• Journal of Educational Research in Mathematics
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.453-475
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• 2007

School algebra starts with introducing algebraic expressions which have been one of the cognitive obstacles to the students in the transfer from arithmetic to algebra. In the recent studies on the teaching school algebra, algebraic thinking is getting much more attention together with algebraic expressions. In this paper, we examined the processes of the transfer from arithmetic to algebra and ways for teaching early algebra through algebraic thinking factors. Issues about algebraic thinking have continued since 1980's. But the theoretic foundations for algebraic thinking have not been founded in the previous studies. In this paper, we analyzed the algebraic thinking in school algebra from historico-genetic, epistemological, and symbolic-linguistic points of view, and identified algebraic thinking factors, i.e. the principle of permanence of formal laws, the concept of variable, quantitative reasoning, algebraic interpretation - constructing algebraic expressions, trans formational reasoning - changing algebraic expressions, operational senses - operating algebraic expressions, substitution, etc. We also identified these algebraic thinking factors through analyzing mathematics textbooks of elementary and middle school, and showed the middle school students' low achievement relating to these factors through the algebraic thinking ability test. Based upon these analyses, we argued that the readiness for algebra learning should be made through the processes including algebraic thinking factors in the elementary school and that the transfer from arithmetic to algebra should be accomplished naturally through the pre-algebra course. And we searched for alternative ways to improve algebra curriculums, emphasizing algebraic thinking factors. In summary, we identified the problems of school algebra relating to the transfer from arithmetic to algebra with the problem of teaching algebraic thinking and analyzed the algebraic thinking factors of school algebra, and searched for alternative ways for improving the transfer from arithmetic to algebra and the teaching of early algebra.

• School Mathematics
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.241-257
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• 2003

The goal of mathematics education in the 7-th national curriculum is focused on maximizing learning effectiveness through teaching mathematics, considering learning contents and levels appropriate to various levels of students' abilities. Thus, reduction of contents, learner-centered way of teaching, and multi-step differentiated learning are centered around the curriculum. However, in reality one of the most difficult problems mentioned by many inservice teachers is that students are not interested in school mathematics because some of them tended to learn mathematics in advance in private institutes and others felt difficult from school mathematics. Thus, alternative solutions are strongly required. When students are more interested in mathematics classes and instructional materials, as a more effective way of teaching, are appropriately used, problems mentioned above are expected to be solved. In order to solve problems, additionally, this study investigated the amount of time assigned to each area of mathematics textbooks from level 1-A to level 6-B, which are currently used in elementary school. This study also examined inservice teachers' views about how instructional materials should be used. This will be helpful on using and developing instructional materials, and it will lead to more exciting classes of mathematics. However, these teaching materials need to be carefully used regarding their relationships with pedagogical transfer, metacognitive movement, and localization.

• Education of Primary School Mathematics
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.289-307
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• 2018

Although mixed calculation of natural numbers is important in that it completes arithmetic calculation of natural numbers in elementary school, few studies have been conducted regarding its instruction methods. Given this, this study analyzed Korean mathematics textbooks (from the fifth textbooks to the 2009 revised textbooks) along with Japanese and Singaporean textbooks in terms of the parentheses and the order of operations regarding mixed calculation of natural numbers. The results of this study showed that there were differences in introducing the parentheses and representing them in an explicit way per textbooks. In the Korean textbooks, the order of operations was presented mostly with the real-life contexts but it was not always in a diagrammatic representation. In contrast, in the Singaporean textbooks, the order of operations was presented without the real-life contexts and the use of calculators was emphasized. In the Japanese textbooks, the order of operations was presented with the real-life contexts and a hierarchy of operations was emphasized. Based on these results, this study suggested several implications of textbook development and instructional methods regarding mixed calculations of natural numbers.

• Journal of Educational Research in Mathematics
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.19-37
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• 2004

In school mathematics, polygon and polyhedron are defined by vague terms such as "surrounded" or "formed" Moreover, the inclusion of boundary and interior in the definition of polygon and polyhedron is varied according to the context. Polygon and polyhedron are considered as "context-dependent concept" in school mathematics. Elementary school mathematics introduces a surface only in the context of solid, yet secondary school mathematics explains a surface as the trace of the line movement. From the perspective of fallabilism, it is possible and desirable to lead students to revise and improve their conceptions on polygon, polyhedron, and surface. It is more appropriate to name a face, an edge, and a vertex rather than to express a face of polyhedron, an edge of polyhedron, and a vertex of polyhedron in textbooks. The term "surface as a polygon" in secondary mathematics textbooks shows a conflict between intuitive approach in elementary school and logical approach in secondary school.

