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International Journal of Engineering & Technology, 7 (4.1) (2018) 76-80
International Journal of Engineering & Technology
Website: www.sciencepubco.com/index.php/IJET
Research paperer
Teaching of Angle of Elevation by Integrating Angle
Measurement in Ancient Egyptian Mathematics
Steffan-Mae Juquiana*, John Carlo Padua, Herminia Ilao, Joan Simangan, Levi Esteban Elipane
De La Salle University, Philippines
*Corresponding author E-mail:steffan-mae_juquiana@dlsu.edu.ph
Abstract
The aim of this study is to stimulate reflections and determine the effects of teaching mathematics by integrating its history through Lesson
Study. Lesson Study was utilized as a process to delve into the possible outcomes of incorporating history of mathematics in teaching angle
of elevation to 15 freshmen college students taking BS Air Transportation. The researchers followed the three steps in conducting a Lesson
Study; planning, implementing, and conducting the post-lesson discussion. The implementation of the lesson and the post-lesson discussion
were video and audio recorded which later on transcribed. Three issues in attaining the objectives of the lesson were identified: (1) Being
Able to Set-up the Condition and Being Clear with the Instructions (2) Being Realistic with Examples, and (3) Importance of Processing
Methodologies, which greatly play an important share on maximizing the learning process and students’ success. Furthermore, feedbacks
from the observers and students suggests that using history of mathematics enhanced students’ curiosity about the significance of the lesson
in real life. This study may contribute to the advancements of innovative teaching strategies to the rest of educators and researchers.
Keywords: Ancient Egyptian; Angle of elevation; Angle measurement device; History of mathematics; Lesson study.
1. Introduction
Today, students require stronger mathematical knowledge, skills
and values to pursue higher education, to compete and be part of
the technologically oriented workforce and to be an informed citi-
zen [1]. As students in the 21
st
century become more diverse in
terms of students' educational needs [2], teachers are expected to
respond to these needs as their learning approach is different to
those of the previous generations [3].
Lesson study is considered as one of the effective tools in improv-
ing students’ achievement in both basic and higher education. It is
a professional development model in which teachers aim to im-
prove their teaching methods by working with other teachers to ex-
amine and critique ones’ teaching technique and strategy [4, 5].
Teaching mathematics by integrating its history have many benefits
for the teachers and students. According to Fauvel [6] and Swetz
[7], integrating the history of mathematics can motivate students in
learning mathematics. It can also improve students’ problem- solv-
ing skills, ensure that students learn mathematical concepts mean-
ingfully, and help them connect mathematics to other discipline [8].
Most importantly, it allows students to relate mathematics with the
society [9].
In the mathematics framework proposed by SEI-DOST and
MATHTED [1] of the Philippines, one of its goals is for students
appreciate the cultural value of mathematics and origin, history, and
how mathematics continue to evolve. In the current curriculum of
the tertiary level, one course that students need to take is Mathemat-
ics in the Modern World. It revolves around the nature of mathe-
matics and using math as tool, in which a glimpse of the history of
mathematics was included. Hence, the aim of this paper is to pro-
vide students a different perspective in learning angles of elevation
in relation to its history. Moreover, this paper intends to stimulate
reflections on how to teach angle of elevation by using its history
as tool and a goal.
2. Background of the Study
Diversity of learners has been one of the major challenges in the
Philippine educational system. With this being said, there were at-
tempts to improve the kind of learning system that we have. Ac-
cording to Gisela and David Slavit [10], in order to combat the di-
versities inside the Filipino classroom, a facilitator must consider
the students’ perspectives, understandings, and practices in mathe-
matics towards the lesson. This is very similar to the root of lesson
study in Japan. Japanese lesson study has been a popular profes-
sional development approach in recent years. This object lesson
method is based on Pestalozzian theory, according to which teach-
ing should start from observation of objects that helps students rec-
ognize the concepts through their intuition. Meanwhile, a study by
Wilson and Chauvot [9] revealed that history of mathematics has
much to contribute in the improvement of teaching and learning of
mathematics. Hence, it can become a tool for effective teaching.
This is why the researchers came up with the idea of combining
these two findings towards innovating the teaching-learning pro-
cess of Mathematics education.
3. Methodology
The researchers, together with their professor, cooperated in plan-
ning, designing, and implementing the Lesson Study. The partici-
pants of this study were 15 first year college students taking up
Bachelor of Science in Air Transportation at Philippine State Col-
lege of Aeronautics. This study argues the importance and effec-
tiveness of the integration of history of mathematics in teaching and