• School Mathematics
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.155-173
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• 2011

Problem representation is a key aspect in solving word problems. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of instructional program based on visual schema representing five types of word problems(Marshall, 1995). Two second grade classes of an elementary school located in Seoul were participated in this study. In experimental class, an instructional program including schema tools were suggested and administered and the other comparison group did have regular classes using diagrams and tables. Pre and post test including 15 word problems each were utilized to test students' problem solving ability. In addition, test scores on students' language ability were used to control the effects of word comprehension level on problem solving. The result revealed that experimental group showed higher problem representation and solving scores after controling the effects of pre-test. In addition, there was significant positive correlation between the ability to apply exact problem schema and problem solving results. The correlation was .58. This study showed even in the early developmental stage young students can get benefits from having instructions of word problem schema.

• School Mathematics
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.85-107
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• 2012

Problem solving is important in school mathematics as the means and end of mathematics education. In elementary school, inductive reasoning is closely linked to problem solving. The purpose of this study was to examine ways of improving problem solving ability through analysis of inductive reasoning process. After the process of inductive reasoning in problem solving was analyzed, five different stages of inductive reasoning were selected. It's assumed that the flow of inductive reasoning would begin with stage 0 and then go on to the higher stages step by step, and diverse sorts of additional inductive reasoning flow were selected depending on what students would do in case of finding counter examples to a regulation found by them or to their inference. And then a case study was implemented after four elementary school students who were in their sixth grade were selected in order to check the appropriateness of the stages and flows of inductive reasoning selected in this study, and how to teach inductive reasoning and what to teach to improve problem solving ability in terms of questioning and advising, the creation of student-centered class culture and representation were discussed to map out lesson plans. The conclusion of the study and the implications of the conclusion were as follows: First, a change of teacher roles is required in problem-solving education. Teachers should provide students with a wide variety of problem-solving strategies, serve as facilitators of their thinking and give many chances for them ide splore the given problems on their own. And they should be careful entegieto take considerations on the level of each student's understanding, the changes of their thinking during problem-solving process and their response. Second, elementary schools also should provide more intensive education on justification, and one of the best teaching methods will be by taking generic examples. Third, a student-centered classroom should be created to further the class participation of students and encourage them to explore without any restrictions. Fourth, inductive reasoning should be viewed as a crucial means to boost mathematical creativity.

• East Asian mathematical journal
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.381-389
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• 2011

The flexible mathematical thinking - the ability to generate and connect various representations of concepts - is useful in understanding mathematical structure and variation in problem solving. In particular, the flexible mathematical thinking with the inventive mathematical thinking, the original mathematical problem solving ability and the mathematical invention is a core concept, which must be emphasized in all branches of mathematical education. In this paper, the author considered a case of flexible mathematical thinking with an inventive problem solving ability shown by his student via real analysis courses. The case is on the proofs of the equivalences of three different definitions on the concept of limit superior shown in three different real analysis books. Proving the equivalences of the three definitions, the student tried to keep the flexible mathematical thinking steadily.

• Journal of the Korean School Mathematics Society
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.165-174
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• 1998

This is the study on a teaching method for improving problem-solving ability in mathematics. If this method is performed step by step in solving problems, learners can approach problems in a variety of ways. This step-by-step teaching method will create some changes among learners. The purpose of this experiment was to determine what effects resulted from this method, especially which effects arose in the affective areas of learning math. For the experiment, learning materials were divided into 73 parts. And the subjects, who are low-leveled and have negative attitudes towards mathematics, were divided into two groups. One group was exposed to this method for four months (treatment group), and the other group(control group) was not. According to the result, though there were few changes, the treatment group came to be more interested in math than before and also negative attitudes towards math were reduced gradually, as compared with the control group. In this study, three factors were investigated: interest in math, attitudes toward math, and learning -achievement in math. Significant changes were found in two factors: interest in math and learning-achievement in math. No significant changes were found in the area of attitudes towards math. In conclusion, if this method is adopted and performed regularly, it is likely that the problem-solving skills will be improved and the negative attitudes towards math will be reduced.

• Journal of the Korean School Mathematics Society
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.241-258
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• 2015

The purpose of this paper is to examine the students' mathematics problem solving process in the intuitive stages. For this, researcher developed the questionnaire which consisted of problems in relation to intuitive and algorithmic problem solving. 73 fifth grade and 66 sixth grade elementary students participated in this study. I got the conclusion as follows: Elementary students' intuitive problem solving ability is very low. The rate of algorithmic problem solving is higher than that of intuitive problem solving in number and operation areas. The rate of intuitive problem solving is higher in figure and measurement areas. Students inclined to solve the problem intuitively in that case there is no clue for algorithmic solution. So, I suggest the development of problems which can be solved in the intuitive stage and the preparation of the methods to experience the insight and intuition.

