IMPACT OF USING GEOGEBRA SOFTWARE IN TEACHING AND LEARNING RIGID MOTION ON SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN GHANA

ABSTRACT 

GeoGebra  is  a  free  computer  application  software that  provides  an  algebra  view, geometry view, spreadsheet view and an input bar. This study looked at if this instructional tool can  be  used  to  enhance  the  teaching and learning  of  rigid motion  in  senior high  schools  in Ghana. The objectives of this study were to assess the applicability of GeoGebra in the teaching and learning of mathematics in secondary schools in Ghana. The difference in performance of students when taught using the traditional method and when taught with the help of this innovation was the main objective of the study. However, the students’ problem in answering rigid motion questions and their views about the use of the innovation was also assessed before and after the intervention respectively. The  design  adopted  for  this  study  was a  mixed methods  design  of  qualitative and  quantitative  approaches.  The instruments for data collection were test items and interview. The  independent  variable  in  this  study  was the  uptake  of technology  in  this  case GeoGebra in  the  teaching  of  mathematics, while  dependent  variable  is  the achievement of  students  in  rigid motion. The population was the students in the New Juaben Senior High School. The data obtained was analyzed with the help of descriptive and inferential statistics for the uptake of technology. The study found out that uptake of technology was slow at the early adopter’s stage of adoption among mathematics teachers. Further, there was a clear indication that GeoGebra would help improve the students’ understanding of concepts in mathematics and hence improve performance. The study concludes that GeoGebra is useful  in  improving  performance  of  secondary  school  students  in  rigid motion if  teachers are well trained using the guides indicated in this study. It also developed a prototype GeoGebra manual for Ghanaian mathematics teachers using GeoGebra.  The  study  recommends  that GeoGebra  be  used  in  teaching and learning of rigid motion  in  Ghanaian  secondary  schools. The  findings  of this  study  will  be  useful  to  scholars of Mathematics  Education, Mathematics  teachers,  students  and  the  schools  administration.