• School Mathematics
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.353-370
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was threefold: (1) to select the components of spatial ability that could be associated with the implementation of a polycube task, embody the selected components of spatial ability as learning elements and develop the prototype of polycube teaching-learning materials applicable to gifted education, (2) to make a close analysis of the development process of the teaching-learning materials to ensure the applicability of the prototype, (3) to give some suggestions on the development of teaching-learning materials geared toward mathematically gifted classes. The findings of the study were as follows: As for the first purpose of the study, relevant literature was reviewed to make an accurate definition of spatial ability, on which there wasn't yet any clear-cut explanation, and to find out what made up spatial ability. After 13 components of spatial ability that were linked to a polycube task were selected, the prototype of teaching-learning materials for gifted education in mathematics was developed by including nine components in consideration of children's grade and level. Concerning the second purpose of the study, materials for teachers and students were separately developed based on the prototype, and the materials were modified and finalized in light of when selected students exerted their spatial ability well or didn't in case of utilizing the developed materials in class. And then the materials were finalized after being finetuned two times by regulating the learning type, sequence and degree of learning difficulty. Regarding the third purpose of the study, the polycube task performed in this study might not be generalizable, but there are seven suggestions on the development process of teaching-learning materials.

• Journal of Educational Research in Mathematics
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.327-344
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• 2011

This study is the first step for us toward improving high school students' capability of statistical inferences, such as obtaining and interpreting the confidence interval on the population mean that is currently learned in high school. We suggest 5 underlying concepts of 'discretion of contingency and inevitability', 'discretion of induction and deduction', 'likelihood principle', 'variability of a statistic' and 'statistical model', those are necessary to appreciate statistical inferences as a reliable arguing tools in spite of its occasional erroneous conclusions. We assume those 5 concepts above are to be gradually developing in their school periods and Korean mathematics textbooks of grades 1-12 were analyzed. Followings were found. For the right choice of solving methodology of the given problem, no elementary textbook but a few high school textbooks describe its difference between the contingent circumstance and the inevitable one. Formal definitions of population and sample are not introduced until high school grades, so that the developments of critical thoughts on the reliability of inductive reasoning could not be observed. On the contrary of it, strong emphasis lies on the calculation stuff of the sample data without any inference on the population prospective based upon the sample. Instead of the representative properties of a random sample, more emphasis lies on how to get a random sample. As a result of it, the fact that 'the random variability of the value of a statistic which is calculated from the sample ought to be inherited from the randomness of the sample' could neither be noticed nor be explained as well. No comparative descriptions on the statistical inferences against the mathematical(deductive) reasoning were found. Few explanations on the likelihood principle and its probabilistic applications in accordance with students' cognitive developmental growth were found. It was hard to find the explanation of a random variability of statistics and on the existence of its sampling distribution. It is worthwhile to explain it because, nevertheless obtaining the sampling distribution of a particular statistic, like a sample mean, is a very difficult job, mere noticing its existence may cause a drastic change of understanding in a statistical inference.

• Journal of Elementary Mathematics Education in Korea
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.907-935
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of using open-ended problems in ability-level activities in mathematics instruction and to draw some informative conclusions in order to improve the practice of teaching and learning mathematics in the elementary school. To fulfill the purpose, the research questions were established as follows: 1. Is there any difference between the academic achievements of the experimental group(doing ability-level activities using open-ended problems) and the control group(doing general ability-level activities)? 2. Which sub-group(grouped by achievement score in pretest) get affected most by ability-level activities using open-ended problem in the experimental group? 3. What kinds of responses do students show in their ability-level activities using open-ended problems? By applying t-test and analysing the response, the conclusions were drawn as follows: First, using open-ended problems in ability-level activities has positive effects on the academic achievement of the experiment group. The mean of posttest scores of the experiment group was statistically meaningfully higher(p<.05). Second, using open-ended problems in ability-level activities affect most to the achievement of lower sub-group in the experiment group. The mean of posttest scores of lower sub-group in the experiment group was statistically meaningfully higher than that of control group(p<.05). Third, students showed various and creative response in their ability-level activities using open-ended problems.

