An Empirical Study to Investigate Visual Discrimination in Geometry

Abstract

Spatial abilities are considered as essential for solving complicated mathematical problems. The present study is aimed at investigating visual discrimination in geometry. The major objectives of the study were; (i) to investigate visual discrimination of students in geometry, (ii) to compare visual discrimination of public and private schools’ students, (iii) to compare visual discrimination of rural and urban schools’ students. On the basis of the above objectives, null hypotheses were developed and tested. A sample of 200 students studying Mathematics-9 in science group from sixteen schools were randomly selected to conduct the study. An empirical research design was used in the study. For data collection, five test items were developed and administered. Statistical techniques such as Mean, Standard Deviation, Welch’s t-test (Two-tailed) for unequal variances and ANOVA were applied to analyze the collected data. The study is significant for students, teachers, researchers and curriculum developers. The study concluded that; urban private schools’ students performed better than the other sampled students. It was recommended that the existing curriculum should be revised to enhance the visual discrimination of the students in geometry.