• Communications of Mathematical Education
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.205-220
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• 2012

In this article convergent sequences with natural number terms are investigated and the behaviors of tails and limits of these natural number sequences are explored. Firstly this study showed how the pre-service teachers response to the intuitive limit definition using "getting closer" for constant sequences. As a case of convergent natural sequences, the sequences in which the latter term is determined by the sum of digit squares of the former term are considered. To exploring these sequences the computational and charting capabilities of spreadsheets are utilized and some mathematical findings are obtained. Spreadsheet can be instrumentalized by teachers or students to provide a laboratory-like environment to explore a mathematical problem.

• Journal of Educational Research in Mathematics
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.557-579
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• 2002

The purpose of this study is to find out the problems which are caused when the limit concept of sequences is learned through an intuitive definition and to suggest a way of solving those problems. Students in Korea study the limit concept of sequences through an intuitive definition. They fail to apply the intuitive definition properly to the problems and they are apt to have misconception even though the Intuitive definition is applied properly. To solve these problems, this study examined the develop- mental process of the limit concept of sequences from the Intuitive definition to the formal definition, and looked into the way of students' internalization of the process through a field study. In this study, the levels of the limit concept of sequences possessed by the students at ZPD are as follows; level 0 : Students understand the limit concept of sequences through the intuitive definition. level 1 : Students understand the limit concept of sequences as 'The difference between $\alpha$$_{n}$ and $\alpha$ approaches 0' rather than 'The sequence approaches $\alpha$ infinitely.' level 2 : Students understand the limit concept of sequences through the formal definition. The levels of students' limit concept development were analysed by those criteria. Almost of the students who studied the limit concept of sequences through the intuitive defition stayed at level 0, whereas almost of the students who studied through the formal definition stayed at level 1. Through the study, I found that it was difficult for the students to develop the higher level of understanding for themselves but the teachers and peers could help the students to progress to the higher level. Students' learning ability was one of major factors that make the students progress to the higher level of understanding as the concept was developed hierarchically from Level 0 to Level 2. If you want to see your students get to the higher level of understanding in the limit concept, you need to facilitate them to fully develop understanding in lower levels through enough experiences so that they can be promoted to the highest level.