• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.344-364
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• 2021

The study explored how two elementary school teachers perceived computational thinking, reflected them into curriculum revision, and taught them in the classroom during longitudinal professional developed program (PDP) for nine months. Computational thinking is a new direction in educational policy-making including science education; therefore we planned to investigate participating teachers' perception of computational thinking to provide their fundamental understandings. Nine meetings, lasting about two hours each, were held with the participating teachers and they developed 11 lesson plans for one unit each, as they formed new understandings about computational thinking. Data were collected through PDP program while two teachers started perceiving computational thinking, revising their curriculum, and implementing it into their class for nine months. The results were as follows; first, elementary school teachers' perception of computational thinking was that the definition of scientific literacy as the purpose of science education was extended, i.e., it refers to scientific literacy to prepare students to be creative problem solvers. Second, STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) lessons were divided into two stages; concept formation stage where scientific thinking is emphasized, and concept application, where computational thinking is emphasized. Thirdly, computational thinking is a cognitive thinking process, and ICT (informational and communications technology) is a functional tool. Fourth, computational thinking components appear repeatedly and may not be sequential. Finally, STEAM education can be improved by utilizing computational thinking. Based on this study, we imply that STEAM education can be activated by computational thinking when teachers are equipped with competencies of understanding and implementing computational thinking within the systematic PDPs, which is very essential for newly policies.

• Communications of Mathematical Education
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.517-544
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• 2023

This study presents the process and outcomes of developing mathematical-informatics linkage·convergence class materials, based on previous research findings that indicate a lack of such materials in high schools despite the increasing need for development of interdisciplinary linkage·convergence class materials In particular, this research provides insights into the discussions of six teachers who participated in the same professional learning community program, aiming to create materials that are suitable for linkage·convergence class materials and highly practical for classroom implementation. Following the material development process, a theme-based design model was applied to create the materials. In alignment with prior research and consensus among teacher learning community members, mathematics and informatics teachers developed instructional materials that can be utilized together during a 100-minute block lesson. The developed materials utilize societal issue contexts to establish links between the two subjects, enabling students to engage in problem-solving through mathematical modeling and coding. To increase the validity and practicality of the developed resources during their field application, CVR verification was conducted involving field teachers. Incorporating the results of the CVR verification, the finalized instructional materials were presented in the form of a teaching guide. Furthermore, we aimed to provide insights into the trial-and-error experiences and deliberations of the developers throughout the material development process, with the intention of offering valuable information that can serve as a foundation for conducting related research by field researchers. These research findings hold value as empirical evidence that can explore the applicability of teaching material development models in fields. The accumulation of such materials is expected to facilitate a cyclical relationship between theoretical teaching models and practical classroom applications.

• Journal of Science Education
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.47-62
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• 2024

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of classes using AlgeoMath on fifth grade elementary students' mathematical problem-solving skills and mathematical attitudes. For this purpose, the 'cuboid' section of the 5th grade elementary textbook based on AlgeoMath was reorganized. A total of 8 experimental classes were conducted using this teaching and learning material. And the quantitative data collected before and after the experimental lesson were statistically analyzed. In addition, by presenting instances of experimental lessons using AlgeoMath, we investigated the effectiveness and reality of classes using engineering in terms of mathematical problem-solving ability and attitude. The results of this study are as follows. First, in the mathematical problem-solving ability test, there was a significant difference between the experimental group and the comparison group at the significance level. In other words, lessons using AlgeoMath were found to be effective in increasing mathematical problem-solving skills. Second, in the mathematical attitude test, there was no significant difference between the experimental group and the comparison group at the significance level. However, the average score of the experimental group was found to be higher than that of the comparison group for all sub-elements of mathematical attitude.