• Research in Mathematical Education
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.33-51
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• 2007

The present study explores mathematics teachers' understanding of division by zero and their approaches to explaining the impossibility of division by zero. This study analyzes Chinese and Korean middle school mathematics teachers' responses to the teaching task of explaining the impossibility of dividing 7 by zero, and examples of teachers' reasoned explanations for their answers are presented. The findings from this study suggest that most Korean teachers offer multiple types of mathematical explanations for justifying the impossibility of division by zero, while Chinese teachers' explanations were more uniform and based less on mathematical ideas than those of their Korean counterparts. Another finding from this study is that teachers' particular conceptions of zero were strongly associated with their justifications for the impossibility of division by zero, and the influence of the teachers' conceptions of zero was revealed as a barrier in composing a well-reasoned explanation for the impossibility of division by zero. One of the practical implications of this study is those teachers' basic attitudes toward always attempting to give explanations for mathematical facts or mathematical concepts do not seem to be derived solely from their sufficient knowledge of the facts or concepts of mathematics.

• Journal of Educational Research in Mathematics
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.229-259
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• 2012

The purpose of the present study is to develop instrument of mathematical belief of middle school and high school students and to analysis results of test using the instrument. Based on the results of literature review, mathematical belief is the cumulative effects of self-assessment and self-concept in mathematical learning and achievement experience. Four sub-components of mathematical belief is identified belief of school mathematics, belief of mathematical problem solving, mathematical self-concept, belief of mathematical teaching and learning. The instrument was developed to investigate mathematical belief by reflecting Korean middle school and high school students' psychological characters. To develop the appropriate items for the mathematical belief, after reviewing literature thoroughly, first version of the instrument was developed and exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were conducted. Then, to reduce the effect of the gender difference and achievement level difference, Correlation Analysis and 1-way ANOVA was performed. Also, using multiple group confirmatory factor analysis, this instrument was investigated to see whether this can be used for both middle school and high school. The final items for middle school students is consisted 7 items of belief of school mathematics, 9 items of belief of mathematical problem solving, 11 items of mathematical self-concept, 10 items of belief of mathematical teaching and learning. Instrument of mathematical belief for high school students is consisted 9 items of belief of school mathematics, 9 items of belief of mathematical problem solving, 11 items of mathematical self-concept, 11 items of belief of mathematical teaching and learning. This study examined the differences about mathematical belief's sub-factors shown by three groups of mathematics achievement level. Students of higher achievement level showed that the degree of most factors ware the highest excepting stereotype of belief of school mathematics. Also, Male students preferred more positive in mathematics belief than female students.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.30-45
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• 2012

Educational communities around the world have concentrated on integrative efforts among science, technology, engineering and mathematics (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics: STEM) subjects. Korea has focused on integrative education among STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) school subjects to raise talented human resources in the fields of science and technology. The purpose of this study was to analyze secondary school science, technology, and mathematics teacher's perceptions and needs toward integrated education and integrative STEM education. A total of 251 secondary school teachers from all areas of the country who have taught science, mathematics, and technology were surveyed by using a self-reported instrument. The findings were as follows: First, teachers have used little integrated education in their classes due to insufficient time in the actual preparation of the integrated education and the lack of expertise, teaching experience, and teaching-learning materials for the integrated education, while they have positive thoughts about the need of integrated education. Second, they presented several needs to facilitate the integrated education: development of a variety of integrated programs, school administrative and financial support, and in-service teachers' training. Third, overall perception toward integrated STEM education was not sufficient, but most teachers perceived the need toward integrated STEM education due to students' development in their creativity, thinking skills, and adaptability. Fourth, they perceived that it was imperative to develop the various integrated STEM education programs, distribute the materials, and help STEM teachers' understanding toward integrated STEM education. Fifth, they perceived that the most relevant method to integrate STEM subjects was the problem solving approach. In addition, they appreciate that the integrated STEM education is highly efficient in not only developing integrated problem solving skills and STEM related literacy, but also in positively impacting the rise of talented human resources in the fields of science and technology. In order to increase the awareness of STEM-related secondary school teachers and vitalize the integrated STEM education, it is necessary to develop and spread a variety of programs, effective teaching and learning materials, and teachers' training programs.

• Journal of the Korean School Mathematics Society
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.159-184
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• 2023

In this study, after defining motivating efficacy operationally, we developed a draft of the Motivating Efficacy Scale for Mathematics Teachers (MESMT), a measure of mathematics teachers' motivating efficacy, through the literature review and an expert Delphi survey, and conducted the exploratory factor analysis using online survey responses from 347 elementary and secondary mathematics teachers across the country to explore the factor structure of the measure and to test its validity and reliability. The exploratory factor analysis resulted in the deletion of 17 items from the initial 42 items developed through the literature review and expert Delphi survey and the identification of four factors (Providing successful experiences, Eliciting attention and engagement, Creating mathematics case-based relevance, and Providing extrinsic rewards), resulting in a final MESMT of 25 items. The MESMT developed in this study is a valid and reliable measure of mathematics teachers' motivating efficacy, and is expected to serve as a starting point for many subsequent studies to understand mathematics teachers' motivating efficacy and improve mathematics teachers' ability to motivate students' mathematics learning.

