• The Mathematical Education
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.149-167
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• 2009

This study was aimed to examine problem-solving ability of fifth graders on two types of mathematical essay problems, and to analyze the process of mathematical justification in solving the essay problems. For this purpose, a total of 14 mathematical essay problems were developed, in which half of the items were single tasks and the other half were data-provided tasks. Sixteen students with higher academic achievements in mathematics and the Korean language were chosen, and were given to solve the mathematical essay problems individually. They then were asked to justify their solution methods in groups of 4 and to reach a consensus through negotiation among group members. Students were good at understanding the given single tasks but they often revealed lack of logical thinking and representation. They also tended to use everyday language rather than mathematical language in explaining their solution processes. Some students experienced difficulty in understanding the meaning of data in the essay problems. With regard to mathematical justification, students employed more internal justification by experience or mathematical logic than external justification by authority. Given this, this paper includes implications for teachers on how they need to teach mathematics in order to foster students' logical thinking and communication.

• Journal of The Korean Association of Information Education
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.311-318
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• 2010

In this paper, we proposed the integrated education program of informatics and math for solving problem using EPL. We applied a integrated math curriculum with EPL and analyzed mathematical thinking and attitude to the 3rd and 5th students. We used mathematical thinking test, mathematical attitude test and interview through student review. We also analyzed data of observers who are elementary school teachers. The results of test are as follows; First, we found effective points of meta-cognition and visualization of thought in solving the mathematical problem using Scratch. Second, mathematical thinking and attitude showed the result that 3rd grade students are more increased than 5th grade students in pre and post t-test of the mathematical. Consequently, we expect that the integrated education program of informatics and math using EPL can be applied to solve problem in math effectively.

• Communications of Mathematical Education
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.409-432
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• 2017

The purpose of this study is to find out the importance of process - based evaluation and to find a way to set up and operate the formative assessment which is getting attention. As one of the ways, we investigated the effect of formative assessment through student's interactive feedback on mathematics achievement and attitude of fourth grade students in elementary school. In order to conduct the study, two groups of homogeneous grades were selected. In the experimental group, formative assessment was conducted through student's interactive feedback. In comparison group, formative assessment was conducted through self - confirmation feedback. Statistical analysis of the results after the experiment showed that the formative assessment through student's interactive feedback was found to have a positive effect on the improvement of mathematics achievement. In addition, the formative assessment through student's interactive feedback positively changed the mathematics attitude. Therefore, this suggests that applicability of formative assessment through student's interactive feedback in elementary school classroom instruction, as well as implications for follow - up study for effective implementation of formative assessment.

• Journal of Elementary Mathematics Education in Korea
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.93-113
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• 2017

This research analyzed the cases of math competencies-oriented assessment, integrating assessment and instruction, which had been conducted in an elementary school whose assessment system involves frequent tests from a formative perspective on assessment. The research outcome is as follows: First, the competencies-oriented assessment of integrating instruction made possible for curriculum restructuring and competencies-oriented teaching, whereas more emphasis needs to be focused on the assessment feedback. Second, assessment on math competencies involves multiple dimensions; therefore, it needs to be managed to prevent problems arising due to overlap between different competencies. Third, though it has been identified that with evaluation it is possible to recognize and gradually improve the areas short of competency, more practical studies need to be conducted in this regard. Fourth, even with the fact that various types of evaluation ensure its fairness, make an accurate interpretation of the evaluation result before arriving at a comprehensive assessment.

• School Mathematics
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.691-709
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• 2016

Understanding the belief of mathematics pre-service teachers is essential in conducting and designing the effective teacher education program. This study analyzed the mathematical belief of the elementary school pre-service teachers. The results of the study are as follows. First, persistence factor, which is the belief about solving mathematical problems, following teacher direction factor, which is the belief about mathematical studies, activity involvement factor, and interest factor, which is the belief about self-concept, showed much connection with other mathematical belief factors. Second, the stereotype factor, which is the belief about mathematics, are affecting the following teacher direction factor. The process factor, which is the belief about solving mathematical problems, are affecting the activity involvement factor. Third, as for the comparison of the mathematical beliefs according to grades, only the stereotype and usefulness factors, which are the beliefs about mathematics, and the benefit factor, which is the belief about self-concept, had statistically significant differences. Fourth, as for the comparison of the mathematical beliefs according to majors, all the mathematical beliefs except for the confidence factor and benefit factor, which is the belief about self-concept, had significant differences. Based on the results of this study, we need to establish the mathematical beliefs that the elementary school pre-service teachers should have, and prepare various measures such as education program for pre-service teachers and instruction-learning methods.

• The Mathematical Education
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.437-462
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• 2010

The purpose of this research is to analyze the textbook contents about the natural number concepts in the Korean National Elementary Mathematics Curriculum. Understanding a concept of natural number is crucial in school mathematics curriculum planning, since elementary students start their basic learning with natural number system. The concepts of natural number have various meaning from the perspectives of pedagogical research, and the philosophy of mathematics. The natural number concepts in the elementary math curriculum consist of four aspects; counting numbers, cardinal numbers, ordinal numbers, and measuring numbers. Two research questions are addressed; (1) How are the natural number concepts focusing on counting, cardinal, ordinal, measuring numbers are covered in the national math curriculum? ; (2) What suggestions can be made to enhance the teaching and learning about the natural number concepts? Findings reveal that (1) the national mathematics curriculum properly reflects four aspects of natural number concepts, as the curriculum covers 50% of the cardinal number system; (2) In the aspect of the counting number, we hope to add the meaning about 'one, two, three, ......, and so on' in the Korean Mathematics curriculum. In the ordinal number, we want to be rich the related meaning in a set. Further suggestions are made for future research to include them ensuing number in the curriculum.

