• Education of Primary School Mathematics
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.1-18
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• 2016

Patterns are of great significance to develop algebraic thinking of elementary students. This study analyzed teaching methods of patterns in current elementary mathematics textbook series in terms of three main activities related to pattern generalization (i.e., analyzing the structure of patterns, investigating the relationship between two variables, and reasoning and representing the generalized rules). The results of this study showed that such activities to analyze the structure of patterns are not explicitly considered in the textbooks, whereas those to explore the relationship between two variables in a pattern are emphasized throughout all grade levels using function table. The activities to reason and represent the generalized rules of patterns are dealt in a way both for lower grade students to use informal representations and for upper grade students to employ formal representations with expressions or symbols. The results of this study also illustrated that patterns in the textbooks are treated rather as a separate strand than as something connected to other content strands. This paper closes with several implications to teach patterns in a way to foster early algebraic thinking of elementary school students.

• Journal of Elementary Mathematics Education in Korea
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.43-64
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• 2010

This study aimed to foster the learning abilities of mathematics, that is, along with the formation of a sure mathematical concept, extending the powers of doing mathematics, and bringing the creativities for 3rd grade elementary school children. In order to achieve these objects, we have executed mathematical classes for two consecutive hours of 16 times using the teaching model of [Learning contents in textbook]$\rightarrow$[The first problem Posing]$\rightarrow$[Problem solving to childrens' posing some problems]$\rightarrow$[Advanced problem posing] to 3rd grade school children during the first semester of 2009. In this paper, we analyzed problems that are made by children focusing on the four fundamental rules +, -, ${\times}$, $\div$ of arithmetic, with the view points of problem's completion, fluencies, flexibilities, buildings of concept, originalities and using materials. As a result of the comparative analysis of the first problems and advanced problems made by the children, the first problems were revealed to be rather better in of problem's completion and fluencies. And the flexibilities were improved in the division and multiplication classes carried on. Setting up the experimental and comparative class, we compared to the scholastic achievement of two classes for the beginning and end in the first semester. In the result, the former was improved in the scholastic achievement more than the latter.

• Journal of Elementary Mathematics Education in Korea
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.105-122
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• 2014

In this paper, fraction division algorithms in Korean elementary mathematics textbooks are analyzed as a part of the groundwork to improve teaching methods for fraction division algorithms. There are seemingly six fraction division algorithms in ${\ll}Math\;5-2{\gg}$, ${\ll}Math\;6-1{\gg}$ textbooks according to the 2006 curriculum. Four of them are standard algorithms which show the multiplication by the reciprocal of the divisors modally. Two non-standard algorithms are independent algorithms, and they have weakness in that the integration to the algorithms 8 is not easy. There is a need to reconsider the introduction of the algorithm 4 in that it is difficult to think algorithm 4 is more efficient than algorithm 3. Because (natural number)${\div}$(natural number)=(natural number)${\times}$(the reciprocal of a natural number) is dealt with in algorithm 2, it can be considered to change algorithm 7 to algorithm 2 alike. In textbooks, by converting fraction division expressions into fraction multiplication expressions through indirect methods, the principles of calculation which guarantee the algorithms are explained. Method of using the transitivity, method of using the models such as number bars or rectangles, method of using the equivalence are those. Direct conversion from fraction division expression to fraction multiplication expression by handling the expression is possible, too, but this is beyond the scope of the curriculum. In textbook, when dealing with (natural number)${\div}$(proper fraction) and converting natural numbers to improper fractions, converting natural numbers to proper fractions is used, but it has been never treated officially.

• Journal of Elementary Mathematics Education in Korea
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.215-241
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• 2017

