Comparative evaluation of the level of geometric reasoning of ninth grade girls and boys based on the Van Hiele theory

The purpose of the present study was to study the level of learning of geometric reasoning in 9th grade students based on Van Hiele -theory in one of the topics of geometry, namely the topic of reasoning and proof in geometry and their properties. This study was conducted by survey method. The statistical population consisted of all 9th grade students of Babol public schools and the sample consisted of 470 people who were selected by random cluster sampling method. The measuring tool was a researcher-made test with 10 questions. The face and content validity of the test was confirmed by a number of mathematics and mathematics education professors as well as by some experienced junior school teachers. Descriptive and inferential statistics (T-test) were used for data analysis. The findings indicate that the dominant level of geometric thinking of the ninth grade students in the field of reasoning is at the first level. Also, boys performed better than girls in first level of Van Hiele. The results of t-test showed that this difference was statistically significant. The findings of this study can be used in reviewing the geometry education process by mathematics teachers, educational policy makers, and textbook authors.