Investigating Geometric Habits of Mind by Using Paper Folding

Abstract

Paper folding studies are quite effective in the development of students' visual and spatial skills. The "paper" used in these studies is a genuine tool that can support the development of geometric habits of mind as well as the visual-spatial skills. This is an action research aimed to investigate the potential of paper folding to improve students' geometric thinking skills and to enhance their achievement in national exams. The improvement in their geometric thinking was investigated based on the framework of the Geometric Habits of Mind. This study was carried out with three students studying in the 11th grade. Four geometry questions were asked to students, and they were expected to solve these questions by paper folding. The solution process was videorecorded. Video-recordings were transcribed, and the obtained data were qualitatively analyzed within the framework of the components of the geometric habits of mind. As a result of the study, it was seen that the students were able to reach solutions more easily by concretizing the intangible questions through paper folding. The students were able to comprehend the fact that the main components of triangles don't change; that is, they are preserved (the angles and the sides do not change).