• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.110-125
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• 2018

The purpose of the study was to explore the effect of using discussions and debates in science laboratory classes on science learning motivation, science process skills, and science academic achievement. Participants in this study were 6th grade students at an elementary school. Students in the experimental group participated in science laboratory classes using discussions and debates while students in the comparative group participated in common laboratory classes with a teacher-directed approach. The results of this study are as follows: by using discussions and debates in science laboratory classes, there were statistically positive effects on the students' science learning motivation and science process skills. However, there was no statistically significant difference in science academic achievement by using discussions and debates. Even so, in the narrative survey of the students'reactions after the class, students in the experimental group responded that it was much easier to understand the meaning of the scientific concepts when they used discussions and debates. Therefore, there is a need to investigate how to use discussions and debates effectively by introducing them at different time or in different ways, rather than considering that discussions and debates have no effect on science achievement. These findings provide science teachers and researchers pedagogical implications about utilizing discussions and debates in science classes.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.16 no.8
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• pp.332-344
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• 2016

This study aimed at investigating the effects of grouping participants in pairs according to their relative vocabulary proficiency on the incidental improvement of vocabulary knowledge. Forty six university students were divided into three groups (high-high(n=14), high-low(n=18), or low-low(n=14)) and took part in the study. They performed three vocabulary activities in pairs as extra-class works. Data were collected from one receptive vocabulary knowledge test scores before treatment and two posttest scores after treatment. The results showed that, unlike former study results, HL dyads acquired more vocabulary receptively and productively than HH or LL dyads did, which demonstrated that collaborative pair activity was conducive to the growth of vocabulary knowledge. Furthermore, not only higher proficiency participants in HL pairs made greater vocabulary gains than participants in HH pairs did but also lower proficiency participants gained more vocabulary than participants in LL pairs did. Based on these results, we discussed pedagogical implications.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.15 no.7
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• pp.629-642
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• 2015

The aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy of pair/group work on the improvement of receptive and productive vocabulary knowledge. One hundred and twelve university students participated in the study and they were divided into three groups. Pair work group(n=42) performed three vocabulary activities in pairs as extra-class works, and Individual work group(n=38) did them alone. On the other hand, Group work group(n=32) did the activities in groups consisting of four or five people during the class. Data were collected from one pretest and two posttest scores. The results showed that collaborative group work was conducive to the growth of both receptive and productive vocabulary knowledge. In contrast, pair groups who do not work collaboratively gained least vocabulary knowledge among three groups. From collaborative group work, participants in higher proficiency levels made greater vocabulary gains than those at lower levels. Based on these results, pedagogical implications are discussed.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.30 no.7
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• pp.897-908
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• 2009

Inscriptions are integral parts of the current science textbooks, and become medium that makes sense of scientific concepts effectively. This study analyzed the inscriptions from five science textbooks at the secondary level in terms of its type, function, and structures. Analyzing types of inscriptions resulted that the ratio of frequently used photographs and illustrations were much higher than that of graphs and tables used. In case of function analysis, illustrative and complementary functions were dominant in terms of frequency and ratio, whereas explanatory, decorative and inquisitive functions were relatively rare. Inscriptions of single structure was much more than multiple structure. Multiple structure of pair and series were mainly used for representing contrast and sequence, respectively. The proportion of inscriptions in type, function and structure across the textbooks was significantly different. Based on the results, it was suggested that semiotic study about the function and the structure of inscriptions need to be carried out in earth science area to better understand the pedagogical implications of inscriptions in school science.

• Journal of Elementary Mathematics Education in Korea
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.361-383
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• 2011

This study is on teaching about the areas of plane figures through open instruction, which aims to discover the pedagogical meanings and implications in the application of open methods to math classes by running the Math A & B classes regarding the areas of parallelogram, triangle, trapezoid and rhombus for fifth graders of elementary school through open instruction method and analyzing the educational process. This study led to the following results. First, it is most important to choose proper open-end questions for classes on open instruction methods. Teachers should focus on the roles of educational assistants and mediators in the communication among students. Second, teachers need to make lists of anticipated responses from students to lead them to discuss and focus on more valuable methods. Third, it is efficient to provide more individual tutoring sessions for the students of low educational level as the classes on open instruction methods are carried on. Fourth, students sometimes figured out more advanced solutions by justifying their solutions with explanations through discussions in the group sessions and regular classes. Fifth, most of students were found out to be much interested in the process of thinking and figuring out solutions through presentations and questions in classes and find it difficult to describe their thoughts.

