Teaching the surrounding area of the cylinder following an experiential learning approach

DOI: 10.18173/2354-1075.2021-0126

Abstract

Stemming from the new requirement related to experiential activities in the High School Mathematics Program 2018, we build and organize a teaching situation on the formula calculating the surrounding area of a cylinder, based on David A. Kolb's experiential learning model. Experimental results on 20 students of 9th grade show that students play a central role in constructing and applying the formula for calculating area, based on experiences and learning tasks designed in 4 phases: concrete experience, reflective observation, abstract conceptualization, active experimentation. The research opens up the possibility of applying Kolb's experiential learning theory in teaching abstract mathematical objects. At the same time, it provides an illustrative example to implement teaching activities and teacher training to meet the new program.