Can Inactive Participation of Students and their Difficulties Bea Thing of the Past?

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Graphing is one of the activities in Mathematics which students find boring. Every time students see diagrams in examinations, they tend to leave them and proceed to the next items. They can either disregard that item or just guess what their answer will be. The low performance or inactive participation during a discussion about graphing has been a concern for the researcher. The result of the diagnostic test and periodical test showed annoying outcomes. This will, therefore, call for her more extensive effort and concern. This action research will be done to lessen the inactiveness of students in graphing Trigonometric Functions with the use of Geometer Sketch Pad (GSP).

METHODS

To improve the participation of the students and attend to their difficulties, questionnaires were given and tabulated. A questionnaire was used to ease the observation of the teacher. This was done after the lessons took place. Another questionnaire was given to the students. The purpose of using the questionnaire was to evaluate the students' attitude of using Geometer Sketch Pad (GSP) as the mode of the teaching and learning Graphs of Trigonometric Functions.

RESULTS

Small group discussions, brainstorming, preparation of activity sheets and use of uncomplicated vocabularies were some solution used. In small group discussions, students were able to express themselves, ask childish questions only students themselves could realize. Brainstorming also helped a lot in uncovering withheld criticisms and unusual ideas. They were able to share what they knew about the topic. During discussions, students could answer even in their simplest explanations and basic vocabularies. In general, the students commented positively about the result of using Geometer Sketch Pad as to their traditional and authentic assessments regarding the graphs of Trigonometric Functions.

DISCUSSIONS

Many thinks that this will only be applicable to Special Science Classes. The use of Geometer Sketch Pad (GSP) is highly recommended to regular students. This will help a lot in graphing Trigonometric Functions. It has many uses hence, will make students participate actively in classroom discussions. Further investigation on the impact of graphing other functions is highly recommended in the future.