• Journal for History of Mathematics
• /
• v.19 no.3
• /
• pp.57-70
• /
• 2006

In this paper, we study the meaning and symbols of the number three and the structure of dividing into three parts in the religions, views of the world and the nature. Also we investigate the meaning of the number three, and the structure of dividing into three in the Samsung myth. According to legend, the 'Three Names' (Samsung-Yang, Ko and Pu) which are three demi-gods emerged from Samsung-hyeol(called Moheung-hyeol), and became the progenitors of the Jeju people who founded the Kingdom of Tamna.

• The Mathematical Education
• /
• v.45 no.2 s.113
• /
• pp.165-176
• /
• 2006

In this paper, we consider changes of algebra strands around the world. And we suggest needs of designing new computer environment where we make and manipulate geometric recursive patterns. For this purpose, we first consider relations among symbols, meanings and patterns. And we also consider Logo environment and characterize algebraic features. Then we introduce L-system which is considered as action letters and subgroup of turtle group. There are needs to be improved since there exists some ambiguity between sign and action. Based on needs of improving the previous L-system, we suggest new commands in JavaMAL microworld. So we design a microworld for recursive patterns and consider meanings of letters in new environments. Finally, we consider the method to integrate L-system and other existing microworlds, such as Logo and DGS. Specially, combining Logo and DGS, we consider the movement of such tiles and folding nets by L-system commands. And we discuss possible benefits in this environment.

• The Mathematical Education
• /
• v.47 no.3
• /
• pp.373-386
• /
• 2008

In highschool probability education, this study analyzed conflicts between intuitive concept and formal definition which originates from the process of establishing the concept of statistical independence. In judging independence, completely different types of problems requiring their own approach was analyzed by dividing them into two types. By doing so, this study researched a way to view independence as an overall idea. That is purposed to suggest a solution to a conflicts between intuitive concept and formal definition and to help not to judge independence out of wrong intuition. This study also suggests that calculation process which leads to precise perception of sample space and event be provided when we prove independence by expressing events with assembly symbols.

• The Mathematical Education
• /
• v.42 no.3
• /
• pp.387-402
• /
• 2003

Realistic Mathematics Education (RME) focuses on guided reinvention through which students explore experientially realistic context problems to develop informal problem solving strategies and solutions. This research applied this philosophy of RME to design a differential equation course at a university level. In particular, the course encouraged the students of the course to use numerical methods to solve differential equations. In this context, the purpose of this research was to describe the developmental process in which the students constructed and reinvented Euler algorithm in the class. For the purpose, this paper will present the didactical principle of RME and describe the process of developmental research to investigate the inferential process of students in solving the first order differential equation numerically. Finally, the qualitative analysis of the students' reasoning and use of symbols reveals how the students reinvent Euler algorithm under the didactical principle of guided reinvention. In this research, it has been found that the students developed deep understanding of Euler algorithm in the class. Moreover, it has been shown that the experience of doing mathematics in the course had a positive impact on students' mathematical belief and attitude. These findings imply that the didactical principle of RME can be applied to design university mathematical courses and in general, provide a perspective on how to reform mathematics curriculum at a university level.

• The Mathematical Education
• /
• v.49 no.4
• /
• pp.523-540
• /
• 2010

The purpose of the study were to analyze MathThematics textbooks and Korean middle school mathematics and to investigate the difference among the textbooks in the view of mathematical communication. According to the results, the textbook developers made a variety of efforts to develope students' mathematical communication ability. Students were encouraged to communicate with others about their mathematical ideas or problem solving processes in words or writing by means of discussion, oral report, presentation, journal, etc. MathThematics textbooks provided student self-assessment opportunity to improve student performance in problem solving, reasoning, and communication. In communication assessment, students can assess their use of mathematical vocabulary, notation, and symbols, the use of graphs, tables, models, diagrams and equation to solve problem and their presentation skills. The assessment activities would make a positive impact on the development of students' mathematical communication ability. MathThematics textbooks provided a variety of problem situation including history, science, sports, culture, art, and real world as a topic for communication, however, the researcher found that some of Korean textbooks depends heavily on mathematical problem situations.

• Journal of Elementary Mathematics Education in Korea
• /
• v.20 no.4
• /
• pp.583-599
• /
• 2016

In this paper, aspects of equalities with monomial left-hand side presented in Korean elementary school mathematics textbooks are analyzed focusing on the component of expressions. According to this analysis, the textbooks deal with equalities with monomial left-hand side as though the students already know them, rather than to introduce and deal with them systematically. In this paper, the following four suggestions based on this analysis are proposed as conclusions. First, A-type equalities (with one kinds of calculation symbols and two or more numbers, variables, denominative numbers in the right-hans side) and B-type equalities (with two or more kinds of calculation symbols and two or more numbers, variables, denominative numbers in the right-hans side) may need to be introduced by the explicit description. Second, it is necessary to establish clearly the order of dealing with numeric expressions, expressions with ${\Box}$(blank) expression, expressions with words, expressions with ${\Box}$(variable), expressions with variables. Third, it needs to be noted that equalities with monomial left-hand side cab be used with a variety of meanings. Fourth, it is necessary to widen the range of the number constituting equalities with monomial left-hand side to the natural number 0 and as well as fractions, decimals.

