Design and Implementation of a Learning Task for the Study of Sine and Cosine Functions, Mejía Farid, Prof. Agustín Rodríguez, Prof. Edis Figueroa, Prof. Luisa Maure
Mejía Bolio Farid
Hidalgo State High School, Community Teleworking
Mexico
ORCID: 0009-0004-7038-7105
Professor Agustín Alfredo Torres Rodríguez
Academic Area of Mathematics and Physics, Autonomous University of the State of Hidalgo
Department of Basic Sciences, National Technological Institute of Mexico
Technological Institute of Atitalaquia
Mexico
ORCID: 0000-0001-9112-3070
Professor Edis Alberto Flores Figueroa
Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Technology
Universidad de Panama
Panama
ORCID: 0000-0002-1217-6172
Professor Luisa Morales-Maure
Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Technology
Universidad de Panama
Miembro del Sistema Nacional de Investigación (SNI-SENACYT)
Panama
ORCID: 0000-0003-3905-9002
Type of Paper: Research
Received: 21 November 2024 / Revised: 6 December 2024 / Accepted: 12 November 2024 / Published: 30 December 2024
DOI: 10.47556/J.WJEMSD.20.3-4.2024.3
Purpose: This research aims to design and implement a Mathematical Learning Task (MLT) to teach trigonometric functions, specifically sine and cosine, to first-year high school students. It addresses difficulties in teaching and learning these concepts, particularly due to the dichotomous tradition of teaching them either as ratios in right triangles or as functions of a real variable.
Design/Methodology/Approach: The study involved the development of a learning task that incorporated a physical manipulative, followed by a comparison of traditional pencil-and-paper methods with digital tools. The task focused on promoting activities such as pattern identification, conjecture formulation, and result communication, all essential for deepening students' understanding of mathematical concepts.
Findings: The results showed an increase in student interest and a better understanding of key ideas and concepts related to trigonometric functions. Additionally, an evaluation rubric was developed based on the cognitive demand of the tasks, which helped assess the depth of student engagement and comprehension.
Research Limitations/Implications: While the findings are promising, further studies are needed to explore the long-term impact of such tasks on students' overall understanding of trigonometry and their ability to apply these concepts in different contexts.
Original/Value Of The Paper: This study contributes to the teaching of trigonometry by highlighting an innovative approach that blends traditional and digital methods, offering a more engaging and comprehensive way to teach complex mathematical functions to high school students.
Practical Implications: The findings suggest that integrating physical manipulatives with digital tools can enhance student learning, providing teachers with a new approach to improving students' understanding of trigonometric functions.
Keywords: Mathematical Learning Tasks; Sine and Cosine Functions; Cognitive Demand; Digital Tools.
Citation: Bolio, F.M., Torres Rodríguez, A.A., Flores Figueroa, E.A. and Morales Maure, L. (2024): Design and Implementation of a Learning Task for the Study of Sine and Cosine Functions. World Journal of Entrepreneurship, Management and Sustainable Development, Vol. 20, Nos 3-4, pp.229-245.
