Reflections from the Learning Environment Designed According to the Variation Theory: Congruent Triangles

Abstract

This article presents theoretical knowledge, sample activities, and reflections from the implementation process on how teachers can benefit from the Variation Theory to help students enhance their mathematical comprehension. In this context, "congruence of triangles" was conceptualized as an object of learning. Critical aspects were determined in order to help students discern dimensions of variations of congruence of triangles. In order to develop awareness in students about the critical aspects, learning tasks including patterns of variance and invariance in accordance with the Variation Theory were designed. The activity was implemented in 2020-2021 academic year by a volunteer mathematics teacher under the guidance of the researcher in distance education. Seven volunteer 8^th grade students enrolled in a secondary school in Giresun participated in the study. Data analysis revealed that the activity designed based on the Variation Theory was effective in helping students discern the critical aspects of the congruence of triangles.