Linking diversity in learning Geometry: Exploring tessellation in techno-based mathematical tasks

Abstract

Nowadays, digital technologies are crucial in supporting students in geometry in secondary mathematics classrooms. However, in some cases, the role of visual function in technology was only utilized for seeing and conjecturing, not for experimenting, while to develop a relational understanding of geometry concepts, students should actively participate in the learning process. To address the issue, this study investigated how students learn geometry with digital technology assistance based on students' diversity in their mathematics abilities. A task with a dynamic geometry software called Techno-based Mathematical Tasks (TbMT) was designed to assist students in exploring geometrical activities and solving a problem through investigations on tessellation. This research employs educational design research and focuses on the preliminary design by conducting a pilot study on three students based on the diversity in their ability in mathematics classrooms, i.e., low, middle, and high. As part of data collection, we captured students' works to examine critical information in their responses based on their differences in abilities. We collected the data through online meetings and recorded the data. We analyzed students' work from the recording by capturing critical information. The results revealed that the TbMT might provide students with opportunities to learn by exploring tessellation activities that might contribute to students' understanding of geometry concepts. Due to the limited number of participants in this study, further research can be an opportunity to expand the number of participants to enhance the contribution to the literature with more comprehensive empirical evidence.