• Journal of Educational Research in Mathematics
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.85-102
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• 2010

Linear programming(LP) is useful for finding the best way in a given condition for some list of requirements represented as linear equations. This study analysed LP in mathematics contexts and LP in school mathematics contexts, considered learning process of LP from an epistemological point of view, and explored a hypothetical learning trajectory of LP. The differences between mathematics contexts and school mathematics contexts are whether they considered that the convex polytope $\Omega$ is feasible/infeasible or bounded/unbounded or not, and whether they prove the theorem that the optimum is always attained at a vertex of the polyhedronor not. And there is a possibility that students could not understand what is maximum and minimum of a linear function when the domain of the function is limited. By considering these three aspects, we constructed hypothetical learning trajectory consisted of 4 steps. The first step is to see a given linear expression as linear function, the second step is to partition a given domain by straight lines, the third step is to construct the conception of y-intercept by relating lines and the range of k, and the forth step is to identify whether there exists the optimum in a given domain or not.

• School Mathematics
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.759-783
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• 2013

Both curriculum and textbooks play an important role in the process of didactical transposition from mathematics as a science to school mathematics. The 2009 revised national curriculum for mathematics introduced the system of grade-band, so its achievement criteria for mathematical contents tend to be addressed more and less generally in the curriculum. We need to investigate whether the achievement criteria were applied meaningfully in elementary textbooks for mathematics. This study aims to recognize the connection between the curriculum and the textbooks and make a suggestion for composing the following curriculum and its textbooks. To do this, we analyzed the mathematics textbooks for 1~2 grades in relation to the mathematical contents as per reconstructed one of curriculum achievement criteria, the mathematical terms and symbols, and the mathematical processes -mathematical problem solving, mathematical reasoning, mathematical communication. Based this analysis, futhermore, this study includes some didactical discussions and implications for development of mathematics textbooks in 3~4 and 5~6 grade-bands.

• Journal of Educational Research in Mathematics
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.363-384
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• 2001

The purpose of this thesis is, through analysing the characteristics of the definitions in Korean school mathematics textbooks, to explore the levels of them and to make suggestions for definition - teaching as a mathematising activity, Definitions used in academic mathematics are rigorous. But they should be transformed into various types, which are presented in school mathematics textbooks, with didactical purposes. In this thesis we investigated such types of transformation. With the result of this investigation we tried to identify the levels of the definitions in school mathematics textbooks. And in school mathematics textbooks there are definitions which carry out special functions in mathematical contexts or situations. We can say that we understand those definitions, only if we also understand the functions of definitions in those contexts or situations. In this thesis we investigated the cases in school mathematics textbooks, when such functions of definition are accompanied. With the result of this investigation we tried to make suggestions for definition-teaching as an intellectual activity. To begin with we considered definition from two aspects, methods of definition and functions of definition. We tried to construct, with consideration about methods of definition, frame for analysing the types of the definitions in school mathematics and search for a method for definition-teaching through mathematization. Methods of definition are classified as connotative method, denotative method, and synonymous method. Especially we identified that connotative method contains logical definition, genetic definition, relational definition, operational definition, and axiomatic definition. Functions of definition are classified as, description-function, stipulation-function, discrimination-function, analysis-function, demonstration-function, improvement-function. With these analyses we made a frame for investigating the characteristics of the definitions in school mathematics textbooks. With this frame we identified concrete types of transformations of methods of definition. We tried to analyse this result with van Hieles' theory about levels of geometry learning and the mathematical language levels described by Freudenthal, and identify the levels of definitions in school mathematics. We showed the levels of definitions in the geometry area of the Korean school mathematics. And as a result of analysing functions of definition we found that functions of definition appear more often in geometry than in algebra or analysis and that improvement-function, demonstration-function appear regularly after demonstrative geometry while other functions appear before demonstrative geometry. Also, we found that generally speaking, the functions of definition are not explained adequately in school mathematics textbooks. So it is required that the textbook authors should be careful not to miss an opportunity for the functional understanding. And the mathematics teachers should be aware of the functions of definitions. As mentioned above, in this thesis we analysed definitions in school mathematics, identified various types of didactical transformations of definitions, and presented a basis for future researches on definition teaching in school mathematics.

• Communications of Mathematical Education
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.469-486
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• 2022

Counting occupies a fundamental and important position in mathematical learning due to its relation to number concepts and numeral operations. In particular, counting up to large numbers is an essential learning element in that it is structural counting that includes the understanding of place values as well as the one-to-one correspondence and cardinal principles required by counting when introducing number concepts in the early stages of number learning. This study aims to derive didactical implications by investigating the possibility of and the strategies for counting large numbers that is expected to have no students' experience because it is not composed of current textbook activities. To do this, 89 second-grade elementary school students who learned the three-digit numbers and experienced group-counting and skip-counting as textbook activities were provided with questions asking how many penguins were in a picture where 260 penguins were irregularly arranged and how to count. As a result of analyzing students' responses in terms of the correct answer rate, the strategy used, and their cognitive characteristics, the incorrect answer rate was very high, and the use of decimal principles, group-counting, counting by one, and partial sum strategies were confirmed. Based on these analysis results, several didactical implications were derived, including the need to include counting up to large numbers as textbook activities.

