• Journal of the Korean School Mathematics Society
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.63-86
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• 2013

This study aimed to explore how middle school students perceive constructed-response items and how they solve those items and the patterns of the processes. For this purpose, data were collected from middle school students through survey, written responses on those items that were developed for this particular purpose, and interviews. The survey data were analyzed by using Excel and the written responses and interview data qualitatively. The findings about the students' perceptions about the constructed-response items suggested that the middle school students perceive the items primarily as involving writing solutions logically(17%) and being capable of explaining while solving them(7%). The most difficulties they encounter when solving the items were understanding(26%), applying(12%), mathematical writing(25%), computing(23%), and reasoning(14%). The findings about the students' mathematical proficiencies showed that they made an error most in reasoning (35%), then in understanding(31%), in applying(9%), and least in computing(3%).

• The Mathematical Education
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.231-246
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• 2018

In this paper, we applied Sfard's reification theory to analyze the secondary students' level of conceptualization with regard to the formula of quadratic equation. Through the generation and development of mathematical concepts from a historical perspective, Sfard classified the formulation process into three stages of interiorization, condensation, and reification, and proposed levels of formulation. Based on this theory, we constructed a test tool reflecting the reversibility of the nature of manipulation of Piaget's theory as a criterion of content judgement in order to grasp students' conceptualization level of the formula of quadratic equation. By applying this tool, we analyzed the conceptualization level of the formula of quadratic equation of the $9^{th}$ and $10^{th}$ graders. The main results are as follows. First, approximately 45% of $9^{th}$ graders can not memorize the formula of quadratic equation, or even if they memorize, they do not have the ability of accurate calculation to apply for it. Second, high school curriculum requires for students to use the formula of the quadratic equation, but about 60% of $10^{th}$ graders have not reached at the level of reification that they can use the formula of quadratic equation. Third, as a result of imaginarily correcting the error of the previous concept, there was a change in the levels of $9^{th}$ graders, and there was no change in $10^{th}$ graders.

• Journal of Elementary Mathematics Education in Korea
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.1-18
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of estimation strategy on placing decimal point in multiplication and division of decimals. To examine the effects of improving calculation ability and reducing decimal point errors with this estimation strategy, the experimental research on operation with decimal was conducted. The operation group conducted the decimal point estimation strategy for operating decimal fractions, whereas the control group used the traditional method with the same test paper. The results obtained in this research are as follows; First, the estimation strategy with understanding a basic meaning of decimals was much more effective in calculation improvement than the algorithm study with repeated calculations. Second, the mathematical problem solving ability - including the whole procedure for solving the mathematical question - had no effects since the decimal point estimation strategy is normally performed after finishing problem solving strategy. Third, the estimation strategy showed positive effects on the calculation ability. Th Memorizing algorithm doesn't last long to the students, but the estimation strategy based on the concept and the position of decimal fraction affects continually to the students. Finally, the estimation strategy assisted the students in understanding the connection of the position of decimal points in the product with that in the multiplicand or the multiplier. Moreover, this strategy suggested to the students that there was relation between the placing decimal point of the quotient and that of the dividend.

• School Mathematics
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.427-444
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• 2005

The Purpose of this study is to explore he mathematical discovery and justification of six 10th grade students through mathematical modeling activities in spreadsheet environments. The students investigated problem situations with a spreadsheet, which seem to be difficult to solve in paper and pencil environment. In spreadsheet environments, it is easy for students to form a data table and graph by inputting and copying spreadsheet formulas, and to make change specific variable by making a scroll bar. In this study those functions of spreadsheet play an important role in discovery and justification of mathematical rules which underlie in the problem situations. In modeling activities, the students could solve the problem situations and find the mathematical rules by using those functions of spreadsheets. They used two types of trial and error strategies to find the rules. The first type was to insert rows between two adjacent rows and the second was to make scroll bars connecting specific variable and change the variable by moving he scroll bars. The spreadsheet environments also help students to justify their findings deductively and convince them that their findings are true by checking various cases of the Problem situations.

