• 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 for History of Mathematics
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.19-39
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• 2022

This paper aims to examine how the public perception of mathematics changed in England in the 19th century. As rapid industrial and social developments took place in the 19th century, the educational environment underwent great changes, and the value and public perception of mathematics also changed. Mathematics took a new position in the terrain of educational reform in the late 19th century. In this study, I analyzed the actual condition of mathematics education in elementary and secondary schools, popular educational institutions, and universities in England in the first half, middle, and second half of the 19th century, and compared what values and usefulness of mathematics education were justified in each institution. I also examined how satirical magazine Punch satirized the public understanding or view on mathematics at each period. It is to be hoped that this study will have significant implications for raising the public's positive perception of mathematics in modern society.

• Journal of Elementary Mathematics Education in Korea
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.843-863
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• 2010

The basic purpose of 2007 revision curriculum is content of activity oriented, management of differentiated instruction, communication, introduction of story mathematics, mathematical exploration and problem solving ability and so on. In this paper, we investigate some characteristics of number teaching in the primary school of New Zealand. Especially, focused on materials and methods and so on. So we've got the following results. First, there are no fundamental differences in materials and methods in teaching number between Korea and New Zealand but in New Zealand there are no national textbook like us so there is a possibility not to teach number systematically like our Korea. On the contrary, they divide number region from one to six level and are offering achievement objects, suggestive learning experiences, sample assessment activities for each level and also they do not guide activities itself in detail like us and so have learners themselves think about the given problems. Second, there is a strategy stage in getting knowledge about number in New Zealand and so children can take advantage of this steps according to the type of problems. Third, it must be developed some materials and idea to reach the learning purpose rousing interest of children.

• Journal of Educational Research in Mathematics
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.95-108
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• 2002

In this article we drew out five definition-methods in school geometry. They are called synonymous method, denotative method, analytic method. And we analyzed them theoretically. On our analysis we tried to identify the level of common sense and the level of science in definition of those two levels on the definition-methods of circle. While the definition-method in elementary school could be regarded as the level of common sense, that in middle school could be considered as the level of science. Finally, we made the following didactical comments. Definitions in school mathematics might have the levels as regard to their roles. Thus, Mathematics teachers, curriculum developers, and text authors all need to recognize the subtle differences in the level of definition-methods.

• Communications of Mathematical Education
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.1131-1148
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• 2009

Algebra is one of the important subjects that not only mathematics but many science major students should know at least at the elementary level. Unfortunately abstract algebra, specially, is seen as an extremely difficult course to learn. One reason of difficulties is because of its very abstract nature, and the other is due to the lecture method that simply telling students about mathematical contents. In this paper we study about the teaching and learning abstract algebra in universities in corporation of a programming language such as ISETL. ISETL is a language whose syntax closely imitates that of mathematics. In asking students to read and write code in ISETL before they learn in class, we observe that students can much understand and construct formal statements that express a precise idea. We discuss about the classroom activities that may help students to construct and internalize mathematical ideas, and also discuss about some barriers we might overcome.

• Journal of Elementary Mathematics Education in Korea
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.247-282
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• 2011

In the elementary school mathematics textbooks of the 7th national curriculum, just simple construction education is provided by having students draw a circle and triangle with compasses and drawing vertical and parallel lines with a set square. The purpose of this study was to examine the mathematical thinking of sixth-grade elementary school students in the construction process in a bid to give some suggestions on elementary construction guidance. As a result of teaching the sixth graders in gifted and nongifted classes about the equal division of line segments and evaluating their mathematical thinking, the following conclusion was reached, and there are some suggestions about that education: First, the sixth graders in the gifted classes were excellent enough to do mathematical thinking such as analogical thinking, deductive thinking, developmental thinking, generalizing thinking and symbolizing thinking when they learned to divide line segments equally and were given proper advice from their teacher. Second, the students who solved the problems without any advice or hint from the teacher didn't necessarily do lots of mathematical thinking. Third, tough construction such as the equal division of line segments was elusive for the students in the nongifted class, but it's possible for them to learn how to draw a perpendicular at midpoint, quadrangle or rhombus and extend a line by using compasses, which are more enriched construction that what's required by the current curriculum. Fourth, the students in the gifted and nongifted classes schematized the problems and symbolized the components and problem-solving process of the problems when they received process of the proble. Since they the urally got to use signs to explain their construction process, construction education could provide a good opportunity for sixth-grade students to make use of signs.