• The Mathematical Education
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• v.59 no.2
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• pp.147-166
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• 2020

Textbooks are important resources in support of teaching and learning mathematics competencies which are emphasized in the most recently revised mathematics curriculum. This study analyzed how six mathematics competencies and their sub-elements are implemented in the mathematics textbooks for the fifth and sixth grades. A total of 465 activities or items in the targeted textbooks were analyzed. The findings of this study showed that both the communication competence and the reasoning competence were the most frequent competencies, followed by the problem solving competence. In contrast, the other three competences (i.e., creativity and integration, attitude and practice, and information processing) were less popular. Detailed analyses of sub-elements according to each competence revealed that one or two specific sub-elements were emphasized within a competence. Whereas "expressing one's idea" was the most prevalent sub-element in the communication competence, both "analyzing mathematical facts" and "observation and conjecture" were the most frequent in the reasoning practice. Specific sub-elements were jointly implemented within or across competences. "External connections of mathematics and integration" in the creativity and integration competence was carried out in relation to "recognition of values" in the attitude and practice competence. This paper also included some examples of activities or items showing how specific sub-elements of each competence were reflected on. This study is expected to provide implications on how to implement mathematics competencies throughout the textbooks.

• Journal of Educational Research in Mathematics
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.335-352
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• 2008

The purpose of this research was to investigate the descriptive evaluation method that focuses on the problem solving process of the student. The goal was to evaluate the students' understanding of the subject rather than the students' ability to find the final answer. The descriptive evaluation is being suggested as a way of examining the thought process of the student by performing a structured analysis of the problem solving process. Today, there are not enough descriptive evaluation resources available for teachers to effectively carry out this alternative assessment method in the elementary school mathematics curriculum. This research is a case study on the development of resources for descriptive evaluation in grade 4 mathematics. We designed the development process for descriptive evaluation and its rubric for all 8 units of the 4-Na level of mathematics in the elementary school curriculum. Three descriptive problems were developed for each of the 8 units for a total of 24 problems. The rubric consisted of three areas of assessment, 1) understanding of the problem, 2) problem solving, and 3) mathematical communication. The problems were first pilot tested in two 4th grade classes. Modified problems were then tested in a different 4th grade classroom. The study showed that the three defined areas of evaluation framework (problem understanding, problem solving and mathematical communication) were measurable and analyzable using the developed grading rubric. We then conclude that he descriptive evaluation could be used as an effective tool for improving teacher performance in elementary school mathematics.

• Journal of Elementary Mathematics Education in Korea
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.1-15
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• 2016

In this paper, the following three issues are discussed in connection with intensive quantities. (1) Is there any relationship among intensive quantity, per unit quantity, and ratio? (2) Which intensive quantities obtained by two same extensive quantities are handled? And How are they handled? (3) Which intensive quantities obtained by two different extensive quantities are handled? And How are they handled? Based on the results of this discussions, three implications are suggested as conclusions to explore the direction for the development of handling intensive quantities in elementary math textbooks and workbooks. Firstly, it is necessary to systematize the systemize a series of processes to handle intensive quantities. There is a need to rethink to use terms like speed and velocity before handling the ratio. Secondly, there is a need to rethink the definition of intensive quantities which have the particular names. For example, it is necessary to rethink using average distance in the definition of speed and the average population in the definition of density of population. Thirdly, it is necessary to consider the limiting the kinds of intensive quantities obtained by two same extensive quantities handled in the elementary math. There is a need to set limit to them which are used in daily life, and there is a need to rethink to use them which are used in the specialized area. There is a need to rethink the using hitting ratio in the form of %.

• Journal of Elementary Mathematics Education in Korea
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.745-768
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• 2010

The purpose of this study at gifted students' solving ability of the given study task by using all knowledge and tools which encompass mathematical contents and curriculums, and developing the teaching learning materials of gifted students in accordance with their level which tan enhance their mathematical thinking ability and develop creative idea. With these considerations in mind, this paper sought for the standard and procedures of teaching learning materials development according to the levels for the education of the mathematically gifted students. presented the procedure model of material development, produced teaching learning methods according to levels in the task of figurate number, and developed prototypes and examples of teaching learning materials for the mathematically gifted students. Based on the prototype of teaching learning materials for the gifted students in mathematics in accordance with their level, this research developed the materials for students and materials for teachers, and performed the modification and complement of material through the field application and verification. It confirmed various solving processes and mathematical thinking levels by analyzing the figurate number tasks. This result will contribute to solving the study task by using all knowledge and tools of mathematical contents and curriculums that encompass various mathematically gifted students, and provide the direction of the learning contents and teaching learning materials which can promote the development of mathematically gifted students.