PERCEPTION OF MATHEMATICS TEACHERS AND STUDENTS ON THE IMPACT OF GEOMETRICAL CONSTRUCTION ON THE CREATIVITY SKILLS OF SS2 STUDENTS Obi, C.N., Monique Newen

PERCEPTION OF MATHEMATICS TEACHERS AND STUDENTS ON THE IMPACT OF GEOMETRICAL CONSTRUCTION ON THE CREATIVITY SKILLS OF SS2 STUDENTS

 

Obi, C.N., Monique Newen

Department of Science Education, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

And

 Ogboji B.A.

Department of Arts Education, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

 

Abstract

Despite the conscious effort by West African Examination Council (WAEC) to include questions on geometrical construction in their examinations every year due to the relevance of the topic in many spheres of life, very few students attempt questions on this topic. The study identified the perception of mathematics teachers and students on the impact of geometrical construction on the creativity skills of Senior Secondary two students (SS2) and its implications for sustainable development in Nsukka Education zone. The study was guided by two research questions and two hypotheses. A survey research design was adopted for the study. The population of the study was all the SS2 students numbering 2970 and mathematics teachers numbering 75 in Nsukka education Zone. A sample of 240 students and 8 mathematics teachers was randomly selected from three coeducation schools. The instrument used for data collection was a 20-item questionnaire. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the two research questions while t-test was used to test the null hypotheses at the 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed among others that geometrical construction enhances students’ divergent thinking.  The findings also indicated that both mathematics teachers and students did not differ significantly on their perception of the impact of geometrical construction and problem solving on the creativity skills of SS2 students. Consequently problem solving approaches employed in geometrical construction have a bearing on students’ creativity skills. The study recommended that teacher’s should tailor their approaches to cater for the transformation of the students and prepare them for the future as required in sustainable developmental goals.

 

Keywords: Perception, Geometrical construction, Acquisition, Skills, Creativity, Sustainable Development