Effectiveness of SpinGebra: A drill for Mastering Fundamental Operations on Algebraic Expressions in One Variable

Abstract

Introduction: According to Amazing Global App (2022), Spin the Wheel is a common game or decision-making mechanism in which a wheel is rotated and a pointer is used to randomly select a value or outcome from a set of possible options. This game can be a fun alternative to the traditional approach used by teachers typically in solving mathematics.  The game SpinGebra was developed based on the concept of monomial algebraic expressions in one variable. The name SpinGebra combines "spin" and "algebra," reflecting its purpose. The study aimed to master fundamental operations related to monomial algebraic expressions and observed the integration of the Cartesian coordinate system in assigning signs to terms based on quadrants. 

Objectives: The main thrust of this study was to introduce SpinGebra and determine the effectiveness of the SpinGebra as a drill in mastering the fundamental operations on monomial algebraic expressions in one variable of the Grade 8 students of Dr. Cecilio Putong National High School for the School Year 2023 – 2024. Specifically, it aimed to determine the pretest and posttest performances of the control and experimental groups.

Methods: This study used Two a group pre-test-posttest design. The questionnaire had undergone pilot testing and item analysis. Then, it was administered to both groups before and after exposure to Flashcard Drill (control) and SpinGebra Drill (experimental). Each group has 45 respondents which was formed by matching the obtained scores during the pretest. The control group was exposed to Flashcard Drill while the experimental group was exposed to SpinGebra Drill. The gathered data were analyzed and interpreted using the arithmetic mean. The result shows that there was a significant difference between the posttest performance of both groups.

Results: A drill for mastering fundamental operations on algebraic expressions in one variable can be done using the idea of Spin Wheel divided into four quadrants where the signs of the four quadrants are considered in performing operations of algebraic expressions wherever the spin stops. It was revealed that both groups got an average of  8.93 categorized as Fair in their pre-test scores but in the post -test scores, SpinGebra Drill group attained excellent scores  compared to the Flash card Drill group which obtained the score that is Very Satisfactory.  Further, the difference between the pre-test and post-test scores of each group were significant. It showed that the students from the control group who were exposed to Flashcard Drill and the students from the experimental group who were exposed to SpinGebra Drill had progress in their performance in solving fundamental operations on monomial algebraic expression in one variable.

Conclusions: The researchers concluded that the SpinGebra Drill is an effective drill for mastering monomial algebraic expressions in one variable compared to the traditional flash card drill. The change of learning that students can get from the SpinGebra drill is higher than that of the Flash card Drill. The mathematics teachers may use the SpinGebra Drill to catch the students’ interest and have better learning outcomes. It can be an alternative to the traditional drill of mastering the fundamental operations on monomial algebraic expression. Future researchers may conduct a parallel study to further verify the effectiveness of SpinGebra as a drill.