ERIC Number: EJ748726
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2006-Apr
Pages: 37
Abstractor: Author
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ISSN: ISSN-1382-3892
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Challenging Students to View the Concept of Area in Triangles in a Broad Context: Exploiting the Features of Cabri-II
Kordaki, Maria; Balomenou, Athanasia
International Journal of Computers for Mathematical Learning, v11 n1 p99-135 Apr 2006
This study focuses on the constructions in terms of area and perimeter in equivalent triangles developed by students aged 12-15 years-old, using the tools provided by Cabri-Geometry II [Labore (1990). "Cabri-Geometry (software)," Universite de Grenoble]. Twenty-five students participated in a learning experiment where they were asked to construct: (a) pairs of equivalent triangles "in as many ways as possible" and to study their area and their perimeter using any of the tools provided and (b) "any possible sequence of modifications of an original triangle into other equivalent ones." As regards the concept of area and in contrast to a paper and pencil environment, Cabri provided students with different and potential opportunities in terms of: (a) means of construction, (b) control, (c) variety of representations and (d) linking representations, by exploiting its capability for continuous modifications. By exploiting these opportunities in the context of the given open tasks, students were helped by the tools provided to develop a broader view of the concept of area than the typical view they would construct in a typical paper and pencil environment.
Descriptors: Geometric Concepts, Thinking Skills, Geometry, Problem Solving, Mathematics Activities, Mathematical Enrichment, Computer Assisted Instruction, Early Adolescents
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
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Language: English
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