ERIC Number: EJ781043
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2007-Dec
Pages: 5
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1073-5836
EISSN: N/A
What's Your Angle on Angles?
Browning, Christine A.; Garza-Kling, Gina; Sundling, Elizabeth Hill
Teaching Children Mathematics, v14 n5 p283-287 Dec 2007
Although the nature of the research varies, as do concepts of angle, research in general supports the supposition that angle is a complex idea, best understood from a variety of perspectives. In fact, the concept of angle tends to be threefold, consisting of: (1) the traditional, static notion of two rays meeting at a common vertex; (2) the idea of an angle as the space between these two rays (angle as wedge); and (3) a more dynamic idea of angle as a representation of a turn. Trying to make sense of a more dynamic concept of angle requires a move beyond paper-and-pencil tasks, leading to technology as a useful aid. Thus, in an attempt to provide students with such opportunities, the authors of this paper developed activities that focus on angle and angle measure and that incorporate hands-on activities, graphing calculator applications, and computer software. For several years, these activities were implemented in a college geometry course designed for preservice elementary and middle school teachers, and have recently been implemented in a sixth-grade classroom. This article focuses on the outcomes of the research with the sixth-grade students, concentrating on what transpired as the students engaged in these activities and what concepts of angle evolved during and after their experiences. (Contains 3 figures.)
Descriptors: Geometry, Mathematics Instruction, Geometric Concepts, Educational Technology, Teaching Methods, Learning Activities, Graphing Calculators, Computer Software, Grade 6, Outcomes of Education, Educational Research
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. 1906 Association Drive, Reston, VA 20191-1502. Tel: 800-235-7566; Tel: 703-620-3702; Fax: 703-476-2970; e-mail: orders@nctm.org; Web site: http://www.nctm.org/publications/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Elementary Education; Grade 6
Audience: Teachers
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A