• Education of Primary School Mathematics
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.251-278
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• 2022

The purpose of this study is to obtain implications for mathematical education by analyzing how the multiplication and division of decimal numbers are presented in the elementary mathematics textbooks in Korea, Japan, Singapore, and Finland. Compared to the fact that students often have misconceptions about multiplication and division of decimal numbers, there have been not many comparative studies in recent elementary mathematics textbooks. For this study, we selected elementary mathematics textbooks those are widely used in Japan, Singapore, and Finland along with Korean elementary mathematics textbooks. We chose the textbooks because the students in the selected countries have scored high in international achievement studies such as TIMSS and PISA. The analysis was examined in terms of elementary mathematics curriculum related to multiplication and division of decimal numbers, introduction and content, real-life situations, use of visual models, and formalization methods of algorithms. As a result of the study, the mathematics curricula related to multiplication and division of decimal numbers includes estimation in Korea and Finland, while Japan and Singapore emphasize real-life connections more, and Finland completes the operations in secondary schools. The introduction and content are intensively provided in a short period of time or distributed in various grades and semesters. The real-life situations are presented in a simple sentence format in all countries, and the use of visual models or formalization of algorithms is linked to the operations of natural numbers in unit conversions. Suggestions were made for textbook development and teacher training programs.

• Journal of Educational Research in Mathematics
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.403-420
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• 2016

Some of the critical changes in the revised 2015 Korean Mathematics curriculum were that direct proportion and inverse proportion were moved from elementary school to middle school and that supplementary content related to correlation was included. These decisions were based on comparative studies of international curriculum. Therefore in this study, we selected countries for comparison; United States, England, France, Finland, Australia, Japan, Singapore, China and Taiwan. We looked into the timing and scope for direct/inverse proportion and correlation in curricula of these countries. Along with this, we established four criteria; vertical sequence, horizontal sequence, external connection, and internal connection for an analysis framework. Then we compared and analysed the direct/inverse proportion and correlation in each curriculum. As a result, in most of these curricula, the direct/inverse proportions are introduced at middle school or are introduced at elementary school and then developed further at middle school. Most of curriculums on direct/inverse proportion and correlation match the four criteria. Correlation is introduced in high school mathematics in all counties except Finland and it is dealt in diverse context introducing related concepts, for example, correlation coefficient, regression straight line, and least square. We suggested that it is necessary to refer these international trends for the next revision of curriculum.

• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.250-259
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• 2013

This study was aimed at developing eco-STEAM educational programs based on smart learning, implementing the programs to verify their educational effectiveness, and exploring the possibilities for eco-education. The subjects of Science, Mathematics, Practical Arts, Arts, and Physical Education were analyzed to extract STEAM elements for the 5th and 6th grades at elementary school, and then 16 lessen plans were developed under 8 thematic strands. The programs were applied to classes of 5th and 6th graders, and then tested to see the effectiveness in terms of emotional experience, convergence, creative design and satisfaction. The average scores for post-test were statistically higher than those of pre-test(p<.001), showing positive effectiveness of the eco-STEAM programs developed. This study put out the following conclusions. First, the students got emotional experiences through inquiry and observation. Second, the programs helped students to learn about the environment in their contexts and provided a base for interdisciplinary approach. Third, the students in this study could have opportunities for improving their problem-solving abilities by using the creative design. Forth, the students' interests in the ecological topics were increased throughout regular curricula.

• Journal of the Korean School Mathematics Society
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.259-276
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to identify how didactic transposition (teaching and learning methods) has occurred and developed in the teaching of graphs in elementary school mathematics textbooks for third and fourth graders according to the previous and current curricula. In this study, we analyzed the lesson units on bar graphs and line graphs in mathematics textbooks for each curriculum, from the fifth curriculum to the 2015 revised curriculum. We also investigated the implication of statistics education deriving from didactic transposition (teaching and learning methods). We found that the timing of teaching bar and line graphs was rarely changed as the curriculum has changed. In addition, the use of technology was not actively implemented in school statistics, although the curriculum emphasized the use of technology in statistical education. Lastly, the textbooks did not address the variability and distribution of data and the sample or sampling process, which are significant statistical concepts. Based on the findings of this study, we suggest how to teach statistical graphs and what to consider for the next mathematics textbook.

• 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.

• Education of Primary School Mathematics
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.95-111
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• 2014

The purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between metacognition and math creative problem solving ability. Specific research questions set up according to the purpose of this study are as follows. First, what relation does metacognition has with creative math problem-solving ability of mathematically gifted elementary students? Second, how does each component of metacognition (i.e. metacognitive knowledge, metacognitive regulation, metacognitive experiences) influences the math creative problem solving ability of mathematically gifted elementary students? The present study was conducted with a total of 80 fifth grade mathematically gifted elementary students. For assessment tools, the study used the Math Creative Problem Solving Ability Test and the Metacognition Test. Analyses of collected data involved descriptive statistics, computation of Pearson's product moment correlation coefficient, and multiple regression analysis by using the SPSS Statistics 20. The findings from the study were as follows. First, a great deal of variability between individuals was found in math creative problem solving ability and metacognition even within the group of mathematically gifted elementary students. Second, significant correlation was found between math creative problem solving ability and metacognition. Third, according to multiple regression analysis of math creative problem solving ability by component of metacognition, it was found that metacognitive knowledge is the metacognitive component that relatively has the greatest effect on overall math creative problem-solving ability. Fourth, results indicated that metacognitive knowledge has the greatest effect on fluency and originality among subelements of math creative problem solving ability, while metacognitive regulation has the greatest effect on flexibility. It was found that metacognitive experiences relatively has little effect on math creative problem solving ability. This findings suggests the possibility of metacognitive approach in math gifted curricula and programs for cultivating mathematically gifted students' math creative problem-solving ability.

