Article by Eleonóra Stettner and Emese György
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Abstract:
Tamás Varga writes about the use of tools: “The rational use of tools – the colored bars, the Dienes set, the logical set, the geoboard, and some other tools – is an element of our experiment that is important for all students, but especially for disadvantaged learners” (Varga T. 1977). The range of tools that can be used well in teaching has grown significantly over the years. This paper compares spatial geometric modeling kits. Tamás Varga uses the possibilities of the Babylon building set available in Hungary in the 1970s, collects space and flat geometry problems for this (Varga T. 1973). Similarly, structured kits with significantly more options have been developed later, e.g. Zometool and 4D Frame. These tools are regularly used in the programs of Experience Workshop. Teachers, schools that have become familiar with the versatile possibilities of these sets, use them often in both optional and regular classes. We video recorded a lesson where secondary school students worked with the 4D Frame kit. We made some comments and offer some thoughts on this lesson.
