The use of interdisciplinary approach in geometry teaching: The example of Arab-Islamic civilization

Abstract

TThis paper presents the important topic of using photographic images connected with tradition and art as enrichment items in geometry classes, on subjects relevant in the context of Arab-Islamic civilization. In addition, the study presents the use of photographic images (photographs) of mathematical objects in lessons on geometric thought, as a means of increasing students’ involvement and enhancing their learning experience. Examples of photographs taken from Arab-Islamic civilization are presented, suggested for being especially appropriate for teaching geometry to Arab students at an Arab teacher training college. The study involved 50 participants: Twenty-four teachers in the academic retraining program, to become mathematics and computer sciences teachers; 26 regular students in their fourth year, majoring in mathematics and computer sciences The teachers and students participated in the compulsory course: Arab-Islamic Civilization at an Arab teachers training college. This group was chosen since they are designated to become math teachers and serve as agents of change in schools. In this study we used a questionnaire with one version for both groups of participants – teachers in retraining and regular students in their fourth year of study in the teaching of mathematics and computer sciences. The first two question are intended to provide initial personal information (profession, and math teaching experience) and the Questions 3-13 are open questions providing information with regard to teachers’ and students’ positions on the study topic. At the end of the questionnaire, the participants were asked to make additional comments. The paper include a model of a mathematics lesson including a mathematical photograph connected with Arab-Islamic civilization and Examples of pictures and an example of a lesson plan designed in accordance with the proposed model. The analysis of the findings connected with the questions that appeared in the opinion questionnaire, and divided in to seven categories. The findings of this study indicate positive attitudes of teachers and students towards integration of teaching methods including the use of photographic images in teaching in general and geometry in particular. The study discussed in this paper may contribute to teachers’ and teacher cadets’ professional development in making geometry classes in the mathematics discipline more experiential, and thus reducing anxiety and fear of mathematics.

Keywords

• Arab-Islamic civilization
• Geometry teaching
• Interdisciplinary geometry
• Mathematic anxiety

Thanks

Thank you very much

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