• Journal of Elementary Mathematics Education in Korea
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.415-441
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• 2017

The purpose of this study is to develop elementary school math classes for the gifted and talented with a focus on social issues to investigate the possibility of character education through specialized subject classes. As suggested in the goals of the math education for social justice, which provide the fundamental theoretical basis, through mathematics activities with a theme of social issues, mathematically gifted and talented young students can critically perceive social issues, express a sense of mathematical and critical agency throughout the course and develop a willingness and mindset to contribute to social progress. In particular, the concept of Figured Worlds and agency is applied to this study to explain the concept of elementary math classes for the gifted and talented with a focus on social issues. The concept is also used as the theoretical framework for the design and analysis of the curriculum. Figured Worlds is defined as the actual world composed of social and cultural elements (Holland et al., 1998) and can be described as the framework used by the individual or the social structure to perceive and interpret their surroundings. Agency refers to the power of practice that allows one to perceive the potential for change within the Figured Worlds that he is a part of and to change the existing Figured Worlds. This study sees as its purpose the fostering of young talent that has the agency to critically perceive the social structure or Figured Worlds through math classes with a theme of social issues, and thus become a social capital that can contribute to social progress.

• Communications of Mathematical Education
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.171-199
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• 2022

In this study, we review contents to supplement the descriptions of the history of mathematics in the 2015 mathematics textbooks and teacher guides for the elementary school level and offer our opinion on them. For this purpose, we conducted a literature review on 24 types of 2015 mathematics textbooks and teacher guides for the elementary school level. The results of this study are as follows: A total of 10 topics were found whose contents were supplemented with descriptions. They were the "Arithmetic of the Ancient Egyptians," the "A'h-mosè Papyrus in Mathematics Textbooks of the Ancient Egyptians," "The Old Akkadian Square Band in Mesopotamia," "The Relationship of the Old Babylonians in Mesopotamia with the Angle," "The Pi of the Ancient Egyptians and the Old Babylonians," "The Square Roots 2 of the Ancient Egyptians and the Old Babylonians," "The Relationship of the Islamites with the Decimal Fraction," "Two Arguments for the Roots of the Golden Ratio," "The Relationship of Archimedes with the Exhaustion Method," and "The Design of Flats." Then, their specific supplements were suggested. It is expected that this will overcome the perspective of the history of the Axial Age and acknowledge and accept the perspective evidencing the transfer of mathematical culture from Ancient Egypt and Old Babylonia to Ancient Greece and Hellenism, and then through Central Asia to Europe.

• Education of Primary School Mathematics
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.127-137
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• 2000

Based on the contents of probability and statistics areas in the seventh curriculum, we developed a statistics education model programmed by visual basic for upper grade students of elementary schools. The model that was consisted of ten modules can be easily manipulated by elementary schools students. The objects with a variety of colors are presented on P.C monitor and dynamic functions are performed by clicking a mouse. According to the survey after using the model, students positively evaluated the contents and characteristics and showed great interest in the model. We will upload the execution files of the model on our homepage. One can download and use them free.

• Education of Primary School Mathematics
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2002

The objectives of the current study are on the practical use of geoboard in an elementary school class. To do this, we first investigate how come geoboard is significant in a practical use. Second, we present an example of practical use of geoboard connecting with the analysis of the 7th curriculum. Third, we investigate the results of geoboard which is applied to elementary school class. The results of this research are as follows: First, the instruction of using geoboard can give an interest and curiosity to all students. Second, right triangle, rectangle, square and so on can be easily constructed because geoboard is linked by dots. Third, by constructing figures on geoboard and comparing figures which is made by themselves, students could better understand the concept of figures rather than the explanation of teacher. fourth, students can be improved the ability of problem solving and spatial sense by providing experience for exploration. Fifth, students need not to have anxiety for error because geoband is used and so can be corrected easily.