Abstract
M.Ed.
It has become quite clear in recent times that media is expected to play
an active role in improving the learning - teaching process in school.
When the media is intergrated into a school lesson, the expectation is
created that it would bring about a renewal and improvement in the
teaching - learning process. A geometrical problem can be solved in a
logical manner, helping to expand and enrich the pupils point of
reference in Geometry.
In the learning process the teacher, pupil and learning content are
inextricably linked. It is in this process where media can, playing a very
important role, act as intermediate link between the elementary and the
fundamental. Furthermore, the media can be used to solve various
geometrical theorems and problems making it accessible, visual and
concrete. This would greatly benefit the Standard eight pupil.
There are specific problems which arise in Geometry. These problems
relate to certain skills, for example, discovery method, observation,
direct experience and verification. It is in this regard that the teacher
needs to be very selective in the choice of media, so that it encourages
the mastering of the content. Media promotes learning by involving both
hemispheres of the brain. By virtue of the subject, visual presentation in
Geometry makes learning easier. It is in this regard that models are the
most suitable medium due to the characteristics they posses.
A number of guidelines for planning a Geometry lesson for Standard
eight are suggested in this study. Recommendations are made
regarding the content of a lesson, the production of suitable models to
provide for the needs of teachers and pupils as well as the active
involvement of pupils in the production of models for Geometry. The empirical reseach has shown that models can serve as a medium
to unlock the learning content of Geometry to the pupil. This can be
done by concretising and presenting Geometry on a level which enables
the pupil to experience it's simplicity with optimal learning.
The important role of models in the daily life of every person makes
further reseach into the nature of symbol systems and how they
influence learning essential, so that every pupil may fully benefit from the
potential of models.