• Education of Primary School Mathematics
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.173-188
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• 2014

The aim of the case study presented in this paper was to explore mathematics curriculum knowledge of a South Korean elementary teacher. An in-depth case study is applied to examine mathematics curriculum knowledge that influences teachers' instructional process including analysis of diverse artifacts such as lesson plan, observation and interviews. Findings of this study suggest that mathematics curriculum knowledge has direct relevance to teaching a lesson, designing a lesson and assessing students' work. In addition, this study identified that mathematics curriculum knowledge may be divided into two sub-categories: vertical mathematics curriculum knowledge and horizontal mathematics curriculum knowledge. The results of this case study help our understanding of South Korean elementary teachers' mathematics curriculum knowledge, which has a deep impact on their teaching practice. Moreover, this cross-national research offers implications for researchers, policymakers, and teachers in U.S. as well as those in South Korea.

• Journal of Educational Research in Mathematics
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.461-477
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• 2009

In this study, an operational analysis in the context of linear equations is presented. For the analysis, several second-order models concerning students' whole number knowledge and fraction knowledge based on teaching experiment methodology were employed, in addition to our first-order analysis. This ontogenetic analysis begins with students' Explicitly Nested number Sequence (ENS) and proceeds on through various forms of linear equations. This study shows that even in the same representational forms of linear equations, the mathematical knowledge necessary for solving those equations might be different based on the type of coefficients and constants the equation consists of. Therefore, the pedagogical implications are that teachers should be able to differentiate between different types of linear equation problems and propose them appropriately to students by matching the required mathematical knowledge to the students' potential constructs.

• Journal of Educational Research in Mathematics
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.663-682
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• 2016

This study conducted an analysis of strategies that the 3rd to 6th grade elementary students used when they were solving problems of comparing the size of the fractions with like and unlike denominators, and unit fractions. Although there were slight differences in the students' use of strategies according to the problem types, students were found to use the 'part-whole strategy', 'transforming strategy', and 'between fractions strategy' frequently. But 'pieces strategy', 'unit fraction strategy', 'within fraction strategy', and 'equivalent fraction strategy' were not used frequently. In regard to the strategy use that is appropriate to the problem condition, it was found that students needed to use the 'unit fraction strategy', and the 'within fraction strategy', whereas there were many errors in their use of the 'between fractions strategy'. Based on the results, the study attempted to provide pedagogical implications in teaching and learning for comparing the size of the fractions.

• Journal of Gifted/Talented Education
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.183-194
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• 2015

In this study, we identified the elements of teachers'expertise for the science gifted in science high school, and examined teacher perceptions of expertise. Through previous studies and expert consultations, 5 categories such as subject knowledge, inquiry teaching, pedagogical knowledge, student guidance and school work were derived. Based on these 5 categories and sub-element, a questionnaire was constructed. Total 284 mathematics and science teachers from 19 science high schools across the country responded to the survey. The desirable level of expertise and current level of responding teachers' own expertise were examined and compared to each other, and group comparisons were accomplished according to teacher career, type of degree and final degree. Some implications are suggested for the professional development for teachers of the science gifted.

• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.9-23
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• 2009

This research defined professionality of science teacher from the perspective of PCK. An teaching strategy in the in-service teacher training for the gifted education was proposed based on the definition and implemented at an in-service teacher training program for the gifted education in order to explore about the teaching strategy and suggest practical implications that could improve the program. The in-service teacher training teaching strategy proposed in this research consists of three components: 'crafting activity materials', 'conducting inquiry-based experiment', 'developing rubric for identification of giftedness'. The survey carried out for the participants of the teacher training program showed that teachers perceived the importance of the need for the rubric for gifted identification, developing activity materials for the gifted education in science, and developing the rubric of gifted identification as properties for in-service teacher training programs fur the gifted education. However, the insufficiency of time and opportunities for being fully engaged in such a program made teachers feel lack of self-confidence in developing activity materials for the gifted education in science and rubric for gifted identification. Therefore, teacher training programs reflecting real features of the gifted education should be constantly developed and provided to enhance the effectiveness of in-service teacher training programs.