• Journal of The Korean Association of Information Education
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.253-264
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• 2011

The 2007 revised curriculum designated information-related subjects informatics and changed the direction of education by stressing problem-solving skills in consideration of the characteristics of the subject. The purpose of this study was to examine whether the problem-solving method and process sections of informatics textbooks had an inquiry tendency to foster the problem-solving skills of students. Four textbooks that were widely selected from among the authorized textbooks were analyzed by utilizing Romey method. As a result, just one textbook was found to have an inquiry tendency in terms of texts, but every textbook had a sufficient inquiry tendency in terms of activities. But in terms of structure, there were some problems that commercial softwares were utilized and some softwares employed a particular programming language. The findings of the study suggest that no question should be posed about intrinsic inequality in conjunction with textbook selection, and that textbooks should be structured not to make students adversely affected by learning environments.

• Journal of Elementary Mathematics Education in Korea
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.81-105
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to analyze the perceptions of creativity in mathematics of preservice elementary school teachers. Creativity in Mathematics is one of the most important components in mathematics teaching and learning, which has been emphasized in the Principles and Standards for School Mathematics and the 2009 Revised Mathematics Curriculum. For this study, the researcher analyzed reports of creativity in mathematics in mathematics lessons from the perspectives of 55 preservice elementary school teachers. The preservice teachers observed 55 mathematics lessons focusing on creativity in mathematics during their two-week-student-teaching period. The results showed the followings. First, the preservice teachers had a narrow perceptions on creativity in mathematics. Second, observational experiences of mathematics lessons led the preservice teachers to reconsideration of creativity in mathematics. Third, the preservice teachers provided a various strategies to enhance students' creativity in mathematics. The researcher suggested the followings. First, definitions and practices of creativity in mathematics should be included in the teacher education programs. Second, mathematics textbooks should include creativity in mathematics in a sophisticated manner. Third, creativity-rich materials should be developed and distributed to teachers. Finally, well-designed teacher training programs should be necessary.

• Journal of Science Education
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.509-524
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• 2014

The purposes of this study were to develop a program utilizing learning strategies for underachieving middle school students in science and to identify the effectiveness of the program on the ability of using learning strategies and the improvement of science academic achievement. For this study, we developed the program of learning strategies consisting of eleven consecutive lesson plans focusing on the content of 2009 revised national science curriculum and applied the program to three underachieving students in science of 7th grade, who have weaker learning strategies that can be used for science study than other underachievers. After treatments, we analyzed the effectiveness of this program through science learning strategy tests, overall assessments, student-activity sheets, research logs, learning-transcription details, analysis of interviews with students, and observation of classes. According to this study, the enhancement of the ability of using learning strategies was limited because it was difficult for the students to change their fossilized strategies. On the other hand, their overall academic performance was considerably improved since the students became interested in studying science drawing on the learning strategies. Therefore, the program of learning strategies had a positive effect on improving the science underachievers' ability of using learning strategies and academic achievements.

• Communications of Mathematical Education
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.529-552
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• 2014

Recently, mathematical reasoning has been considered as one of the most important mathematical thinking abilities to be established in school mathematics. This study is to investigate the mathematical problems on the content of 'Set and Statement' and 'Sequences' in high school according to the four types of reasoning, namely Making Conjectures, Investigating Conjectures, Developing Arguments, and Evaluating Arguments. Those types of reasoning were reconstructed based on Johnson's six types of reasoning suggested in 2010. The content is dealt with in 'Mathematics II' textbook developed and published according to the mathematics curriculum revised in 2009. The subject of this study is nine types of textbooks and mathematical problems in the textbook are consisted of as two parts of 'general problem' and 'evaluation problem'. Finally, the results of this study can be summarized as follow: First, it is stated that students be establishing a logical justification activity, the highest reasoning activity through dealing with the 'Developing Arguments' type of problems affluently in both 'Set and Statement' and 'Sequence' chapters of Mathematics II textbook. Second, it is mentioned that students have an chance to investigate conjectures and develop logical arguments in 'Set and Statement' chapter of Mathematics II textbook. In particular, whereas they have an chance to investigate conjectures and also develop arguments in 'Statement', the 'Set' chapter is given only an opportunity of developing arguments. Third, students are offered on an opportunity of reasoning that can make conjectures and develop logical arguments in 'Sequences' chapter of Mathematics II textbook. Fourth, Mathematics II textbook are geared to do activities that could evaluate arguments while dealing with the problems relevant to 'mathematical process' included in 'general problem'.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.64 no.3
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• pp.159-174
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• 2020