• Journal of The Korean Association of Information Education
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.451-462
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• 2017

This study selected 3D printing that is highly likely to be adopted in schools. This research was conducted in two stages: 1) proposing the learning activity framework for utilizing 3D printing in education, and 2) exploring the potential of integrating 3D printing in the school field. The '3D printing learning activity framework' proposed in this study includes four phases that are categorized according to the complexity of problem-solving processes and collaborative interaction: Step 1 as production through replication, Phase 2 as means of imaginary expression, Phase 3 as near problem-solving, and Phase 4 as expanded problem-solving. Next, we conducted the field study with 23 students in the 6th grade math class where they learned the various solid shapes and volumes through 3D printing-integrated activities. The lesson was considered as Phase 1, which is the production through replication. Overall, the results showed that the participants had positive perceptions about the efficacy of 3D printing activities, the quality of learning experience, and satisfaction. On the other hand, it was found that the usability of 3D printers and CAD program needs further improvement The contribution of this study can be found in the learning activity framework that can guide 3D printing activity design in school, and in the exploration of enhancing the connection between 3D printing activities and curricular relevance beyond simple interest toward a novel technology.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.417-428
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• 2022

This study analyzed the frequency and level of scientific practices presented in secondary science textbooks. A total of 1,378 student activities presented in 14 middle school science textbooks and 5 high school integrated science textbooks were analyzed, using the definition and level of scientific practice suggested in the NGSS. Findings show that most student activities focus on three practices. Compared to the textbooks for the previous science curriculum, the practice of 'obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information' was more emphasized, reflecting societal changes due to ICT development. However, the practice of 'asking a question', which can be an important element of student-led science learning, was still rarely found in textbooks, and 'developing and using models', 'using math and computational thinking' and 'arguing based on evidence' were not addressed much. The practices were mostly elementary school level except for the practice of 'constructing explanations'. Such repeated exposures to a few and low level of practices mean that many future citizens would be led to a naïve understanding of science. The findings imply that it is necessary to emphasize various practices tailored to the level of students. In the upcoming revision of the science curriculum, it is necessary to provide the definition of practices that are not currently specified and the expected level of each practice so that the curriculum can provide sufficient guidance for textbook writing. These efforts should be supported by benchmarking of overseas science curriculum and research that explore students' ability and teachers' understanding of scientific practices.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.78-98
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to analyze elementary school students' interpretation of data characteristics by cognitive style. Participants were elementary students in sixth grade who can use integrated inquiry process skills. The students were divided into two groups, analytic cognitive style and wholistic cognitive style according to their response to Cognitive Style Analysis. They performed scientific interpretation of data activity. To collect data for this study, participants recorded the result on scientific interpretation of data activity paper and researcher recorded the situation on videotape and interviewed with participants after the end of interpretation of data to get additional data. And the findings of this study were as follows: First, the study analyzed interpretation of data characteristics by the operator regarding different situations of interpreting data according to cognitive style. For example, in the intermediate state, analytic-cognitive style students showed high achievement in identifying variables, and wholistic-cognitive style students were active in using prior knowledge to interpret data. Second, the result of analysis on the direction of interpreting data and preference for data types in interpreting data activities according to cognitive style are as follows: Wholistic-cognitive style students showed relatively high perception of information through the top-down approach. On the other hand, analytic-cognitive style students usually used the bottom-up approach gradually expanding detailed information to the scientific question-related answer and showed a preference data of the table type. Through the result, this study aimed to help establish a data interpretation strategy for learners to solve problems based on understanding of interpretation of data characteristics according to learners' cognitive style, and purposed the instruction design suggesting the data requiring various data interpretation strategies to develop learners' data interpretation ability.