• Journal of Educational Research in Mathematics
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.333-357
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• 2007

One of the most important issues in mathematics education is to restore the educational foundation of school mathematics, which requires fundamental discussions about 'What are the reasons for teaching mathematics?'. This study begins with the problematic that mathematics education is generally pursued as an instrumental know-ledge, which is useful to solve everyday problems or develop scientific technology. This common notion cannot be overcome as long as the mathematics education is viewed as bringing up the learners' ability to work out practical problems. In this paper we discuss the value of mathematics education reflecting on the theory of 'two fold structure of mind'. And we examine the ideas pursued by mathematics educators analyzing the educational theory of Plato and Froebel. Furthermore, we review the mathematics educational theory of F. Klein, an educator who led the reformation of mathematics education in the early 20th century and established the basic modern philosophy and curriculum of mathematics education. In particular, reflecting on the 'two fold structure of mind,' we reexamine his mathematics educational theory in the aspect of the mind cultivation so as to elucidate his ideas more clearly. Moreover, for the more deep discussion about Klein's thoughts on the mathematics education, his viewpoint on tile teaching of 'functional thinking' for the mind cultivation is reexamined based on the research results found in the developments of mathematics education after Klein. As the result we show that under the current mathematics education, which regards mathematics as a practical tools for solving everyday problems and an essential device for developing science and technology, there is a more important value for cultivating the human mind, and argue that mathematics education should contribute to the mind cultivation by emphasizing such an educational value.

• Journal of Educational Research in Mathematics
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.137-156
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• 2008

This article discusses the purpose of mathematics education based on the epistemology of Michael Polanyi. According to Polanyi, studying is seeking after the truth and pursuing the reality. He opposes to separate humanity and knowledge on account that no knowledge possibly exists without its owners. He assumes tacit knowledge hidden under explicit knowledge. Tacit knowing is explained with the relation between focal awareness and subsidiary awareness. In the epistemology of Polanyi, teaching and learning of mathematics should aim for change of students' minds in whole pursuing the intellectual beauty, which can be brought about by the operation of their minds in whole. In other words, mathematics education should intend the cultivation of mind. This can be accomplished when students learn mathematical knowledge as his personal knowledge and obtain tacit mathematical knowledge.

• Journal of Educational Research in Mathematics
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.201-221
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• 2008

This study discusses how the humanity mathematics education can be realized in practice. The essence of mathematical concept is gradually disclosed revealing the ambiguities in the concept currently accepted and clarifying them. Historical development of mathematical concepts has progressed as such, exemplified with the group-theoretical thought and continuous function. In learning of mathematical concepts, thus, students have to recognize, reveal and clarify the ambiguities that intuitive and context-dependent definitions in school mathematics have. We present the process of improvement of definitions of a tangent and a polygon in school mathematics as examples. In the process, students may recognize the limitations of their thoughts and reform them with feelings of humility and satisfaction. Therefore this learning process would contribute to cultivating students' minds as the humanity mathematics education pursues.

• Journal of Educational Research in Mathematics
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.409-428
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• 2014

The purpose of this study is to examine the features of the curriculum of Chosun-Sanhak(朝鮮算學), the mathematics of Chosun Dynasty in the 17th to 18th century. The results of this study are as follows. First, the goal of education, teaching-learning method and assessment of Chosun-Sanhak in the 17th to 18th century had not changed since the 15th century. Second, the changes in the field of the organization of mathematical contents were observed. Chosun-Sanhak in that time was higher in the hierarchy than in the 15th to 16th century. The share of the equation and geometry had increased and various topics of mathematics had been studied as well. Third, in the field of the characteristics of mathematical contents, the influx of European mathematics and the uniqueness of Chosun-Sanhak had been observed. In conclusion, The 17th to 18th century was the time when Chosun-Sanhak had pursued the identity escaping from the effects of Chinese-Sanhak.