Study of Van Hiele levels of reasoning in students from vulnerable secondary schools in Chile

Abstract

We present results of a research aimed at improving the learning of geometry and the acquisition of mathematical reasoning skills of students in 2nd year of secondary education in vulnerable centres of Chile. We have designed a teaching experiment, with experimental and control groups, based on a teaching unit, designed according to the Van Hiele levels and phases, and a pretest and postest, to assess the change in students’ Van Hiele level of reasoning after the intervention. The results show a significant difference, in favour of the experimental group, in the development of students’ level of reasoning.