Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of the manipulative materials in the Australian Maths 300 program by applying it to Korean Elementary Mathematics Education - based on parts of 'Probability and Statistics', and 'Symbol and Expression'. In order to this purpose, we select appropriate Maths 300's manipulate materials that could be used to obtain learning objectives within class time for each part, four lessons with the materials were taught at to third, fourth, and fifth grade students of elementary School. The effect of the teaching was analyzed by videotape and student opinion. The results of this study are the following: First, the manipulative tools were almost entirely lacking for the 'Probability and Statistics' section without a 'number of cases' unit. The tools presented in the 'Symbol and Expression' section were helpful in the games that were used for checking preceding learning. Second, the results of using the Math 300 manipulative materials in class showed that the students were eager to be involved in the activities using those materials and to find their own solutions in problem-solving questions that were suited to them; these led to them making their own questions. In response to questioning about the use of the manipulative materials, the students stated that it was easy and fun for them to use the manipulative materials, to solve the problems for themselves, and that they would like to continue practicing the activities in the future. Finally, Studies on the presentation of a variety of manipulative materials including those in this study that can used in problem-solving learning and other learning fields, and the methodology for the use of manipulative materials can be enhanced through further studies.
