Sirje Pihlap defended her doctoral thesis "The impacts of the GeoGebra dynamic geometry program on the learning of functions in lower secondary school" at the University of Turku

The doctoral thesis explored how the dynamic geometry program GeoGebra can help lower secondary school students learn about functions, one of the most important yet challenging topics in mathematics. The results show that when GeoGebra is used together with traditional teaching, it makes learning mathematics more interesting and enjoyable for students. Many students reported that GeoGebra helped them understand lessons better and made it easier to connect function equations with their graphical representations. Although test results did not always show higher scores, students who used GeoGebra demonstrated deeper understanding of functions and more positive attitudes toward mathematics. The research provides new insights into how the GeoGebra program can support conceptual learning in mathematics. GeoGebra allows students to instantly see how changing coefficients in an equation affects the graph, helping them visualise and experiment with mathematical ideas. Creative tasks, such as designing patterns or animations with GeoGebra, also encouraged curiosity and engagement.

The findings suggest that GeoGebra, when used thoughtfully, can make mathematics more accessible and motivating. By combining traditional and digital learning, teachers can help students gain confidence, enjoy problem-solving, and see mathematics as a meaningful part of their everyday lives.