Document Type : Original Research Paper
Authors
1 Teacher of Education
2 faculty member university of birjand
3 Deputy of Education at Farhangian University
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Research has shown that integrating technology into mathematics education through the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) model can enhance students' academic performance. GeoGebra, as a dynamic tool, facilitates the understanding of abstract geometric concepts and strengthens learning. However, challenges such as teachers' lack of skills, technical limitations, and unequal access to equipment have restricted the full utilization of this technology. In Iran, limited studies have explored the impact of TPACK and GeoGebra in elementary education, highlighting the research gap and the necessity of the present study. This study aimed to investigate the impact of a teaching method based on the TPACK model, using GeoGebra software, on the academic performance and learning experiences of fifth-grade elementary students in topics related to symmetry, perimeter, area, and volume.
Methods: This research was conducted using a sequential explanatory mixed-methods approach. The population consisted of fifth-grade female students in Bojnurd during the 2023-2024 academic year. Sixty students were matched and assigned to experimental and control groups (30 each). The quantitative tool was a researcher-made test with high reliability (Cronbach’s alpha > 0.9), and the qualitative tool was semi-structured interviews. The experimental group received 21 sessions of 40-minute instruction using GeoGebra and the TPACK model, while the control group was taught traditionally. Quantitative data were analyzed by Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) using SPSS, and qualitative data were examined through thematic analysis.
Findings: The quantitative findings, derived from a quasi-experimental design with pre-test and post-test, showed that GeoGebra-based instruction had a significant positive impact on students' academic performance across all four topics. The result of ANCOVA confirmed the superiority of the experimental group, with results for symmetry (F = 30.513, Sig < 0.05, partial η_p² = 0.349), area (F = 35.777, Sig < 0.05, partial η_p² = 0.390), volume (F = 23.254, Sig < 0.05, partial η_p² = 0.311), and perimeter (F = 24.094, Sig < 0.05, partial η_p² = 0.301). The qualitative findings, based on thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with 10 students from the experimental group, revealed themes including the visual and interactive appeal of GeoGebra, facilitation of geometric concept understanding, increased motivation, enhanced group collaboration, reduced math anxiety, and technical challenges. These results demonstrate the potential of TPACK and GeoGebra in improving elementary mathematics education, while also highlighting the need to address technical barriers.
Conclusion: This study, aimed at examining the impact of a TPACK-based teaching method using GeoGebra on the academic performance and learning experiences of fifth-grade elementary students in mathematics, demonstrated that this approach can serve as an effective strategy for enhancing the learning of mathematical concepts and strengthening students' cognitive and social skills. The overall findings indicate the high potential of this method in improving the quality of mathematics education and creating a dynamic learning environment. These results have significant implications for designing technology-based curricula and improving teaching methods in elementary education, contributing to the development of educational policies for integrating technology into classrooms. Limitations of the study include its focus on female students in a specific geographic area and the short duration of the educational intervention. Challenges included a lack of technological equipment in some schools, students' insufficient initial skills in using the software, and technical issues such as internet outages, which occasionally hindered the intervention. Future studies are recommended to explore the impact of this method across other grade levels and subjects. The findings can be utilized in developing technology-driven educational programs, designing teacher training workshops, and improving access to digital tools in the education system. This approach could be particularly effective in reducing educational inequalities and enhancing learning quality in underserved areas.
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COPYRIGHTS
© 2025 The Author(s). This is an open-access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/)
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