Van Hiele Geometric Thinking Levels of Pre-Service Teachers’ of E.P. College of Education, Bimbilla-Ghana

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to determine Pre- Service Teachers (PSTs) geometric thinking level in E.P. College of Education, Bimbilla using the Van Hiele’s Model. The study population was 473 level 200 PSTs comprising of science 82 (17.3%) and general programme 391 (82.7%). The sample for the study was level 200 General programme PSTs numbering 351(74.2%) of the population. The female sample was 133 (37.89%) while the male was 218 (62.11%)  Convenient and simple random sampling techniques were adopted in selecting the college and the general programme PSTs respectively. The research instruments used was the Van Hiele Geometry Test (VHGT). From the results, the lowest score of 3.0, highest score of 16.0 and a modal score of 8.0 were recorded. The mean and standard deviation scores were is 8.79 and 2.49 respectively. The analysis revealed that 131 (37.3%) did not reach any of the VHGT levels. Also, 114 (32.5 %), 73 (20.8%), 28 (8.0%) and 5 (1.4%) attained levels 1, 2 3 and 4 respectively. No PST reached level 5. The correct response percentage rate for the various VHGT levels are 56.5%, 48.9%, 36.2%, 21.7% and 15.7% for levels 1,2,3,4 and 5 respectively. Also, the overall correct response percentage rate for the entire 25 items is 35.8% It was recommended that tutors of colleges of education in Ghana should adopt practical approaches in teaching geometric concepts.

Keywords: Geometry, Pre-Service Teachers  (PSTs),  Van Hiele Geometry Test (VHGT)