• Journal of the Korean School Mathematics Society
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.717-746
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• 2014

The study aimed to explore how to improve mathematical thinking through metacognitive learning by stressing metacognitive abilities as a core strategy to increase mathematical creativity and problem-solving abilities. Theoretical exploration was followed by an analysis of correlations between metacognitive abilities and various ways of mathematical thinking. Various metacognitive teaching and learning methods used by many teachers at school were integrated for sharing. Also, the methods of learning application and assessment of metacognitive thinking were explored. The results are as follows: First, metacognitive abilities were positively related to 'reasoning, communication, creative problem solving and commitment' with direct and indirect effects on mathematical thinking. Second, various megacognitive ability-applied teaching and learning methods had positive impacts on definitive areas such as 'anxiety over Mathematics, self-efficacy, learning habit, interest, confidence and trust' as well as cognitive areas such as 'learning performance, reasoning, problem solving, metacognitive ability, communication and expression', which is a result applicable to top, middle and low-performance students at primary and secondary education facilities. Third, 'metacognitive activities, metaproblem-solving process, personal strength and weakness management project, metacognitive notes, observation tables and metacognitive checklists' for metacognitive learning were suggested as alternatives to performance assessment covering problem-solving and thinking processes. Various metacognitive learning methods helped to improve creative and systemic problem solving and increase mathematical thinking. They did not only imitate uniform problem-solving methods suggested by a teacher but also induced direct experiences of mathematical thinking as well as adjustment and control of the thinking process. The study will help teachers recognize the importance of metacognition, devise and apply teaching or learning models for their teaching environments, improving students' metacognitive ability as well as mathematical and creative thinking.

• The Mathematical Education
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• v.44 no.4 s.111
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• pp.525-534
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• 2005

The purpose of this study is to analyze difficulties in the density word problem solving process of seventh graders and to search for the way to increase their problem solving ability in the density word problem. The results of this study could help teachers diagnose students' difficulties involved in density word problem and remedy the understanding of the concept of density, algebraic expressions, and algebraic symbols.

• Journal of Educational Research in Mathematics
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.331-352
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• 2012

The purpose of the study is to verify what cognitive variables have significant effect on proportional problem solving. For this aim, the study classified proportional problem into well-structured, moderately-structured, ill-structured problem by the level of structuredness, then classified the cognitive variables as well into factual algorithm knowledge, conceptual knowledge, knowledge of problem type, quantity change recognition and meta-cognition(meta-regulation and meta-knowledge). Then, it verified what cognitive variables have significant effects on 6th graders' proportional problem solving abilities through multiple regression analysis technique. As a result of the analysis, different cognitive variables effect on solving proportional problem classified by the level of structuredness. Through the results, the study suggest how to teach and assess proportional reasoning and problem solving in elementary mathematics class.

• The Mathematical Education
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.523-540
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• 2010

The purpose of the study were to analyze MathThematics textbooks and Korean middle school mathematics and to investigate the difference among the textbooks in the view of mathematical communication. According to the results, the textbook developers made a variety of efforts to develope students' mathematical communication ability. Students were encouraged to communicate with others about their mathematical ideas or problem solving processes in words or writing by means of discussion, oral report, presentation, journal, etc. MathThematics textbooks provided student self-assessment opportunity to improve student performance in problem solving, reasoning, and communication. In communication assessment, students can assess their use of mathematical vocabulary, notation, and symbols, the use of graphs, tables, models, diagrams and equation to solve problem and their presentation skills. The assessment activities would make a positive impact on the development of students' mathematical communication ability. MathThematics textbooks provided a variety of problem situation including history, science, sports, culture, art, and real world as a topic for communication, however, the researcher found that some of Korean textbooks depends heavily on mathematical problem situations.

• Journal of the Korean School Mathematics Society
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.123-131
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• 2000

In order to educate future leaders of the new age, we should help students to increase their basic knowledge, thinking and problem solving ability. It is necessary that we should use multi-media, computer as well as old teaching-learning material to improve students' basic knowledge and to motivate their interest in mathematics in the small-sized Middle School situated on the agricultural and fishery village. In solving this problem, it is ultimately necessary that we should utilize CAI program on the learning achievement in mathematics for the students to understand basic concept, principle, law and to promote teaching-learning process considered on individual different abilities. Therefore, this study is on the effect of students' interest and learning achievement in mathematics when we develop CAI program focusing on the lesson statistics in the 3rd Grade Middle School Mathematics Textbook and explain the concept and principle of statistics through using exact and various techniques of computers