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Bridging the gap between the derivatives and graph sketching in calculus: an innovative game-based learning approach
Syah Runniza Ahmad Bakri1, Chin, Ying Liew2, Chee, Khium Chen3, Moi, Hua Tuh4, Siew, Ching Ling5.
Sketching the graph of mathematical functions using derivatives is a challenging task for
undergraduate students who enrol for the first level of calculus course. Before graph plotting, students are
required to perform a thorough function analysis using the concepts learned in differentiation. They are
then expected to solicit the results obtained to sketch the graph. Nevertheless, the students face great
difficulties in achieving this goal; and fail to relate the results obtained in the analysis and their
representation in a graph. Their performance is thus negatively affected eventually. To overcome this
cognitive gap, an innovative board game named Graph Puzzle (GP) is developed. It is intended to function
as a manipulator to facilitate students in comprehending the inter-related algebraic, symbolic, and graphic
representation of a function under the applications of derivatives, forming the corresponding procedural
and conceptual knowledge. To measure the effectiveness of this board game, 84 undergraduate students
who took this calculus course were given pre- and post-test before and after the learning session. An
ANCOVA test conducted reveals a significant difference (F (1, 81) = 12.182, p = 0.001) between pre and
post-test score in solving polynomial functions, whereas students’ performance in solving rational functions
indicates no meaningful difference (F (1, 81) = 0.04, p = 0.841) of post-scores between control and
treatment groups. From this standpoint, it is shown that GP has the potential to serve as a solution to the
difficulties faced on graph sketching in calculus, particularly when dealing with polynomial functions.
Affiliation:
- Universiti Teknologi MARA, Cawangan Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia, Malaysia
- Universiti Teknologi MARA, Cawangan Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia, Malaysia
- Universiti Teknologi MARA, Cawangan Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia, Malaysia
- Universiti Teknologi MARA, Cawangan Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia, Malaysia
- Universiti Teknologi MARA, Cawangan Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia, Malaysia
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Indexed by |
MyJurnal (2021) |
H-Index
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2 |
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0.000 |
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0 |
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Scopus 2020 |
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CiteScore (0.5) |
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Q4 (Education) |
Additional Information |
SJR (0.198) |
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