• School Mathematics
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.127-141
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• 2016

This study analyzes modes related to use of graph representation that appears to solve high school students quadratic function problem based on the graph using modes of Chauvat. It was examined the extent of understanding of the quadratic function of students through the flexibility of the representation of the Bannister (2014) from the analysis. As a result, the graph representation mode in which a high school students are mainly used is a nomographic specific mode, when using operational mode, it was found to be an error. The flexibility of Bannister(2014) that were classified to the use of representation from the point of view of the object and the process in the understanding of the function was constrained operation does not occur between the two representations in understanding the function in the process of perspective. Based on these results, the teaching on use graph representation for the students in classroom is required and the study of teaching and learning methods can understand the function from various perspectives is needed.

• Journal for History of Mathematics
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.169-182
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• 2008

This study has been searching for reasoning process solving the problem effectively in activities related to meaningful classification of pieces and geometric properties with tangram. In activities using some pieces of tangram, we systematically came up with every solution in classifying properties of pieces and combining selected pieces. It is very difficult for regular students to do this tangram. In order to solve this problem effectively, we need to show that there are activities using the idea acquired in reasoning process. Through this process, we do not simply use tangram to understand he concept and play for interest but to use it more meaningfully. And the best solution an not be found by a process of trial and error but must be given by experience to look or it systematically and methods to reason it logically.

• Journal of the Korean School Mathematics Society
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.627-641
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• 2012

We found a few students had an error in the function and equation units, because most of mathematicians omitted the multiplication signs. In the mathematical history, the multiplication and parentheses signs had various changes. Based on the Histogenetic Principle, high level students know that the letter in the functions and equations represents a number and the related principles, so they have no big problems. But since the low level students stay in the early days in the mathematical history, they have some problems in the modern function and equation. Therefore, while we study the function and equation units with the low level students, we present that we have to be cautious when we omit the multiplication and parentheses signs.

• Journal of Elementary Mathematics Education in Korea
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.169-192
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• 2019

This study investigates how well grade 4, 5, and 6 students understand graphs before formal education is done on graphs. For this, we analyzed students' understanding of graphs by classifying them into 'reading data', 'finding relationships between data', 'interpreting data', and 'understanding situations' based on previous studies. The results show that the students have good understanding of graphs that did not have formal education. This suggests that it is necessary to consider the timing of the introduction of the graph. In addition, when we look at the percentage of correctness of each graph, it is found that the understanding of the line graph is weaker than the other graphs. The common error in most graphs was that students relied on their own subjective thoughts and experiences rather than based on the data presented.

• School Mathematics
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.361-384
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to investigate students' problem solving process based on the model of IDEAL if they learn to solve word problems of simultaneous linear equations through structure-representation instruction. The problem solving model of IDEAL is followed by stages; identifying problems(I), defining problems(D), exploring alternative approaches(E), acting on a plan(A). 160 second-grade students of middle schools participated in a study was classified into those of (a) a control group receiving no explicit instruction of structure-representation in word problem solving, and (b) a group receiving structure-representation instruction followed by IDEAL. As a result of this study, a structure-representation instruction improved word-problem solving performance and the students taught by the structure-representation approach discriminate more sharply equivalent problem, isomorphic problem and similar problem than the students of a control group. Also, students of the group instructed by structure-representation approach have less errors in understanding contexts and using data, in transferring mathematical symbol from internal learning relation of word problem and in setting up an equation than the students of a control group. Especially, this study shows that the model of direct transformation and the model of structure-schema in students' problem solving process of I and D stages.

• Education of Primary School Mathematics
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.19-30
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• 2016

This study examined pre-service teachers' pedagogical content knowledge of fraction division in a context where they were asked to write a story problem for a symbolic expression illustrating a whole number divided by a proper fraction. Problem-posing is an important instructional strategy with the potential to create meaningful contexts for learning mathematical concepts, especially when real-world applications are intended. In this study, story problems written by 135 elementary pre-service teachers were analyzed with respect to mathematical correctness. error types, and division models. Patterns and tendencies in elementary pre-service teachers' knowledge of fraction division were identified. Implicaitons for teaching and teacher education are discussed.