reaction to this form of instruction was noted by myself and a non-participant observer. The pupils themselves were also asked to express their reactions, both verbally and by filling in a prepared questionnaire. Examples of worksheets, exam questions and analysed questionnaires are given in the appendix. Short programs which examine various other mathematical concepts are also listed and discussed. b) The audio-visual approach: In this case use was made of a graphs software package in which the computer would draw either a straight line, circle, parabola or hyperbola when the appropriate variables were entered. This package also includes a graph game facility where participants are required to find the equation of the graph which will pass through three given points. Points are awarded if the correct type of graph is chosen and the variables are entered within a certain time interval. The pupils involved in this investigation were standard eight higher grade mathematics pupils and their reaction to this form of instruction was again noted using the methods described in (a) above. c) Computer Aided Instruction: Here I was most fortunate to be able to make use of the Rhodes University PLATO Centre. This allowed me to take a class of eighteen standard eight higher grade mathematics pupils to the Centre. Here during four sessions, each of just over an hour, the pupils interacted with the software on the computer terminal. The software used was a set of five lessons written by Barbara Lederman of the Community College Maths Group, of the University of Illinois in 1976. The lessons give instruction and require the pupils to transform, plot and draw the graphs of linear equations of the form, ax + by + c = 0, x = c and y = b. They are also taught and required to find the equations of given straight lines. Their reactions to this form of instruction are discussed after each session. 5) In conclusion some thoughts are given on how computers can best be utilised in the school situation, with particular reference to the teaching of mathematics.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1986
An investigation into the possible causes of the difference between the boys' and girls' drop-out rate in mathematics at the end of the junior secondary phase of education
- Authors: Oberholster, E J
- Date: 1986
- Subjects: Mathematical ability , Gender , Mathematics teaching , Drop-out rate , Junior secondary
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1351 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001417
- Description: In the past two decades much research in the field of Mathematics in Education has dealt with boy- girl differences. In the 1960's sex differences in mathematical achievement played an important role in research. The results of more recent and better controlled studies seem to indicate that overall boy-girl differences in mathematical achievement are probably negligible at the Primary stage and exist at the Secondary stage principally in areas involving spatial visualization and problem solving.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1986
- Authors: Oberholster, E J
- Date: 1986
- Subjects: Mathematical ability , Gender , Mathematics teaching , Drop-out rate , Junior secondary
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1351 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001417
- Description: In the past two decades much research in the field of Mathematics in Education has dealt with boy- girl differences. In the 1960's sex differences in mathematical achievement played an important role in research. The results of more recent and better controlled studies seem to indicate that overall boy-girl differences in mathematical achievement are probably negligible at the Primary stage and exist at the Secondary stage principally in areas involving spatial visualization and problem solving.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1986
Conceptual difficulties in children's understanding of secondary school algebra in standards 6, 7, and 8 : (the application of the CSMS algebra test to a sample of South African school children)
- Authors: McMaster, David Jocelyn
- Date: 1986
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1355 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001421
- Description: The application of mathematical ways of thinking to nearly all the major fields of knowledge in recent times has increased the value of mathematics in society ... schools, therefore, are increasingly confronted with the task of developing to the maximum the mathematical abilities and interests of all its pupils with the view of meeting the needs of society. This includes an appreciation and understanding of the aesthetic and abstract qualities of mathematics as well as a knowledge of its utilitarian value in society. The question arises whether schools are achieving this? (Chapter 1, p. 3)
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1986
- Authors: McMaster, David Jocelyn
- Date: 1986
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1355 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001421
- Description: The application of mathematical ways of thinking to nearly all the major fields of knowledge in recent times has increased the value of mathematics in society ... schools, therefore, are increasingly confronted with the task of developing to the maximum the mathematical abilities and interests of all its pupils with the view of meeting the needs of society. This includes an appreciation and understanding of the aesthetic and abstract qualities of mathematics as well as a knowledge of its utilitarian value in society. The question arises whether schools are achieving this? (Chapter 1, p. 3)
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1986
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