An Exploration of Learners’ Understanding of Euclidean Geometric Concepts: A Case Study of Secondary Schools in the OR Tambo Inland District of the Eastern Cape

Abstract

A major concern in South Africa is the poor performance of learners in mathematics, particularly in geometry. This paper therefore sought to explore the learners’ understanding of Euclidean geometric concepts. The Van Hiele model was a useful framework for understanding the reasoning and challenges that students encounter with geometry. This study focused on 15 participants from rural South African schools, including 5 grade 10 mathematics learners in each of the three secondary schools and three teachers who are teaching mathematics in grade 10, in three secondary schools. Through face-to-face interviews, learners’ comprehension of geometry was qualitatively assessed. Pedagogical and methodological difficulties, lack of learners’ interest and comprehension of numerous geometrical concepts, as well as the absence of technology use, were found to contribute to the challenges in learning and teaching Euclidean geometry. The recommendations suggest that teachers should plan and prepare their geometry classes with the students’ understanding in mind that Euclidean geometry has been a cornerstone of mathematical education for centuries, teaching students critical thinking, problem-solving, and logical reasoning skills. This study adds to the existing literature on introducing new concepts in mathematics into the educational system of South Africa. Keywords: Geometry, Students’ Interest, Self-efficacy, Understanding, Three-Dimensional Shape