• Communications of Mathematical Education
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• v.20 no.4 s.28
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• pp.561-574
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• 2006

Mathematical creativity has been confused with general creativity or mathematical problem solving ability in many studies. Also, it is considered as a special talent that only a few mathematicians and gifted students could possess. However, this paper revisited the mathematical creativity from a mathematics educator's point of view and attempted to redefine its definition. This paper proposes a model of creativity in school mathematics. It also proposes that the basis for mathematical creativity is in the understanding of basic mathematical concept and structure.

• Communications of Mathematical Education
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• v.20 no.4 s.28
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• pp.603-619
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• 2006

One of the most important aims in mathematics education is to enhance students' problem-solving abilities. To achieve this aim, in real school classrooms, many educators have examined and developed effective teaching methods, learning strategies, and practical problem-solving techniques. Among those trials, it is noticeable that Engel, Zeits, Shapiro and other not a few mathematicians emphasized 'Invariance Principle' as a mean of solving problems. This study is to consider the basic concept of 'Invariance Principle', analyze 'Invariance' concept in secondary Mathematics contents on the basis of framework of 'Invariance Principle' shown by Shapiro and discuss some instructional issues to occur in the process of it.

• Education of Primary School Mathematics
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.63-73
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• 2000

The purpose of this paper is to address He possibility of the teaching of 'proof' in elementary mathematics, on the assumption that proof in school mathematics should be used in the broader, psychological sense of justification rather than in the narrow sense of deductive, formal proof. 'Proof' has not been taught in elementary mathematics, traditionally. Most students have had little exposure to the ideas of proof before the geometry. However, 'Proof' cannot simply be taught in a single unit. Rather, proof must be a consistent part of students' mathematical experience in all grades. Or educators and mathematicians need to rethink the nature of mathematical proof and give appropriate consideration to the different types of proof related to the cognitive development of a notion of proof.

• Journal for History of Mathematics
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.37-51
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• 2018

In this paper, our main concern is the historical development of the Finsler geometry in Debrecen, Hungary initiated by L. Berwald. First we look into the research trend in Berwald's days affected by the $G{\ddot{o}}ttingen$ mathematicians from C. Gauss and downward. Then we study how he was motivated to concentrate on the then completely new research area, Finsler geometry. Finally we examine the course of establishing Hungarian Debrecen school of Finsler geometry via the scholars including O. Varga, A. $Rapcs{\acute{a}}k$, L. $Tam{\acute{a}}ssy$ all deeply affected by Berwald after his settlement in Debrecen, Hungary.

• Journal for History of Mathematics
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.47-59
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• 2019

Hua Loo-Keng(华罗庚, 1910-1985) is one of well-known prominent Chinese mathematicians. While Waring problem is one of his research interests, he made lots of contributions on various mathematical fields including skew fields, geometry of matrices, harmonic analysis, partial differential equations and even numerical analysis and applied mathematics, as well as number theory. He also had devoted his last 20 years to the popularization of mathematics in China. We look at his personal and mathematical life, and consider the meaning of his activity of popularizing mathematics from the cultural perspective to understand the recent rapid developments of China in sciences including mathematics and artificial intelligence.

• Journal for History of Mathematics
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.1-15
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• 2019

We divide the timeline of the history of Finsler geometry, which dates back to Riemann's inaugural lecture in 1854, into three periods (hibernation, hiatus, rebirth) and we study formation of Romanian Finsler school around Iasi, Romania during the hiatus period. We look for the history centered around Radu Miron who is a third generation geometer of Iasi University and the mathematical heritage there through five generations. We also investigate mathematical impact of T. Levi-Civita, D. Hilbert, ${\acute{E}}$ Cartan who are considered as top mathematicians at their time.

• Research in Mathematical Education
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.147-166
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• 2023

Mathematics is a science of pattern. Mathematics is a subject of inquiring which aims at discovering the models hidden behind the world. Pattern is abstraction and generalization of the model. Mathematical pattern is a higher level of mathematical model. Mathematics patterns are often hidden in pattern similarity. Creation of mathematics lies largely in discovering the pattern similarity among the various components of mathematics. Inquiring is the core and soul of mathematics teaching. It is very important for students to study mathematics like mathematicians' exploring and discovering mathematics based on pattern similarity. The author describes an example about how to guide students to carry out mathematics inquiring based on pattern similarity in classroom.

• Communications of Mathematical Education
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.471-488
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• 2019

This paper aims to examine how mathematical history is used in $ textbooks according to the 2015-Revised Curriculum. We analyze the distribution and characteristics of making use of the mathematical history in the nine textbooks, using the framework suggested by Jankvist (2009) on the whys and hows of using historical tasks. First, the tasks related to mathematical history in the textbooks are mostly used as an affective tool, while few tasks are used as a cognitive tool. Second, most of the historical tasks of the type of an affective tool are introducing the anecdotes of mathematicians or in the history of mathematics, and only one case is trying to show human nature of mathematics by illuminating the difficulties mathematicians were faced with. Third, all the mathematical history tasks used as affective tools and goals are illumination materials, while only two out of the ten tasks in the category of a cognitive tool are illumination materials, yet eight others are modular ones. Considering the importance and value of using mathematical history in the math education, this paper recommends that more modular materials on mathematical history tasks in the category of cognitive tools and goals should be developed and their deployment in the textbooks or courses should be promoted. $

• Communications of Mathematical Education
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.515-530
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• 2016

Recently an extensive study of the mathematicians who have overcome the visually impaired and contribute to the academic in math was published. In the case of Korea, we can find there are mathematicians who have overcome physical disabilities such as cerebral palsy and polio. However there is no example of blind person who majored mathematics to become a mathematic's teacher or professor and have entered any mathematics related professions. This let us to study the reasons that caused difficulties to visually impaired students majoring in mathematics. We also suggest ways that may help blind students to have access to mathematics intuitively. In this study, we propose a tactile mathematics textbooks and teaching manuals utilizing 3D printing which the visually impaired students can touch and feel. We can supply such materials to visually impaired youth, special education teachers and parents in Korea. As a result, visually impaired students will be able to access mathematics easily and can build their confidence in mathematics. We hope that some blind students with mathematical talent do not hesitate to major mathematics and choose career in mathematical professions.

• Journal for History of Mathematics
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.19-48
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• 2008

In this paper, the life of Emmy Noether is reviewed in context of today's society where progress in social and educational equality for women have not significantly impacted the participation of women mathematician at the highest level of mathematics study. Recent studies have shown that there is little or no gender difference in mathematics performance if the women are treated equally in the country. Yet, the number of women scientists/mathematicians at the university level or related research centers are very low for all countries including the U.S. as well as Korea. Emmy Noether became a mathematician in early 20th century Germany where women were discouraged(not allowed) from even studying mathematics at the University. She overcame gender, racial, and social prejudices of the time to become one of the greatest mathematicians of the 20th century as a founding contributor of Abstract Algebra. Overcoming all the difficulties to focus on the study of mathematics to contribute at the highest level of mathematics provides an example of leadership for both men and women that is relevant today. Especially for women, Emmy Noether's life is a study in perseverance for the love of mathematics that proves that there is no gender difference even at the highest level of mathematics.