• The Mathematical Education
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.37-54
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• 2018

Despite the significance of fraction in elementary mathematics education, it is not easy to teach it meaningfully in connection with real life in Korea. This study aims to investigate and analyze 3rd grade students' understanding on unit fraction concepts and on comparison of unit fractions and to identify the parts which need to be supplemented in relation to unit fraction. For these purposes, I reviewed previous studies and extracted chapters which cover unit fractions in elementary mathematics textbooks based on 2009 revised curriculums and analyzed teaching contexts and visual representations of unit fractions. From this point of view, I constructed a test which consists of three problems based on Chval et al(2013) to investigate students' understanding on unit fraction. To apply this test, I selected forty-one 3rd grade students and examined that students' aspects of understanding on unit fraction. The results were analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively. In this study, I present the analysis results and provide implications and some didactical suggestions for teaching contexts and visual representations of unit fraction based on the discussion.

• School Mathematics
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.415-429
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• 2009

In this study, in order to use history of mathematics in mathematical learning effectively, we investigate application of history of mathematics shown textbooks in simultaneous equations. History of Mathematics can be used in order to enhance comprehension and increase interest in an introduction to the simultaneous equations. It also can be used to help motivate middle school students to solve the simultaneous equations with much interest during the development phase, and develope open thinking and reflective thinking in the enrichment learning.

• Communications of Mathematical Education
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.155-178
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• 2014

This study starts from the problem that although the solution premise the generality in algebra, a lot of students don't understand the generality of algebraic solution. We investigated this problem to understand cognitive characteristic of students. Moreover, we tried to find the elements which helping students understand the generality of algebraic solution. The purpose is to get the didactical implications. To do this, we had investigated the cognition of twenty middle school students for generality of solution. As result, 70 % of them didn't cognize the generality of solution. We had a personal interview with four students who showed a lack of sense of generality of algebraic solution. Putting into three action which we designed to help the change of their recognition, we observed and analyzed students cognizance change. Three action is the check of accordance for individual results, the check of solution accordance for different variables and the check of arbitrary variables. Based on the analysis, we discussed on the cognitive characteristic of students and the effect of three action. We finally discussed on the didactical implications to help students understand the generality of algebraic solution.

• School Mathematics
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.17-37
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• 2009

Concept and model of multiplication is not single. Concepts of multiplication can be classified into three cases: repeated addition, times idea, pairs set. Models of multiplication can be classified into four cases: measurement, rectangular pattern, combinatorial problem, number line. Among diverse cases of multiplication's concept and model, which case does elementary mathematics education lay stress on? This question is a controvertible didactical point. In this thesis, (1) mathematical and didactical analysis of multiplication's concept and model is performed, (2) a concrete program of teaching multiplication which is based on times idea is contrived, (3) With this new program, the teaching experiment is performed and its result is analyzed. Through this study, I obtained the following results and suggestions. First, the degree of testee's understanding of times idea is not high. Secondly, a sort of test problem which asks the testee to find times value is more easy than the one to find multiplicative resulting value. Thirdly, combinatorial problem can be handled as an application of multiplication. Fourthly, the degree of testee's understanding of repeated addition is high. In conclusion, I observe the fact that this new program which is based on times idea could be a alternative program of teaching multiplication which could complement the traditional method.

• Journal of Elementary Mathematics Education in Korea
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.89-108
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• 2020

Since arithmetic is the foundation of school mathematics, it needs to be taught meaningfully in the direction of improving arithmetical thinking levels of students beyond the fluency of computing skills. Therefore, in this study, the arithmetical thinking levels of 100 students in 5th grade were analyzed by applying the arithmetical thinking level test. As a result, 82 students were at 1st level and 15 students were at 2nd level of the arithmetical thinking. I analyzed the characteristics of arithmetical thinking and types of errors and misconceptions made by the students, and derived some didactical implications for arithmetic education in elementary school mathematics.

• School Mathematics
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.313-324
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• 2004

One of the major roots of the value and power of mathematical knowledge is the belief on ‘the Pythagorian-Platonic divine mathematicity of the universe’ and the ‘pre-established harmony between mathematics and physics’. This kind of the nature of mathematical knowledge demands strongly the school mathematics to become a subject for humanity education going beyond the practical usefulness. Here, investigating the roots of the thought of mathematical education, we tried to clarify that the traditional educational ideal which has maintained the theoretical knowledge-centered mathematical education is the education of humanity, and investigate the way today's mathematical pedagogy should first turn to if it should realize this ideal.