On the basis of the information given in the statement, which of the following teaching strategy gives first-hand experience to the learner to construct mathematical knowledge ?
Statement: A teacher wants to teach the concept that sum of the angles in a quadrilateral is 360°.
Teaching strategies:
A. Teacher draws a quadrilateral on blackboard and measures its angles using protractor and shows that sum of the angles is equal to 360°.
B. Teacher draws a quadrilateral on a piece of paper and draws its diagonal to divide it in to two triangles. He uses angle sum property of triangles to show that sum of the angles of a quadrilateral is 360°.
C. Teacher asks students to construct various types of quadrilaterals on a piece of paper and measure their interior angles and find out the sum of the angles in each type of quadrilateral.
Choose the correct option :

Correct option is B

Constructivist teaching is a strategy that emphasizes hands-on, experiential learning to help learners construct mathematical knowledge.

Option C provides students with a first-hand experience that allows them to construct mathematical knowledge independently. By actively constructing various quadrilaterals, measuring their angles, and calculating the sum, students are engaging in a hands-on activity that encourages exploration and discovery. This experiential approach helps learners observe patterns and draw their own conclusions about the angle sum property of quadrilaterals. This strategy aligns with the constructivist approach, where students build knowledge through direct interaction with mathematical concepts.

Options A and B do not offer the same level of hands-on involvement. While both may demonstrate the concept, they are more teacher-centered and do not provide students with the same opportunity to actively explore and validate the property for themselves.

Additional Information:

1. Active Learning: Hands-on activities engage students more deeply, fostering a stronger understanding of mathematical concepts.
2. Discovery-Based Approach: When students explore and observe patterns themselves, they are more likely to remember and understand the concept.
3. Critical Thinking Development: Measuring and summing angles in various quadrilaterals helps students build reasoning skills as they make connections between their observations.
4. Ownership of Learning: Allowing students to experiment and draw conclusions makes learning more meaningful and memorable.

Information Booster:

1. Constructivist Learning: Direct involvement helps students “construct” their understanding, as suggested by educational theories like Piaget’s constructivism.
2. Enhanced Retention: Experiential learning helps students retain mathematical concepts more effectively.
3. Learning through Patterns: Observing that the sum of angles in different quadrilaterals is consistently 360° reinforces the general rule.
4. Application of Tools: Using a protractor to measure angles helps develop practical skills and improves spatial understanding.
5. Adaptability for Various Learners: Such strategies are beneficial for visual, kinesthetic, and experiential learners.

Key Points for Understanding:

• Hands-on learning through construction and measurement is the most effective strategy for concept building.
• Student-centered activities lead to deeper conceptual understanding.
• Constructivist Approach: Learners actively participate in discovering mathematical rules.