• Journal of Elementary Mathematics Education in Korea
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.655-676
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• 2016

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of teaching on functional thinking, one of the algebraic thinking in sixth grade students level. For this study, we developed functional thinking based-teaching through analyzing mathematical curriculum and preceding research, which consisted of 12 classes, and we investigated the effects of teaching through quantitative and qualitative analysis. In the results of this study, functional thinking based-teaching was statistically proven to be more effective in improving algebraic reasoning skills and lower elements which is an algebraic reasoning as generalized arithmetic and functional thinking, compared to traditional textbook-centered lessons. In addition, the functional thinking based-teaching gave a positive impact on the functional thinking level. Thus functional thinking based-teaching provides guidance on the implications for teaching and learning methods and study of the functional thinking in the future, because of the significant impact on the mathematics learning in six grade students.

• Research in Mathematical Education
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.189-199
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• 2022

A debate about the importance of geometry courses has existed for years. The questions have revolved around its significance to students and teachers alike. This study looks to determine whether a teacher taking a college-level geometry course has a positive relationship with their students' algebraic reasoning skills. Using data from the High School Longitudinal Study 2009 (HSLS09: Ingels et al., 2011, 2014), it was determined that 9th-grade teachers who took a college-level geometry course had a significant positive association with their students' 11th-grade algebraic reasoning scores. This study suggests that teachers who take geometry during college have a lasting effect on their students. The implications of these findings and how they may affect higher education are discussed.