CARTESIAN PIRATES FOR TACKLING STUDENTS’ MISCONCEPTIONS AND ENHANCING GRAPH SKETCHING SKILLS AMONG MATRICULATION STUDENTS

Abstract

Graph sketching is an important aspect in Mathematics. Students are exposed to graph sketching from Form 1 and up until Form 5. However, many students who show lack of interest in carrying out graph sketching, struggle in sketching and display poor knowledge retention. Peperiksaan Semester Program Matrikulasi (PSPM) 2021/22 and 2022/23 examination reports cite students performing poorly in graph sketching. Hence to address the above issues, Cartesian Pirates are invented. Students will be allowed to explore graph sketching using a story-mode setting, discovering their misconception hence correcting and learning graphs at their own pace. Importantly, knowledge should be built as building blocks with game-setting mode, students are challenged to better themselves at graph-sketching skills. A target group of 14 students was identified and an intervention plan was devised using the Kemmis-McTaggart (1988) model. Cartesian Pirates product was utilised to create an engaging learning environment, fostering active student participation in graph sketching for these students. Data on students’ performance, like scores and post-test results were collected to measure the impact of Cartesian Pirates on students’ proficiency in sketching. Students’ emotions and feedback were reviewed through post-intervention discussion, obtaining qualitative insights on experience. It was observed that 14 students who were given intervention using Cartesian Pirates game displayed improved scores in post-test 1 displaying mastery of 80% score of graph sketching skill from 5 types of graphs given. Upon undergoing cycle 2, students displayed better scores in post-test 2 which was 90%. Qualitative feedback also indicated that students enjoyed more, remembered steps better and could avoid misconception which happened before the intervention.