The purpose of this study is to examine 'Design Thinking' based Chemistry Class program as an education strategy for core competence of creative convergence talent. The program stages were modified and supplemented into eight stages, including 'Knowledge Understand', 'Empathy', 'Sharing perspective', 'Ideate', '1st Prototype', '1st Test', '2nd Prototype', and '2nd Test', so that the 'Design Thinking Process in Science Education' can be applied to the chemistry class. Considering the linkage between the 2015 and 2009 revised national curriculum, the achievement criteria were selected, and the lesson plans and student activity sheet were developed according to the themes to be met. Four thematic educational programs were developed and applied to Chemistry I for the second grade of high school students from March to August. The results were verified through qualitative data analysis of the class scene and pre- and post-test based on inventories of 'Empathy' 'STEAM educational competence', 'Problem solving process'. As a result of applying the developed program, 'empathy' showed a significant improvement in empathy with others and empathy with the problem situation. In 'STEAM educational competence', there was a significant enhancement in science and design competence. In the 'problem finding process', the problem definition, problem solution design, and problem-solving review were significantly improved in the 'problem-solving process'. The results of this study provided implications for the applicability of design thinking - based chemistry classes and its educational effect.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.62 no.3
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• pp.214-225
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• 2018

In this study, we tried to find out how heat and thermal energy terms are defined and used in Korean science textbooks, and to see if there are any differences in the meaning of these terms used in different areas of science. For this purpose, the contents of 52 science textbooks of elementary, middle and high school published by the 2009 revised curriculum were analyzed. The definition of the term heat is given in the middle school Science(1) and the high school Physics I and II textbooks. Most textbooks define heat as "energy transferred due to a temperature difference (Type I)". Only one textbook of Physics I defines heat as "transfer of energy due to a temperature difference (Type II)". The definition of thermal energy is mostly presented in the middle school Science (2) and the high school Physics I textbooks. Physics I textbooks define the thermal energy as "molecular kinetic energy (Type III)", while Science(2) textbooks define it as Type I or "energy causes temperature change or phase transition of matter (Type IV)". In the texts of textbooks, heat is mainly used as the meaning of Type I or Type III. Thermal energy is mainly used as Type III, but it is also used as Type I in the high school Physics and Chemistry textbooks. The meanings of heat and thermal energy terms used are differed by the area of science. They are mainly used as type I or type III in Physics and Chemistry textbooks, and used as type III in Life Science and Earth Science textbooks.

• School Mathematics
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.301-322
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• 2016

Even though measurement is an important strand of elementary mathematics education, there has been lack of research in this field. This study analyzed topics related to length and time in a series of mathematics textbooks aligned to 2007 or 2009 revised mathematics curriculum. The analysis was focused on three aspects: (a) overall instructional components of measurement, (b) instructional components specific to the topics of measurement, and (c) key competencies in mathematics. The results of this study showed that many topics dealing with length and time were represented with relation to real-life contexts or other subjects. The meanings of measurement terms and the necessity of calculation were well explained but other aspects still had room for improvement when it comes to the necessity of measurement units, appropriate choice of units, and use of students' common misconceptions. Another noticeable result was that problem solving, communication, and reasoning among key competencies in mathematics have been emphasized in the mathematics textbooks. Based on these results, this study provides textbook writers with implications on what to further consider in dealing with length and time.

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

• School Mathematics
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.99-118
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• 2015

The purpose of this study is to investigate teachers' perception of core competencies and affective aspects in mathematics. For this purpose, a nationwide survey was conducted. The survey questionnaire consists of three core competencies including problem solving, reasoning and communication, and two affective aspects including good human nature and attitudes. The survey results were further analyzed based on school level, teaching experience, location of schools, and types of high schools. As a result, four findings were identified. First, elementary school teachers tend to put more emphasis on core competencies and affective aspects than secondary school teachers do. Second, in elementary school level, longer teaching experience is correlated with more positive perception of core competencies and affective aspects. However, there was an opposite tendency in secondary school level. Third, teachers working at schools in metropolitan cities tend to emphasize core competencies and affective aspects more than those at schools located in mid-sized cities and rural areas. Fourth, the school types in high school didn't seem to affect the teachers' perception on core competencies and affective aspects.

• Journal of the Korean School Mathematics Society
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.443-458
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• 2011

There has been a lively discussion on improving Korean students' academic achievement and the imbalance in their recognition of the value of mathematics. In this context, there is a need for a program that enables the majority students who regards mathematics as a subject for the entrance examination to recognize the practicality and historicity of mathematics. Educational books on mathematics in everyday life or the history of mathematics are also expected to serve as an effective tool. In addition, Web 2.0 Map is another means of representing mathematics in everyday life and the history of mathematics in connection with the practical context. The active storytelling process in which mathematics in the practical context in mathematical educational books is represented in Web 2.0 Map is expected to help to understand in depth the practicality and historicity of mathematics. Nevertheless, mathematical educational books and Web 2.0 Map may lead to a considerable variety of outcomes and speeds if carrying out tasks depending on the student's competence and may have practical difficulties in being operated in class. These concerns, however, can be resolved through the creative activity programs adopted in conformance with the 2009 revised curriculum. Therefore, this study intends to develop a program for creating mathematical story maps through mathematical educational books and the Mashup of Web 2.0 Map in accordance with the process of developing activity programs. This study also intends to determine its effectiveness in enabling students to recognize the practical and historical values of mathematics.