This study analyzed teachers' Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK) regarding the pedagogical aspect of the instruction of ratio and rate in order to look into teachers' problems during the process of teaching ratio and rate. This study aims to clarify problems in teachers' PCK and promote the consideration of the materialization of an effective and practical class in teaching ratio and rate by identifying the improvements based on problems indicated in PCK. We subdivided teachers' PCK into four areas: mathematical content knowledge, teaching method and evaluation knowledge, understanding knowledge about students' learning, and class situation knowledge. The conclusion of this study based on analysis of the results is as follows. First, in the 'mathematical content knowledge' aspect of PCK, teachers need to understand the concept of ratio from the perspective of multiplicative comparison of two quantities, and the concept of rate based on understanding of two quantities that are related proportionally. Also, teachers need to introduce ratio and rate by providing students with real-life context, differentiate ratios from fractions, and teach the usefulness of percentage in real life. Second, in the 'teaching method and evaluation knowledge' aspect of PCK, teachers need to establish teaching goals about the students' comprehension of the concept of ratio and rate and need to operate performance evaluation of the students' understanding of ratio and rate. Also, teachers need to improve their teaching methods such as discovery learning, research study and activity oriented methods. Third, in the 'understanding knowledge about students' learning' aspect of PCK, teachers need to diversify their teaching methods for correcting errors by suggesting activities to explore students' own errors rather than using explanation oriented correction. Also, teachers need to reflect students' affective aspects in mathematics class. Fourth, in the 'class situation knowledge' aspect of PCK, teachers need to supplement textbook activities with independent consciousness and need to diversify the form of class groups according to the character of the activities.

• Journal of Educational Research in Mathematics
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.135-152
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• 2013

The purpose of this study is to navigate to the desired direction for the figure of number line through the extensive analysis of number line in middle school textbooks and literatures. For the efficient achievement of this purpose, three research questions were posed as follows: First, we compare the figures of number line in textbooks of Korea and other countries. Korean math textbooks mark the arrow on both sides of number line. But, however, coordinate plane was marked with arrow on only positive direction of number line. In contrast, the majority of secondary school textbooks in several foreign countries has the arrow only on positive direction. Second, the change in the figure of number line has been analyzed historically from two perspectives. From the first to 2007-revised curriculum, math textbooks of Korea were analyzed. Since the 6th curriculum, the number of textbooks with arrows on both sides has increased sharply. That is, textbooks with one arrow almost have disappeared. It is strange that any explanation for this abrupt change can't be found. The following analysis was also performed on published foreign literatures since Descartes. There was no arrow in the early figures of number line. But after 19th century, number lines with one arrow have begun to appear. Third, based on the previous study, we propose a reasonable way for the figure of number line. In fact, we claim that, in terms of linguistic symbols, the number line should be with only one arrow on positive side.

• Education of Primary School Mathematics
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.189-202
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• 2021

The teacher's questions presented in the problem-solving situation stimulate students' mathematical thinking and lead them to find a solution to the given problem situation. In this research, the types and functions of questions presented in chapters of Pattern area of the 2015 revised elementary school mathematics textbooks were compared and analyzed by grade cluster. Through this, it was attempted to obtain implications for teaching and learning in identifying the characteristics of questions and effectively using the questions when teaching Pattern area. As a result of this research, as grade clsuter increased, the number of questions per lesson presented in Pattern area increased. Frequency of the types of questions in textbooks was found to be high in the order of reasoning questions, factual questions, and open questions in common by grade cluster. In chapters of Pattern area, relatively many questions were presented that serve as functions to help guess, invent, and solve problems or to help mathematical reasoning in the process of finding rules. It can be inferred that these types of questions and their functions are related to the learning content by grade cluster and characteristics of grade cluster. Therefore, the results of this research can contribute to providing a reference material for devising questions when teaching Pattern area and further to the development of teaching and learning in Pattern area.

• Communications of Mathematical Education
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.393-419
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• 2020

Trigonometry allows us to recognize the usefulness of mathematics through connection with real life and other disciplines, and lays the foundation for the concept of higher mathematics through connection with trigonometric functions. Since international comparisons on the trigonometry area of textbooks can give implications to trigonometry teaching and learning in Korea, this study attempted to compare trigonometry in textbooks in Korea, Australia and Finland. In this study, through the horizontal and vertical analysis presented by Charalambous et al.(2010), the objectives of the curriculum, content system, achievement standards, learning timing of trigonometry content, learning paths, and context of problems were analyzed. The order of learning in which the three countries expanded size of angle was similar, and there was a difference in the introduction of trigonometric functions and the continuity of grades dealing with trigonometry. In the learning path of textbooks on the definition method of trigonometric ratios, the unit circle method was developed from the triangle method to the trigonometric function. However, in Korea, after the explanation using the quadrant in middle school, the general angle and trigonometric functions were studied without expanding the angle. As a result of analyzing the context of the problem, the proportion of problems without context was the highest in all three countries, and the rate of camouflage context problem was twice as high in Korea as in Australia or Finland. Through this, the author suggest to include the unit circle method in the learning path in Korea, to present a problem that can emphasize the real-life context, to utilize technological tools, and to reconsider the ways and areas of the curriculum that deal with trigonometry.

