• Journal for History of Mathematics
• /
• v.21 no.4
• /
• pp.169-182
• /
• 2008

This study has been searching for reasoning process solving the problem effectively in activities related to meaningful classification of pieces and geometric properties with tangram. In activities using some pieces of tangram, we systematically came up with every solution in classifying properties of pieces and combining selected pieces. It is very difficult for regular students to do this tangram. In order to solve this problem effectively, we need to show that there are activities using the idea acquired in reasoning process. Through this process, we do not simply use tangram to understand he concept and play for interest but to use it more meaningfully. And the best solution an not be found by a process of trial and error but must be given by experience to look or it systematically and methods to reason it logically.

• School Mathematics
• /
• v.18 no.3
• /
• pp.647-666
• /
• 2016

This study investigates pre-service teacher's understanding of the concept and representations of irrational numbers. We classified the representations of irrational numbers into six categories; non-fraction, decimal, symbolic, geometric, point on a number line, approximation representation. The results of this study are as follows. First, pre-service teachers couldn't relate non-fractional definition and incommensurability of irrational numbers. Secondly, we observed the centralization tendency on symbolic representation and the little attention to other representations. Thirdly, pre-service teachers had more difficulty moving between symbolic representation and point on a number line representation of ${\pi}$ than that of $\sqrt{5}$ We suggested the concept of irrational numbers should be learned in relation to various representations of irrational numbers.

• Journal of the Korean association of regional geographers
• /
• v.6 no.3
• /
• pp.83-99
• /
• 2000

This paper purposes to provide a new perspective for better development of geography texts. For this purpose, we have applied spatial cognition development theory to children's drawings. We have suggested that children's spatial operation ability has three development stages according to their age: topological space, projective space, euclidean space. This study turns out that Piaget and Inhelder's spatial concept development theory is on the right track. However, we make clear that their division according to the age is not always accurate due to children's individual differences. These findings have educational implications as the following: First, it is dubious that most children can understand pictures, pictorial maps and illustrations in the third grader's textbook. Second, current textbooks require pictorial map understanding and drawing to third grade students and map drawing to fourth grade students. However, according to this study, the placement of these tasks are not fit for children's developmental stage because both tasks correspond to euclidean space operation. Therefore, we should remove them from the textbook for children at the age.

• School Mathematics
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.355-386
• /
• 2014

Algebraic generalization of patterns is based on the capability of grasping a structure inherent in several objects with awareness that this structure applies to general cases and ability to use it to provide an algebraic expression. The purpose of this study is to investigate how students generalize patterns using an algebraic object such as parameters and what are difficulties in geometric-arithmetic pattern tasks related to algebraic generalization and to determine whether the students can use parameters meaningfully through pattern generalization tasks that this researcher designed. During performing tasks of pattern generalization we designed, students differentiated parameters from letter 'n' that is used to denote a variable. Also, the students understood the relations between numbers used in several linear equations and algebraically expressed the generalized relation using a letter that was functions as a parameter. Some difficulties have been identified such that the students could not distinguish parameters from variables and could not transfer from arithmetical procedure to algebra in this process. While trying to resolve these difficulties, generic examples helped the students to meaningfully use parameters in pattern generalization.

• Journal of Elementary Mathematics Education in Korea
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.247-282
• /
• 2011

In the elementary school mathematics textbooks of the 7th national curriculum, just simple construction education is provided by having students draw a circle and triangle with compasses and drawing vertical and parallel lines with a set square. The purpose of this study was to examine the mathematical thinking of sixth-grade elementary school students in the construction process in a bid to give some suggestions on elementary construction guidance. As a result of teaching the sixth graders in gifted and nongifted classes about the equal division of line segments and evaluating their mathematical thinking, the following conclusion was reached, and there are some suggestions about that education: First, the sixth graders in the gifted classes were excellent enough to do mathematical thinking such as analogical thinking, deductive thinking, developmental thinking, generalizing thinking and symbolizing thinking when they learned to divide line segments equally and were given proper advice from their teacher. Second, the students who solved the problems without any advice or hint from the teacher didn't necessarily do lots of mathematical thinking. Third, tough construction such as the equal division of line segments was elusive for the students in the nongifted class, but it's possible for them to learn how to draw a perpendicular at midpoint, quadrangle or rhombus and extend a line by using compasses, which are more enriched construction that what's required by the current curriculum. Fourth, the students in the gifted and nongifted classes schematized the problems and symbolized the components and problem-solving process of the problems when they received process of the proble. Since they the urally got to use signs to explain their construction process, construction education could provide a good opportunity for sixth-grade students to make use of signs.

