Abstract:

Circle geometry is one aspect of geometry that many students in South Africa do not enjoy learn and are not motivated to learn. One possible reason for this is that this aspect of geometry was not part of the general school mathematics curriculum in the past. It was an optional part of the curriculum when majority of the teachers were trained so many of them find it difficult to teach.

Many studies have advocated the use of technology in mathematics teaching and learning mathematics to motivate students to learn mathematics and enhance their learning of mathematics concepts. This study investigated the effect of integrating GeoGebra software in the teaching of circle geometry on students’ motivation to learn and enjoyment of lesson.
GeoGebra is an interactive geometry, algebra, statistics and calculus application software, intended for teaching and learning mathematics and other sciences

This study is grounded on APOS theory which proposes that an individual has to have appropriate mental structures to make sense of a given mathematical concept. APOS theory describes how actions become interiorized into processes and then encapsulated as mental objects, which take place in more sophisticated cognitive schemas.
In this study, two groups were involved; experimental group of twenty two students taught using GeoGebra software in the school’s computer laboratory and the control group of twenty five students taught using the conventional teaching method (the chalk and talk method). Data were collected using a questionnaire that asked questions on the students’ enjoyment of the lessons and motivation to learn the topic.

The findings of this study revealed that the experimental group students were more motivated to learn circle geometry and enjoyed the lesson more than the control group students. The experimental group students recommended the use of GeoGebra in teaching the topic and other as aspects of mathematics. The implications of the findings to teaching and learning of geometry in South African schools are discussed and recommendations are made.

Keywords:

APOS theory, Circle Geometry, GeoGebra, South Africa.