Analysis of Rural-Based Pre-Service Teachers Spatial-Visualisation Skills in Problem Solving in Vector Calculus Using MATLAB

Authors

  • Godfred Amevor University of Zululand
  • Anass Bayaga Nelson Mandela University South Africa
  • Michael J. Bosse Appalachian State University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3991/ijet.v16i10.19269

Keywords:

cognitive skills, problem-solving, Spatial visualisation, vector calculus, visu-al-analyser.

Abstract


In science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) for instance, interdisciplinary studies have noted positive correlation between spatial-visualization (SV skills) and mathematical problem solving. The majority of these studies sharing a link between SV skills and problem solving were contextualized in urban settings and only a few in rural settings. This investigation analyses how rural-based pre-service teachers apply their SV skills in problem-solving in a South African university, in the context of vector calculus. One hundred rural-based pre-service teachers in a second year vector calculus class at University of Zululand (UNIZULU) were randomly selected into control and experimental groups. MATLAB was used as a dynamic visual tool to analyse how research participants applied their SV skills. A mixed method approach was employed in data collection (quantitative and qualitative). Our findings revealed that the rural-based pre-service teachers’ SV skills correlate with their problem-solving skills in vector calculus.

Author Biographies

Godfred Amevor, University of Zululand

Researcher

Anass Bayaga, Nelson Mandela University South Africa

Associate professor Faculty of Education

Michael J. Bosse, Appalachian State University

Distinguished Professor of Mathematics Education and MELT Program Director Dept. of Mathematical Sciences, Appalachian State University, USA

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Published

2021-05-25

How to Cite

Amevor, G., Bayaga, A., & Bosse, M. J. (2021). Analysis of Rural-Based Pre-Service Teachers Spatial-Visualisation Skills in Problem Solving in Vector Calculus Using MATLAB. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning (iJET), 16(10), pp. 125–149. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijet.v16i10.19269

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Section

Papers