• East Asian mathematical journal
• /
• v.28 no.4
• /
• pp.383-401
• /
• 2012

The purpose of mathematics education includes two important areas; cognitive area that emphasizes mathematical knowledge and understanding and affective area that stresses mathematical interest and attitude. The purpose of mathematics education is not only in acquiring the contents and knowledge but also rousing up interest and attention toward mathematics. Therefore, effort to accomplish this affective purpose has to be made. Introducing history of mathematics to teaching can be a important method for the students to arouse interest and attention toward mathematics. History of mathematics can help the students who are familiar to only manipulation of the symbols to develop a new way of thinking and mathematical thoughts arousing reflective thinking. According to the survey, although the effect of using mathematics history has been recognized, the mathematics history has neither been developed as teaching materials nor reflected in the courses of study. The purpose of this research is to develop the reading materials into suit for the mathematics curriculum to extract contents of the mathematics valuable in using in elementary mathematics teaching, and to investigate the effect of reading materials using the history of mathematics on learning attitude in elementary school. The way of developing materials in this study is as follows. First, to select the interesting and instructive subject for the elementary students such as the story and life of a mathematician, developmental stages of mathematical theory and calculation currently used and finding the patterns of the rules that requires mathematical thoughts. Second, to classify the selected items according to mathematics curriculum. Third, to reorganize the classified items of the appropriate grade with the reading materials of dialogue pattern in order to draw attention and interest from the students I developed 18 kinds materials in accordance with the above procedure and applied 5 materials among them to one class in 4th grade. Analysing the student's responses, First, using history of mathematics helps the students to arouse interest and confidence on mathematical learning attitude. And the students became better attitude of studying by oneself and attention on class. Second, as know by opinions after lesson, most students have a chance refresh one's thinking of mathematics, want to know the other content of history of mathematics and responded to study hard in mathematics. As a result, the reading materials on the basis of the history of mathematics motivates students for mathematics and helps them become confident in mathematics. If the materials are complemented properly, they will be useful and effective for students and teachers.

• The Mathematical Education
• /
• v.63 no.1
• /
• pp.1-18
• /
• 2024

This study aims to analyze low-performing high school students' difficulties in constructed response (CR) mathematics assessments and explore ways to use writing activities to support student learning. The participants took CR assessments, engaged in guided writing activities across 15 lessons, and provided responses to our interviews. The study identified 20 types of student difficulties, which were sorted into two main categories: "mathematical difficulties" and "CR difficulties." The difficult nature of mathematics as a school subject included a lack of understanding of mathematical concepts, students' difficulty with mathematical symbols and notations, and struggles with word problems. Challenges specific to CR assessments included students' difficulties arising from the testing conditions unlike those of multiple-choice items, and included issues related to constructing appropriate responses and psychological barriers. To address these challenges in CR assessments, the study conducted guided writing activities as an intervention, through which six themes were identified: (1) internalization of mathematical concepts, (2) mathematical thinking through relational understanding, (3) diverse problem-solving methods, (4) use of mathematical symbols, (5) reflective thinking, and (6) strategies to overcome psychological barriers.

• School Mathematics
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.181-196
• /
• 2007

It would have a trouble to communicate mathematically without an appropriate use of mathematical language. Therefore it is necessary to form mathematics classroom culture to encourage students to use mathematical language precisely. A four-month teaching experiment in a 4th grade mathematics class was conducted focused the accurate use of mathematical language. In the course of the teaching experiment, children became more careful to use their language precisely. The use of demonstrative pronouns such as this or that as well as the use of inaccurate or wrong expressions was diminished. Children became to use much more mathematical symbols and terms instead of their imprecise expressions. The result of the experiment suggests that the culture that encourage students to use mathematical language precisely can be formed in elementary mathematics classroom.

• School Mathematics
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.237-257
• /
• 2014

The purpose of this study is to investigate the academic achievement characteristics in terms of proficiency levels through the in-depth analysis of mathematics test items and achievement standards of the National Assessment of Educational Achievement(NAEA) from 2010 to 2012, and to provide suggestions for teaching and assessing mathematics in middle schools. The results showed that 'Advanced level' students could fully understand the concept of mathematical terms and symbols as well as various mathematical properties presented in the national curriculum. However, 'Proficient level' students tended to feel difficult to apply linear function, properties of a plane figure, and a solid figure, while 'Basic level' students seemed to have trouble solving mathematical problems in almost all areas. Thus, it is necessary to identify the mathematical misconceptions that students have and to strengthen teaching, particularly, the areas of number and operation.