Determining fifth grade primary school students? understanding of symmetry using dynamic geometry software cabri geometry: An action research

The general aim of this study is to investigate fifth grade secondary school students? understanding of symmetry using Cabri Geometry software. Since the study aims at determining how the students construct the symmetry concept with the help of Cabri Geometry software, it is designed as an action research.The study was held with a total number of six students in the computer laboratory of a primary school in Eskisehir in 2006-2007 teaching year. The concept was tried to be given in a four-week-time. The data were collected with different research techniques; ?video recordings?, ?clinical interviews?, ?researcher diary?, and ?student diaries?. The analysis of the data was held in two stages; analysis at the stage of data collection, and analysis after data collection. In these stages, ?data reduction?, ?data display? and ?conclusion drawing and verification? phases by Miles and Huberman (1994) were taken as basis.As a result of this study, it is determined that in examining the concept and discovering the features related to the concepts the visualization and reflection of Cabri Geometry software including measurement, dragging, locus, and making symmetry related to the line was found to be used effectively, and it was also seen that the students made mathematical reasoning, connections and improved their own communication skills along with making up their own mathematical structures on various examples. Moreover, it was also observed that during the research period students made improvements in their verbal and written skills in the scope of communication skills. The visualization opportunities and the dynamic structure of Cabri Geometry helps students to improve their skills of making comparisons, doing associations and exploring the features related to concept. It was determined that students created strategies related to the concept they discovered and the application of that concept. It can be said that the Cabri Geometry has the quality that helps learners to be involved in private conditions related to the mathematical concept and to improve their basic knowledge and skills.