An analysis of changing interests in mathematics and strategic thinking reflected in small group drawing activities using graphs and inequations : With Grafeq software

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to look at whether small group drawing activities can be applied to learning content that combine mathematics and art, by analyzing the changes in grade students' interests in mathematics and particular features of their strategic thinking that were reflected in small group drawing activities using graphs and inequations. The results of the study are as follows: 1. The small group drawing activity using graphs and inequations demonstrated that students interests in mathematics could experience positive changes. 2. The small group drawing activity using graphs and inequations was effective in stimulating the students' strategic thinking skills, which are higher level thinking activities necessary for creating problem solving. As the students went through the whole process of accomplishing a complete goal, the students engaged in integrated thinking activities that brought understandings of basic graphs and inequations together, and were also found to use such higher level thinking functions needed in achieving creative problem solving such as critical thinking, flexible thinking, development-oriented thinking, and inferential thinking. 3. The small group drawing activity using graphs and in equations could be expected to constitute learning content that integrate mathematics and art, and is an effective solution in boosting students' strengths in mathematics by way of activities that consider students' unique cognitive and qualitative peculiarities and through integration with art.