Lidija Jug, Osnovna šola Sladki Vrh

The article presents the research activity in which the students also use the tablet PC to explore geometric shapes by assembling parts of the tangram. Tangram is a centuries old Chinese puzzle, which consists of seven parts, which are basic geometric shapes. We put together various figures, in which we must use all seven pieces, which must not overlap. With mathematical logic games we deal at an optional subject called mathematical workshop. The introduction to the research was to make their own tangram by folding a sheet of paper, following the instructions. The challenge for us was to compose a triangle, a square, a rectangle, a parallelogram and a trapezium from the parts of the puzzle. We also set up a new rule for constructing, where was not necessary to use all seven parts. We proceeded with the task systematically: we started with one part of the puzzle, then we continued with two parts of the puzzle, then three parts, etc. and we were finding out what shapes, listed above, we can make. The emphasis was on the research: from how many parts certain shape is made. The students were using the tablet PC, where they were trying to find the solutions with the help of computer application Tangram (preinstalled on the tablet PC). Students found this kind of work interesting, some of them even met the game tangram, which allows many possibilities to explore, for the first time.

The use of ICT equipment is an important factor that contributes to improvement of the quality of teaching. For the teacher and for students, as well as, it represents a better, more interesting, faster, and in some cases, more concrete work in the classroom.