Submission Type
Event
Expected Graduation Date
2015
Location
State Farm Hall, Illinois Wesleyan University
Start Date
4-18-2015 9:00 AM
End Date
4-18-2015 10:00 AM
Abstract
The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) has advocated the use of manipulatives since 1940 (Hartshorn & Boren, 2005). Traditionally, however, hands-on activities and manipulatives are rarely seen in the high school mathematics classroom. Valuing the importance of student-centered learning, this study was implemented in two geometry classrooms in a rural high school with the goal to explore the impact of hands-on activities on student engagement. Lesson plans, teacher reflections, and student work samples were collected throughout the study. These data sources, along with student questionnaires, were content analyzed in order to uncover emerging themes that characterize student-centered learning experiences. Findings indicate that engaging students in these hands-on activities positively impact their mathematical understanding and participation in exploratory and collaborative mathematics learning environment.
Engaging HS Geometry Students Through Student-Centered Activities
State Farm Hall, Illinois Wesleyan University
The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) has advocated the use of manipulatives since 1940 (Hartshorn & Boren, 2005). Traditionally, however, hands-on activities and manipulatives are rarely seen in the high school mathematics classroom. Valuing the importance of student-centered learning, this study was implemented in two geometry classrooms in a rural high school with the goal to explore the impact of hands-on activities on student engagement. Lesson plans, teacher reflections, and student work samples were collected throughout the study. These data sources, along with student questionnaires, were content analyzed in order to uncover emerging themes that characterize student-centered learning experiences. Findings indicate that engaging students in these hands-on activities positively impact their mathematical understanding and participation in exploratory and collaborative mathematics learning environment.