• East Asian mathematical journal
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.173-195
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• 2014

This study, utilizing several features about plane figures covered in the current secondary curriculum of mathematics and reviewing two solutions to cube duplication problem presented by Menaechmus, proving the solution by Nicomedes and visualizing solutions based on Apollonius' 'Conics' by medieval Islam geometricians such as Ab$\bar{u}$ Bakr al-Haraw$\bar{i}$, AbAb$\bar{u}$ J$\acute{a}$far al-Kh$\bar{a}$zin, Nas$\bar{i}$r al-D$\bar{i}$n al-T$\bar{u}s\bar{i}$, Y$\bar{u}$suf al-Mu'taman ibn H$\bar{u}$d, introduce to teachers and students in the field where the question of cube duplication problem comes from and which solving method has developed it and suggests new methods for visualization using dynamic geometry program as well so that the contents reviewed can be used in the filed. The solving methods to cube duplication problem in this paper are very creative and increase the practicality, efficiency and value of Mathematics, and provide students and teachers with the opportunities to reconfirm the importance and beauty of basic knowledge in the secondary geometry in the process of visualization of drawing figures using dynamic geometry program.

• The Mathematical Education
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• v.60 no.3
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• pp.281-295
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• 2021

This study examines the breadth and depth of knowledge of the teacher employment test for secondary mathematics. For the breadth of knowledge, we attempted to figure out the range of knowledge in terms of the content areas using the standards from the Korea Society Educational Studies in Mathematics[KSESM](2008). For the depth of knowledge, we chose Anderson & Krathwohl(2001) framework to analyze levels of each item in the test. The results from the analysis of 180 items in the teacher employment test between 2014 and 2021 show that while items in mathematics education have considerable variation in terms of range and levels of knowledge, those in some subjects of mathematics can be found only certain level of knowledge. i.e., merely certain topics or levels of knowledge have been heavily evaluated. Thus, considering the breadth and depth of knowledge teachers should have, the current exam needs to be improved in terms of teacher knowledge. It does not mean that every topic and every level of knowledge should be evaluated. However, it is a meaningful opportunity to think about what kinds of knowledge teachers should have in relation to K-12 mathematics curriculum and how we can evaluate the knowledge. More collaborative effort is inevitable for the improvement of teacher knowledge and teacher employment test.

• Journal of the Korean School Mathematics Society
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.509-521
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• 2020

This study began with the discovery of the concept of frequency density in Singapore textbooks and in a set of subject contents of the UK's General Certificate of Secondary Education. To understand the mathematical meaning of frequency density, the mathematical connection of frequency density was considered in terms of mathematics internal connections and mathematics external connections. In addition, the teaching method of frequency density was introduced. In terms of mathematical internal connections, the connections among the probability density function, relative frequency density, and frequency density in high school statistics were examined. Regarding mathematical external connections, the connection with the density concept in middle school science was analyzed. Based on the mathematical connection, the study suggested the need to introduce the frequency density concept. For the teaching method of frequency density, the Singapore secondary mathematics textbook was introduced. The Singapore textbook introduces frequency density to correctly represent and accurately interpret data in histograms with unequal class intervals. Therefore, by introducing frequency density, Korea can consistently teach probability density function, relative frequency density, and frequency density, emphasizing the mathematical internal connections among them and considering the external connections with the science subject. Furthermore, as a teaching method of frequency density, we can consider the method provided in the Singapore textbook.

• Journal of the Korean School Mathematics Society
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.327-342
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• 2018

The purpose of this paper is to review the domestic research on mathematical modeling by using three dimensional mathematical modeling map composed of perspective axis, domain axis, level axis, and to give direction to mathematical modeling research. The findings of this study show that the domestic research on mathematical modeling focuses on application perspective, notions and classroom domain and secondary level, and that we need various studies with concept formation perspective, system domain, tertiary level, and teacher(education) level on the future work about mathematical modeling.

• Research in Mathematical Education
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.223-234
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• 2003

Children interest themselves in all different toys they see, before beginning to speak. The psychological reasons for children′s interest in toys have been investigated for a long time. Thus many scientists have studied on the question "what is game？", but they have not reached a consensus yet. Such contradiction may be dependent upon different points of view of the researchers about game. Besides, the view of game of a child and an adult is different too. According to an adult game is a rebirth and escape from monotony. For child it is a work. The aim of this study is to make mathematics regarding a mass of abstract concepts for the students of grade 1-3 of primary school in the concrete operations period, more attractive with the help of educational and instructional games, and to contribute to student′s developing. The capability of thinking and producing by changing abstract concepts into concrete ones.

• Research in Mathematical Education
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.13-22
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• 2009

School children in Brunei Darussalam, as elsewhere, learn how to apply a lot of algorithms and formulas in mathematics. These include methods of finding the lowest common multiple and highest common multiple of numbers and methods of factorizing quadratics. Investigations and experience have shown that both able and less able students learn to do these mechanically and unimaginatively and in a way that is reliable when answering examination questions. Most of them do not, however, learn these algorithms and methods so as to develop a deeper insight of what they learn and thereby perform even more effectively in examinations. Yet it is possible to teach these and other methods for understanding in ways that are enjoyable and enable students to use them effectively and with flair.