Baye Mulat Gebeyehu, Ayele Mulugeta Atnafu, Wondimuneh Tadele Ejigu
Department of Mathematics Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia.
Department of Science & Mathematics Education, College of Education & Behavioral Studies, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia.
Heliyon. 2021 May 15;7(5):e07012. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e07012. eCollection 2021 May.
The notion of limit is one of the fundamental concepts which underpins advanced calculus of one or more variables in the field of analysis. However, understanding the concept of limit has been an impenetrable problem for many students in Ethiopian Universities. Only very few literatures were documented focusing on overcoming the difficulty of learning the concept of limit. For this reason, the overarching aim of the present study is to enhance students' conceptual understanding of limit by empowering their visualization skills using GeoGebra integrated with multi-teaching approaches. The study employed mixed methods experimental (intervention) design within an APOS paradigm. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected. Qualitative data was collected using students' reflections and interviews, whereas quantitative data was collected through pretest and posttest using diagnostic tests. The results of the qualitative data analysis revealed that the learning milieu created a positive impact on students' understanding of the concept of limit. Additionally, students provided coherent and viable reasons while making mental constructions and their coordination in the learning process based on the genetic decomposition grounded in APOS theory. Furthermore, the results of the quantitative (posttest) data analysis proved that students' mean scores on conceptual understanding of limit in the experimental group was significantly better than those in the control group. Thus, it could be possible to conclude that students' conceptual understanding of limit is improved using GeoGebra integrated with multi-teaching approaches within an APOS paradigm. The findings open a great opportunity to suggest technology integrated mathematics curriculums for the teaching and learning of mathematics.
极限的概念是支撑分析领域中一元或多元高等微积分的基本概念之一。然而,对于埃塞俄比亚大学的许多学生来说,理解极限的概念一直是一个难以攻克的问题。仅有极少数文献记录了如何克服学习极限概念的困难。因此,本研究的总体目标是通过运用结合多种教学方法的GeoGebra增强学生的可视化技能,从而提升他们对极限概念的理解。该研究在APOS范式内采用了混合方法实验(干预)设计。收集了定性和定量数据。定性数据通过学生的反思和访谈收集,而定量数据则通过使用诊断测试的前测和后测收集。定性数据分析的结果表明,学习环境对学生理解极限概念产生了积极影响。此外,学生在基于APOS理论的基因分解进行心理建构及其在学习过程中的协调时,给出了连贯且可行的理由。此外,定量(后测)数据分析的结果证明,实验组学生在极限概念理解方面的平均成绩显著优于对照组。因此,可以得出结论,在APOS范式内,运用结合多种教学方法的GeoGebra可以提高学生对极限概念的理解。这些发现为建议将技术整合到数学教学和学习的数学课程中提供了绝佳机会。