Exploring learners' understanding of trigonometric functions using GeoGebra software : a case of grade 11 Mathematics learners at a school in Tshwane South District

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the learners’ understanding of trigonometric functions using GeoGebra software. A qualitative case study approach was used with six Grade 11 learners at a school in Tshwane South District. The data were collected during a seven-day period using multiple methods: a diagnostic test, worksheets, a smart recorder, a trigonometric functions test, one-on-one interviews and focus-group discussions. The findings showed clearly that the use of GeoGebra enhanced Grade 11 learners’ understanding of trigonometric functions. The findings also showed that the use of GeoGebra helped the learners to understand the basic trigonometric functions graphs. This enabled them to sketch freely without using the point-by-point method. Based on this study, it is recommended that GeoGebra should be made available to all Grade 11 learners. This will encourage them use the software out of regular school hours.

Die doel van hierdie studiegids was om die leerder se kennis van die gebruik van GeoGebra sagteware, ten opsigte van trigonometriese funksies te ondersoek. ‘n Kwalitatiewe benadering is gevolg met ses Graad 11 leerders by ‘n skool in die Tshwane Suid Distrik. Die data is ingewin oor ‘n periode van sewe dae, deur gebruik te maak van verskeie metodes: ‘n diagnostiese toets, werkkaarte, ‘n “smart” opname, ‘n trigonometriese funksies toets, een-tot-een onderhoude en fokusgroepe waar besprekings plaasgevind het. Die data-analise wys duidelik dat die gebruik van GeoGebra, die Graad 11 leerders gehelp het om trigonometriese funksies beter te verstaan. Die uitkomste wys ook duidelik dat GeoGebra die leerders gehelp het met ‘n beter begrip van die basiese trigonometriese funksies. Dit het hulle gehelp om vryhand sketse te doen en nie noodwendig die punt-tot-punt metode nie. Gebaseer op hierdie studie beveel ons aan dat GeoGebra beskikbaar gemaak moet word aan aale Graad 11 leerders. Dit sal leerders motiveer om ook die sagteware op hulle eie buite skoolure te gebruik.

Injongo yocwaningo lolu bekuyikuhlola ukuzwisisa kwabantwana amagrafu e-trigonometry ma bewafunda nge softhiwe ye GeoGebra. Abantwana abayisithupha abakubanga letshumi lanye abaphuma kusigodi se Tshwane South babambiqhaza kulolucwaningo lwendlela ye ‘qualitative case study’. Imininingo iqoqwe kumalanga ayisikhombisa kusetshenziswa indlela ezilandelayo: ukuhlolwa kwe-diagnostic, amaphepha okusebenzela, isingxoxo zamunye ngamunye lezingxoxo leqembu. Iziphumo ezinkulu zikhombe ngokucacile ukuthi ukusetshenziswa kwesofthiwe yeGeoGebra kukhulise ukuzwisisa kwamagrafu e-trigonometry ngabafundi bebanga letshumi lanye.Iziphumo njalo zibonise ukuthi abafundi bazwisisa izinto eziyisiseko ngala magrafu ma bewafunda ngesofthiwe ye GeoGebra. Lokhu kunike abafundi amandla okudwebadweba lamagrafu ngokushesha ngokukhululeka. Kusekelwa ngalezi ziphumo, kunconyiwe ukuthi abafundi bafumane isofthiwe yeGeoGebra ngaso sonke isikhathi. Lokhu kuzabakhuthaza ukuthi basebenzise lesofthiwe noma bengaphandle kwesikolo.