Understanding the Primary School Students’ van Hiele Levels of Geometry Thinking in Learning Shapes and Spaces: A Q-Methodology
Tong Hock Tan 1 * , Rohani Ahmad Tarmizi 1, Aida Suraya Md. Yunus 1, Ahmad Fauzi Mohd. Ayub 1
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1 Universiti Putra Malaysia* Corresponding Author

Abstract

Background:
This study was conducted using a new hybrid method of research which combined qualitative and quantitative designs to investigate the viewpoints of primary school students’ conceptual understanding in learning geometry from the aspect of shapes and spaces according to van Hiele theory.

Materials and methods:
Q methodology is used in this research to understand what factors (level) of geometry understanding in van Hiele theory contributed to the geometry learning of primary school children. It creating a concourse - Q set which was developed through a literature review and the statements were later refined by experts and then conducted to 30 participants aged 12 at a primary school. The respondents expressed their understanding through Q sorting, by ranking strategies according to their geometry understanding.

Results:
The results indicated that students’ van Hiele Levels of Geometry Thinking are at the factor (a) Level 1 - Analysis (or Descriptive); and factor (b) Level 0 – Recognition (or Visualization).

Conclusions:
This common outcome revealed that the students’ geometry understanding according to van Hiele theory is at the lower level. Significantly, the findings indicate that the deficiency of van Hiele Levels of Geometry Thinking appears to be global in nature, crossing the boundaries of educational practices and curriculum.

License

This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Article Type: Research Article

EURASIA J Math Sci Tech Ed, Volume 11, Issue 4, 2015, 793-802

https://doi.org/10.12973/eurasia.2015.1439a

Publication date: 25 Aug 2015

Article Views: 6469

Article Downloads: 3485

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