• School Mathematics
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.143-157
• /
• 2016

North Korea had been reorganized its educational curriculum and new contexts were authored in 2013. In this study, mathematics contexts of North Korean secondary school's first grade in 2009 and 2013 were investigated. And the changes of content structure, content development, and content composition were analyzed. Results were as follows: First, with respect to the content structure, 1 chapter decreased, while lesson number was intact and 4 subunits increased. Second, with respect to the content development, considerable changes were presented. The tendencies that encouraged student and pursued a student friendly form were investigated. Third, with respect to the content composition, obvious changes were presented. It was investigated that the ratio of numbers and number operations, letters and expressions decreased nearly half. And new contents were supplemented in the areas of patterns, geometry, functions, probability and statics, equation of figures, set and statement. This changes suggests that differences between contexts of South and North Korea is narrowing compared to the past. In conclusion, the direction of North Korean mathematical education is changing for the general direction of South Korean mathematical education.

• Communications of Mathematical Education
• /
• v.37 no.4
• /
• pp.635-652
• /
• 2023

This study conducts a comprehensive analysis of the curricular progression of the concepts and learning sequences of 'lines', specifically, 'line segments', 'straight lines', and 'rays', at the elementary school level. By examining mathematics curricula and textbooks, spanning from 2nd to 7th and 2007, 2009, 2015, and up to 2022 revised version, the study investigates the timing and methods of introducing these essential geometric concepts. It also explores the sequential delivery of instruction and the key focal points of pedagogy. Through the analysis of shifts in the timing and definitions, it becomes evident that these concepts of lines have predominantly been integrated as integral components of two-dimensional plane figures. This includes their role in defining the sides of polygons and the angles formed by lines. This perspective underscores the importance of providing ample opportunities for students to explore these basic geometric entities. Furthermore, the definitions of line segments, straight lines, and rays, their interrelations with points, and the relationships established between different types of lines significantly influence the development of these core concepts. Lastly, the study emphasizes the significance of introducing fundamental mathematical concepts, such as the notion of straight lines as the shortest distance in line segments and the concept of lines extending infinitely (infiniteness) in straight lines and rays. These ideas serve as foundational elements of mathematical thinking, emphasizing the necessity for students to grasp concretely these concepts through visualization and experiences in their daily surroundings. This progression aligns with a shift towards the comprehension of Euclidean geometry. This research suggests a comprehensive reassessment of how line concepts are introduced and taught, with a particular focus on connecting real-life exploratory experiences to the foundational principles of geometry, thereby enhancing the quality of mathematics education.

• Journal for History of Mathematics
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.33-44
• /
• 2007

This paper examines a historical case- the French Revolution- of conceptual change in mathematics. The case that is a space of possibility gave birth to a new community of mathematical practitioners. Carnot and Monge shared the particular conceptions of the problems, aims, and methods of a field and contributed to found Ecole Polytechnique. I intend to show how Carnot's and Monge's mathematical endeavours responded to social, political and technological developments in French society.

• Journal for History of Mathematics
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.73-88
• /
• 2007

In this paper, we study the symmetry of figures in elementary geometry. First, we investigate the historical and mathematical background of symmetry of figures and we explore the suitable teaching and learning methods for symmetry in elementary geometry. Also we study the major problem of geometry education that occurring in elementary school.

• Journal for History of Mathematics
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.139-156
• /
• 2008

We investigate the inducing method of irrational numbers in junior high school, under algebraic as well as geometric point of view. Also we study the treatment of irrational numbers in the 7th national curriculum. In fact, we discover that i) incommensurability as essential factor of concept of irrational numbers is not treated, and ii) the concept of irrational numbers is not smoothly interconnected to that of rational numbers. In order to understand relationally the incommensurability, we suggest the method for inducing irrational numbers using construction in junior high school.