A REGIONAL SURVEY OF TAIWAN STUDENTS PERFORMANCE IN GEOMETRIC CONSTRUCTION

It is common knowledge that students encountered much difficulty in learning geometric construction. The purpose of this study is to find out the types of difficulties they actually have. A sample of 150 ninth graders' from the Taipei area was asked to work on a test instrument on geometric construction. Their performances were then analysed. It was found that some students did not know the rules imposed on the use of the straightedge and compass. In addition, not many students mastered the basic geometric construction procedures. Even if they did, some of them did not know why carrying out the construction steps would satisfy the requirement. They tended to be empiricists in this aspect. Furthermore, a group of arc drawers were identified and their behaviour studied. Educational implication from this study will be discussed to round up this paper.