Primary Source
A Comparison of the Impact of Constructivist Teaching on Honors Level and College Preparatory Level Geometry Classes
| Title: | A Comparison of the Impact of Constructivist Teaching on Honors Level and College Preparatory Level Geometry Classes |
|---|---|
| Authors: | Chase, Alison W. |
| Document Type: | Manuscript |
| Physical Description: | 30 leaves : illustrations ; 29 cm |
| Supplemental Data: | System requirements: PC and World Wide Web browser. |
| Abstract: | The integration of constructivist instructional methods and activities into mathematics curricula has been shown to aid in student understanding of many topics. This study examined the use of constructivist instructional methods and activities, including the use of The Geometer's Sketchpad, a dynamic geometry construction and exploration tool. The purpose of this study was to determine whether constructivist instructional methods increased students' mathematical achievement in geometry at the college preparatory level and at the honors level. The sample was drawn from geometry classes at a public high school in Connecticut. The control group at the college preparatory level contained 50 students in two classes, while the treatment group at the college preparatory level contained 20 students in one class. The control group at the honors level contained 38 students in two classes, while the treatment group at the honors level contained 25 students in one class. The researcher taught all six classes used in the study. All college preparatory classes followed the same curriculum, used the same textbook, and took the same department-wide unit test on polygon properties. All honors classes followed the same curriculum, used the same textbooks, and took the same department-wide unit test on polygon properties. The college prep test scores for the unit on polygon properties were compared in order to establish that the college preparatory control group and college preparatory treatment group were statistically equivalent. The honors test scores for the unit test on polygon properties were also compared in order to establish that the honors control group and honors treatment group were statistically equivalent. During the study, student results were compared based on data collected from the unit test on circle properties. College preparatory test scores for the circle property unit were compared to previous college preparatory test scores for the circle property unit, and honors test scores for the circle property unit were compared to previous honors test scores for the circle property unit. The results of the study indicated that there was no statistical difference between the academic performance of the college preparatory control and treatment groups. The results of the study indicated that the honors level control group outperformed the honors level treatment group on the unit test on circle properties. The difference was statistically significant. The results of this study did not indicate that constructivist instructional methods increased student academic performance. Honors level student academic performance decreased during the study. |
| Subjects: | Constructivism (Education), High schools Honors courses., College preparation programs., Geometry Study and teaching (Secondary), Constructivisme (Éducation), Programmes d'études préuniversitaires., Géométrie Étude et enseignement (Secondaire), College preparation programs, Constructivism (Education), Geometry Study and teaching (Secondary), High schools Honors courses |
| Index Terms: | dissertations., Academic theses, Academic theses., Thèses et écrits académiques. |
| Note: | "Sumbitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Mathematics for Secondary Educators." Thesis advisor: Robin S. Kalder. Includes bibliographical references (leaf 19). Also available via the World Wide Web. |
| Other Numbers: | CTB 855912252 |
| Contributing Source: | From OAIster®, provided by the OCLC Cooperative. |
| Accession Number: | edsoai.ocn855912252 |
| Database: | OAIster |
| Description not available. |