A QUESTIONNAIRE FOR EVALUATING PUPILS’ COGNITIVE PATH ABOUT SYMMETRY AT PRIMARY SCHOOL

Abstract

The fundamental role of symmetry has to be more closely enhanced in the interplay between mathematics and physics to foster the teaching of the Nature of Science. In our presentation, we explore the positive effect of introducing the modern concept of symmetry viewed as “sameness within change”. A teaching-learning sequence (TLS) was conducted to test the challenges of an interdisciplinary approach based on symmetry and invariance in the educational context, namely at the primary school level. In the design of this sequence, solving the game of closing special cardboard boxes provides a fundamental role. The study evaluates how the specific teaching action makes the modern concept of symmetry in principle appropriate for primary school students through manipulative games. We investigate the students’ cognitive paths about symmetry during the sequence by analysing pre- and post-sequence questionnaires. The questionnaire comprises four questions with dichotomous choice, items text, narrative text, and open justification. It is structured mainly in three domains devoted to cognitive, affective, and psychomotor dimensions. The analysis is composed of a mixed method approach. The investigations incorporate qualitative data with Text Analytics and Natural Language Processing (NLP) statistics to identify and extract information from pupils’ written reflections. Our study also explores whether the emotion experienced by students plays a role in the TLS. Results show that educational activities induce the increasing knowledge and skills of students. In particular, most students interpreted the lessons as experiences rich in stimuli and insights on symmetry and mathematics in general. The findings also bring important suggestions and contents of reflection that teachers can consider for exploiting the potential learning path on symmetry and invariance.