• School Mathematics
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.603-617
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• 2013

The major purpose of this article is to examine what kind of gap exists between mathematically gifted students' probability knowledge and the reality actually applying that knowledge and then analyze the cause of the gap. To attain the goal, 23 elementary mathematically gifted students at the highest level from G region were provided with problem situations internalizing a probability and expectation, and the problems are in series in which conditions change one by one. The study task is in a gaming situation where there can be the most reasonable answer mathematically, but the choice may differ by how much they consider a certain condition. To collect data, the students' individual worksheets are collected, and all the class procedures are recorded with a camcorder, and the researcher writes a class observation report. The biggest reason why the students do not make a decision solely based on their own mathematical knowledge is because of 'impracticality', one of the properties of probability, that in reality, all things are not realized according to the mathematical calculation and are impossible to be anticipated and also their own psychological disposition to 'avoid loss' about their entry fee paid. In order to provide desirable probability education, we should not be limited to having learners master probability knowledge included in the textbook by solving the problems based on algorithmic knowledge but provide them with plenty of experience to apply probabilistic inference with which they should make their own choice in diverse situations having context.

• Journal of the Korean School Mathematics Society
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.309-325
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• 2009

The purpose of the study was to investigate the differences between Korean mathematics textbooks and CPMP textbooks in the view of conceptual network, structure of mathematical contents, instructional design, and teaching and learning environment to explore the implications for mathematics education in Korea. According to the results, Korean textbooks emphasized the mathematical structures and conceptual network, on the other hand, CPMP textbooks focused on making connections between mathematical concepts and corresponding real life situations as well as mathematical structures. And generalizing mathematical concepts at the symbolic level was very important objective in Korean textbooks, but in the CPMP textbooks, investigating mathematical ideas and solving problems in diverse contexts including real- life situations were considered very important. Teachers using Korean textbooks preferred an explanatory teaching method with the use of concrete manipulatives and student worksheet, however, teachers using CPMP textbooks emphasized collaborative group activities to communicate mathematical ideas and encouraged students to use graphing calculators when they explore mathematical concepts and solve problems.

• Journal of Educational Research in Mathematics
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.327-344
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• 2011

This study is the first step for us toward improving high school students' capability of statistical inferences, such as obtaining and interpreting the confidence interval on the population mean that is currently learned in high school. We suggest 5 underlying concepts of 'discretion of contingency and inevitability', 'discretion of induction and deduction', 'likelihood principle', 'variability of a statistic' and 'statistical model', those are necessary to appreciate statistical inferences as a reliable arguing tools in spite of its occasional erroneous conclusions. We assume those 5 concepts above are to be gradually developing in their school periods and Korean mathematics textbooks of grades 1-12 were analyzed. Followings were found. For the right choice of solving methodology of the given problem, no elementary textbook but a few high school textbooks describe its difference between the contingent circumstance and the inevitable one. Formal definitions of population and sample are not introduced until high school grades, so that the developments of critical thoughts on the reliability of inductive reasoning could not be observed. On the contrary of it, strong emphasis lies on the calculation stuff of the sample data without any inference on the population prospective based upon the sample. Instead of the representative properties of a random sample, more emphasis lies on how to get a random sample. As a result of it, the fact that 'the random variability of the value of a statistic which is calculated from the sample ought to be inherited from the randomness of the sample' could neither be noticed nor be explained as well. No comparative descriptions on the statistical inferences against the mathematical(deductive) reasoning were found. Few explanations on the likelihood principle and its probabilistic applications in accordance with students' cognitive developmental growth were found. It was hard to find the explanation of a random variability of statistics and on the existence of its sampling distribution. It is worthwhile to explain it because, nevertheless obtaining the sampling distribution of a particular statistic, like a sample mean, is a very difficult job, mere noticing its existence may cause a drastic change of understanding in a statistical inference.