• Communications of Mathematical Education
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.121-144
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• 2024

This study analyzes how the academic achievement of students in Korea changes as they transition from 4th grade of elementary school to 2nd grade of middle school, considering that the 4th graders in the previous TIMSS cycle become 2nd graders in the next cycle. In particular, this study selects and compares the eight main countries in the TIMSS math evaluation (Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Japan, USA, UK, Australia, and Russia) to analyze the trend of change in academic achievement of Korean students according to school grade transition. The trend of change in academic achievement of students was analyzed not only overall but also by content area (number, geometry and measurement, data representation (data and probability/data and probability), gender, and regional scale. The analysis focused on the average score and the proportion of students by achievement level. The results of the study are as follows. First, there was no significant change in the average score of Korean students' academic achievement as the school grade transitioned, but the achievement gap widened in terms of the proportion by achievement level. Second, there were differences in students' academic achievement by content area according to school grade transition, and the pattern differed depending on the evaluation cycle. Third, there was a significant gap in students' math academic achievement depending on gender and regional scale of school location. This study reveals that the achievement gap among students in our country widens as they transition between school levels. The gap is found to vary in terms of achievement level, math content area, student gender, and school location. To alleviate these disparities, more substantial research and support are proposed in addition to policy implementation by the government or provincial offices of education.

• Journal of Elementary Mathematics Education in Korea
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.153-176
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• 2010

The purpose of this study is to rethink the importance of manipulative materials and to extract of manipulative materials program and its application methods. Activity, construction, and operation is stressed in the elementary mathematics. For this, various technological tools and manipulative materials is emphasized in mathematics teaching-learning methods. Applications of manipulative materials in the elementary mathematics is gradually increased together with curriculum revisions and textbook developments. As a result, tangram, geo-board etc., many tools ate introduces to school mathematics. This study is executed in this contexts. To achieve this, We introduce Australian 'Maths With Attitude' program. This program is composed of the primary level and secondary level. Each level consists of four domains - Number & Computation, Space & Logic, Chance & Measurement, Pattern & Algebra -, and each domains is made up of 20 tasks(i.e. manipulative materials) and programs. This study takes the focus to 5-6 grades programs in the mid of the primary level. First, We introduce 'Monkeys & Bananas'(Number & Computation) and 'Triangles & Colours' (Pattern & Algebra) tasks, and investigate the examples of lessons using these tasks. Second, We think the probability of these tasks' application and draw examples in the elementary mathematic textbooks. Through this works, We respect teaching-learning methods is rich and various in the elementary mathematics lessons.

• Journal of the International Relations & Interdisciplinary Education
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.85-111
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• 2024

Since the release of the 2000 PISA results, Finland's education has consistently been regarded as a competitor or benchmark for South Korea's educational system. However, recent indicators of division, opposition, and discontent within our educational sphere suggest a considerable departure from Finland's ethos of happiness in education. Against this backdrop, this study aims to analyze the trends in Finnish education-related research appearing in Korean academic journals. Utilizing network text analysis, we examined 160 papers indexed in RISS with titles containing "Finland" and "education". Key findings are as follows. Firstly, research on Finnish education has been steadily increasing, albeit showing recent signs of decline. Secondly, the majority of research topics were micro-level, with literature review-based methodologies predominating. Thirdly, a minority of researchers accounted for one-third of the total research output. Fourthly, countries compared with Finland predominantly included neoliberal states such as Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Singapore. Fifthly, research themes and subjects primarily focused on primary and secondary education, particularly in domains such as mathematics and science, influenced by PISA. Future research on Finnish education should transcend localized and fragmented areas of inquiry, undertaking comprehensive investigations into the processes and history of Finland's happiness-oriented education. Such endeavors are essential for deriving insights crucial for our learning. Particularly, consideration should be given to moving beyond literature-based methodologies, fostering international collaborative discussions facilitated online, and linking the Finnish education community with educators, parents, students, local councils, and governmental stakeholders to collectively discuss and research.