• Journal of Elementary Mathematics Education in Korea
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.105-129
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• 2016

The elements of mathematical processes include mathematical reasoning, mathematical problem-solving, and mathematical communications. Proportion reasoning is a kind of mathematical reasoning which is closely related to the ratio and percent concepts. Proportion reasoning is the essence of primary mathematics, and a basic mathematical concept required for the following more-complicated concepts. Therefore, the study aims to analyze the proportion reasoning ability of sixth graders of primary school who have already learned the ratio and percent concepts. To allow teachers to quickly recognize and help students who have difficulty solving a proportion reasoning problem, this study analyzed the characteristics and patterns of proportion reasoning of sixth graders of primary school. The purpose of this study is to provide implications for learning and teaching of future proportion reasoning of higher levels. In order to solve these study tasks, proportion reasoning problems were developed, and a total of 22 sixth graders of primary school were asked to solve these questions for a total of twice, once before and after they learned the ratio and percent concepts included in the 2009 revised mathematical curricula. Students' strategies and levels of proportional reasoning were analyzed by setting up the four different sections and classifying and analyzing the patterns of correct and wrong answers to the questions of each section. The results are followings; First, the 6th graders of primary school were able to utilize various proportion reasoning strategies depending on the conditions and patterns of mathematical assignments given to them. Second, most of the sixth graders of primary school remained at three levels of multiplicative reasoning. The most frequently adopted strategies by these sixth graders were the fraction strategy, the between-comparison strategy, and the within-comparison strategy. Third, the sixth graders of primary school often showed difficulty doing relative comparison. Fourth, the sixth graders of primary school placed the greatest concentration on the numbers given in the mathematical questions.

• Journal of the Korean School Mathematics Society
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.655-674
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• 2013

The MEST determined to introduce a vocational ability test for the students in vocational high schools to enhance their job competence skills from 2013 accepting the field voices that current competence test is not proper for vocational high schools whose purpose is job preparation education. The test results can be used as an official certificate in the job settlement process. The purpose of this study is to enhance the students's basic skills for mathematics in vocational high schools and in addition to that, to develop mathematics teaching materials aiming to support students in applying mathematics in real vocational world after their learning mathematics in high schools. It seems that the students in vocational high schools experiencing difficulties in mathematics because of the lack of the basic skills for mathematics demanding for the restructuring the mathematics curriculum aiming for empowering to the maximum of the potential abilities of students in vocational high schools. For this purpose, we extracted essential elements from mathematics curricula ranging from elementary schools to middle schools and vocational high schools what is necessary for students in specialized high schools to enhance the students' abilities in using mathematics in vocational area. Based on above study, we analyzed, organized, and systemized the contents and levels of mathematics. Finally, we proposed in this paper the ways to build programs to enhance the students' essential mathematics skills aiming to level up the students' vocational ability required in real vocational companies.

• Research in Mathematical Education
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.107-114
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• 2004

University teachers of linear algebra often feel annoyed and disarmed when faced with the inability of their students to cope with concepts that they consider to be very simple. Usually, they lay the blame on the impossibility for the students to use geometrical intuition or the lack of practice in basic logic and set theory. J.-L. Dorier [(2002): Teaching Linear Algebra at University. In: T. Li (Ed.), Proceedings of the International Congress of Mathematicians (Beijing: August 20-28, 2002), Vol. III: Invited Lectures (pp. 875-884). Beijing: Higher Education Press] mentioned that the situation could not be improved substantially with the teaching of Cartesian geometry or/and logic and set theory prior to the linear algebra. In East Asian countries, science-orientated mathematics curricula of the high schools consist of calculus with many other materials. To understand differential and integral calculus efficiently or for other reasons, students have to learn a lot of content (and concepts) in linear algebra, such as ordered pairs, n-tuple numbers, planar and spatial coordinates, vectors, polynomials, matrices, etc., from an early age. The content of linear algebra is spread out from grades 7 to 12. When the high school teachers teach the content of linear algebra, however, they do not concern much about the concepts of content. With small effort, teachers can help the students to build concepts of vocabularies and languages of linear algebra.

• Communications of Mathematical Education
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.119-134
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• 2020

Korea, where the national curriculum is run, can change school education by specifying basic competence in the common curriculum of elementary and middle schools for students to pursue school learning and real life. The numeracy as a basic competence should not be limited to mathematics, so it needs to be specified in the national curriculum covering several subjects and guided through various subject curriculums. To this end, the study proposed concepts, components, and levels of numeracy and proposed ways to reflect them in the national curriculum and other subjects' curricula. To ensure its validity, the UK, Canada and Australia curriculum are analyzed, and the results of the survey are proposed for various education experts. This study proposed two ways to briefly state the numeracy in the national curriculum and to imply the contents related to the numeracy in each subject curriculum, and to present the concepts, components and levels of numeracy in the national curriculum in detail and to describe numeracy code in each subject curriculum. These suggestions obtained high consent from experts.