The Effects of a Mathematics History Lecture by a Mathematician on Elementary Mathematics Education

초등학생을 대상으로 한 '수학자 수학사 특강'의 학습효과

This study is to investigate the effects of a mathematics history lecture on elementary students' math learning. Pre- and post-tests were done for 33 6th grade students before and after 3-units of mathematics history lecture by a mathematician. The results show that the lecture improved students' interests and confidence on math. Especially, the tests present a positive change in students' attitudes on math and results in an increased curiosity on and willingness to study math. This study shows a consistent result with previous studies of teaming effects of introducing mathematics history in math. This study also highlights that even 3-units of math history lecture can significantly improve students' attitude and belief on math learning. Given the positive effects of math history lecture on students' math loaming, it is implicated that math history be included in the formal elementary math curriculum and more participation of math history experts in math.learning processes is needed.

본고에서는 수학사의 교수학적 의미를 살펴보고, 초등학교 6학년 학생에게 적합한 수학사 특강 자료 3차시(120분) 분량을 개발하여, 이를 수학자가 직접 학생들에게 강의함으로써 수학사 내용 및 수학자로 인해 학생들의 수학에 대한 태도에 어떤 변화가 일어나는지를 조사해 보았다. 그 결과 수학사 내용뿐만 아니라 수학자와의 만남도 학생들의 수학에 대한 태도 형성에 긍정적 효과를 주는 것으로 나타났다.