• Journal of Elementary Mathematics Education in Korea
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.23-41
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• 2010

This research applies the climbing learning method that, a Japanese professor, Saito Noboru established and practiced, to fourth and sixth graders in an elementary school in order to analyze its effect on mathematical creativity, attitude toward mathematical creativity, so called CAS(Creative Attitude Scale) and academic achievement of the subject. The goal is to explore methods that can enhance students' mathematical creativity. To address these tasks, the research developed a teaching-learning scheme and learning structure chart that applies the climbing learning method. Next, the research organized two homogeneous groups among 124 students in fourth and sixth grades in S elementary school, located in the city of Busan. The experiment group went through classes that applied climbing learning method, while the control group received regular teaching. The following describes the research findings. After the experiment, the research conducted t-test for the independent sample based on the test result in terms of mathematical creativity, CAS and academic achievement of the subject. For mathematical creativity, all four constructing factor showed statistically significant differences at significance level of 5%. For CAS, statistically significant difference was revealed at significance level of 0.1%. However, in regard to a test of academic achievement for fourth and sixth graders, statistically significant difference was not detected at significance level of 5% even though the average score of the students in the experiment group was higher by 6 points. The research drew the following conclusion. Firstly, classes that apply climbing learning method can be more effective than regular classes in enhancing mathematical creativity of elementary school students. Secondly, the climbing learning method has positive impact on inclination for mathematical creativity of elementary school students. The research suggests that the climbing learning method can be an effective teaching-learning tool to improve students' mathematical creativity and inclination for mathematical creativity.

• Journal of Elementary Mathematics Education in Korea
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.177-197
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• 2007

This study discussed the climbing learning method which studied and practiced by Professor Saito Noboru. This is the learning method which is devised to know not only the relationship of the learning factors but the systemic or structural connection of whole studying contents- affects children's math learning ability through practical class to both the lower and the higher grades. To achieve the purpose of this study, these following issues were set; A. Develop the teaching and learning course of mathematics by applying the climbing learning method. B. Execute the mathematics lesson according to the climbing learning method and analyze the learning achievement. C. Analyze the difference between application of the climbing learning method and that of the learning method by student's level in mathematics. D. Analyze what the climbing learning method gives a shift of the recognition of learning mathematics. In order to accomplish these study issues, we analyzed the text book of math not only for children but also for teachers and developed the teaching and learning course applied the climbing learning method with advice of experts. It was chosen two different homogeneous groups each, third year for lower grade group and fifth year for higher grade group. It was done the experimental group lesson applying the climbing learning method and general lesson for the control group. After then, t-test against independent samples was done depending on the result of the student's assessment(T1, T2). These two groups' students were divided into smaller groups based on result of achievement level regardless of gender. These subgroups were confirmed the difference of learning ability between upper and lower level group. As regarding the result making out grades of faith and attitude for math, t-test was used on independent sample. At the same time, experimental groups were tested using learning attitude with the learning structure chart. Through this study the following results are obtained and the conclusion was drawn. Firstly, although applying the climbing learning method to the lesson does not have significant effect to the lower grade of elementary school student's achievement it has significant influence on the higher grade student's achievement. Second, as a result of analyzing the difference between the climbing learning method and the learning method by student's level in mathematics, it is of no beneficial effect to the lower grade both upper level and lower level. However, it has appreciable effect to the higher grade classes both upper level and low level. Especially, upper level students have higher effect than low level students. Third, climbing learning method does not affect to the faith and attitude of the lower grade students positively, but it has affirmative effect to the higher grade students'. As a result of the survey of the experimental groups which were applied to the climbing loaming method, the lesson by using the learning structure chart proved to be helpful to the both the lower and higher grade. The best advantage of using the learning structure chart, children say, is easily understood whole contents of studying and is useful for review. Furthermore, using the learning structure chart is more efficient compared with previous learning method and is given the successful result to self-directed learning. In conclusion, keeping up with the current of the thought of education, we suggest a scheme as a new teaching method from the constructive learning method which emphasize the self-directed learning.