A study on the effectiveness of a technology supported approach in the teaching of mathematics — Using Geometers' Sketchpad (GSP)

Abstract

This study seeks to establish the effectiveness of Geometer's Sketchpad, a Dynamic Geometrical Software, in facilitating the teaching and learning of Mathematics, among technical schools students. A module was designed to utilize GSP in the teaching of a chosen Mathematics syllabus for final year secondary school namely Trigonometric Functions. Based on the research objectives, three tests were conducted to establish the effectiveness of GSP in mathematical skills attainment and the capability of GSP in increasing the retention of knowledge among students. As part of the study, a survey was also conducted through questionnaires and interview on the experimental group and the teacher to determine students' attitudes towards learning mathematics with technology. The empirical tests have indicated the effectiveness of GSP in the teaching of Mathematics through the substantial performance differences in favour of the experimental group. The results also shown that GSP has helped the students to better retained the knowledge taught. Some recommendations have been put forward to look into the findings which cater for the area of securing teachers' commitments, addressing potential misuse of ICT among students as well as better implementation and infrastructure approach for schools. This is in line with the needs identified in the national Education Blueprint 2013–2025 under leveraging ICT to scale up quality learning across Malaysia.