• School Mathematics
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.103-121
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• 2005

This article compares and analyzes mathematics textbooks of North Korea, South Korea, China and Japan and draws meaningful ways for introducing the division algorithm of fractions. The analysis is based on the five contexts: 'measurement division', 'determination of a unit rate', 'reduction of the quantities in the same measure', 'division as the inverse of multiplication or Cartesian product', 'analogy with multiplication algorithm of fractions'. The main focus of the analysis is what context is used to introduce the algorithm and how much it can appeal to students. This analysis supports that there is a few differences of introducing methods the division algorithm of fractions among those countries and more meaningful way can be considered than ours. It finally suggests that we teach the algorithm in a way which can have students easily see the reason of multiplying the reciprocal of a divisor when they divide with fractions. For this, we need to teach the meaning of a reciprocal of fraction and consider to use the context of determination of a unit rate.

• Communications of Mathematical Education
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.89-105
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• 2022

In this research, in order to obtain teaching/learning implications for effective use of questions when teaching number and operation area, the types of questions presented in chapters of number and operation area of 2015 revised elementary math textbooks and the function of questions were compared and analyzed by grade cluster. As a result of this research, the types of questions presented in chapters of number and operation area showed a high percentage of occurrences in the order of reasoning questions, factual questions, and open questions not calling for reasoning in common by grade cluster. And reasoning questions were predominant in all grade clusters. In addition, in all grade clasters, the proportion of questions acting as a function to help guess, invention, and solving problems and questions acting as a function to help mathematical reasoning were relatively high. As such, it can be inferred that the types and functions of the questions presented in chapters of number and operation area are related to the characteristics of the learning content by grade cluster. This research will be able to contribute to the preparation of advanced teaching/learning plans by providing reference materials in the questions when teaching number and operation area.

• Education of Primary School Mathematics
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.237-260
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• 2018

This study investigated the models of four countries' elementary mathematics textbooks in Ratio and Rate and identified how multiplicative perspectives on proportional relationships and the structure of proportion situations are reflected in the textbooks. For this, textbooks of 5th and 6th grade textbooks in Korea Japan, Singapore and U.S. are compared and analyzed. As a result, we can find multiplicative perspectives on proportional relationships and the structure of proportion situations on pictorial models, ratio tables, double number lines and double tape diagrams. Also, the development of Japanese textbooks from multiple batches perspectives to variable parts perspectives and the examples of the use with two models together implied the connection and union of two multiplicative perspectives. Based on these results, careful verification and discussion for the next textbook is needed to develop students' proportional reasoning and teach some effective reasoning strategies. And this study will provide the implication for what kinds of and how visual models are presented in the next textbook.

• Journal of Elementary Mathematics Education in Korea
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.769-788
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• 2010

This study analyzed the characteristics of units about ratio and rate between Korean mathematics textbooks and MIC of America. With bases to this, I would find the problems and suggested point of curriculums about ratio and rate in order to propose the basic materials of developing mathematic curriculum and textbook and improving the mathematic teaching method. With bases to this, Korean mathematics textbooks should be supplemented as follows. A. Develop the various problems with meaningful situation rather than the problems which can be solved with algorithms and rules. B. Develop the students' rational judgement competence with the situation that can induce the active communication. C. Develop the problem situation that need the student's activity. D. Let the students easily take the situation about ratio and rate with suggesting much visual mode and sustain their interest and positive learning attitude.

• Journal of Elementary Mathematics Education in Korea
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.355-376
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• 2010

This research was about analyzing students' major error types in the field of elementary 1st grade mathematics numbers and operations, and formulating and applying effective teaching methods to find out their effects. Among the errors the students were making, it was found that in the field of numbers there was more than 50% chance of making calculation mistakes in 50 rounds of rational counting. Also, in the field of operations, it was discovered that most of students' mistakes had to do with subtraction. The results from the classification of the 4 types of error showed that most errors were made from having inaccurate concept of knowledge and definition. Thus, it can be concluded that when elementary 1st grade teachers teach students mathematics, it is most important that they put best effort into firmly establishing the students fundamental concept, definition, facts, and functions. For that matter, students were interviewed one by one, and by implementing learning method using some concrete materials as tools, students were able to fix their own errors. More importantly, students were able to gain interest and become more willing to participate by joining in this program, which led to more effective guidance.

• Education of Primary School Mathematics
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.125-140
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• 2023

In elementary school mathematics, the addition and subtraction of fractions are difficult for students to understand but very important concepts. This study aims to examine the teaching methods and visual aids utilized in the context of common denominator fraction addition and subtraction. The analysis focuses on evaluating the lesson flow and the utilization of visual representations in one national textbook and ten certified textbooks aligned with the current 2015 revised curriculum. The results show that each textbook is composed of chapter sequences and topics that reflect the curriculum faithfully, with each textbook considering its own order and content. Additionally, each textbook uses a different variety and number of visual representations, presumably intended to aid in learning the operations of fractions through the consistency or diversity of the visual representations. Identifying the characteristics of each textbook can lead to more effective instruction in fraction operations.