• School Mathematics
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.179-202
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• 2015

In this research, I explored how to apply the history of mathematics in teacher education and investigated the applicability of Chosun Sanhak (mathematics of Chosun Dynasty) as the program that enriched the mathematical knowledge for teaching of prospective elementary school teachers. This program included not only mathematical knowledge but also socio-cultural knowledge and connection knowledge. Prospective teachers participated in various mathematical activities such as explaining, reasoning and problem solving in this program. The effects of this program are as follows. Prospective teachers learned the subject matter knowledge(SMK) which was helpful in teaching basic concepts and skills of elementary mathematics. Next, this program produced the pedagogical content knowledge(PCK) to prospective teachers by giving ideas how to teach.

• Journal of the Korean School Mathematics Society
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.77-89
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• 2017

Although it is not necessary to have much mathematical knowledge in Major Courses of Animal Resources curriculums in agricultural high school, the function of mathematics class has a much effect on Major Courses. Therefore, we extracted the mathematics contents included in Major Courses of Animal Resources curriculums in agricultural high school, and also evaluated students' understanding according to the description method in textbooks of Major Courses. Furthermore, we analyzed students' preference about the description method in textbooks related to the Major Courses. As a result, it turns out that the level of mathematics contents of Animal Resources major curriculums does not break bounds of middle school level. Furthermore, many students are not able to solve the middle school level of problems. It is also shown that the most preferred description method in textbooks of Animal Resources major curriculums is the sentence-equation mixed type. In this study, we propose to reconstruct the mathematics contents with basic knowledge needed to complete the Major Courses in order that students can complete them more easily, and furthermore, to choose the description method in textbooks of Major Courses as sentence-equation mixed type and detailed explanation about terms should be included into the bargain.

• Korean Journal of Cognitive Science
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.159-219
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• 2016

Mathematical ability is important for academic achievement and technological renovations in the STEM disciplines. This study concentrated on the relationship between neural basis of mathematical cognition and its mechanisms. These cognitive functions include domain specific abilities such as numerical skills and visuospatial abilities, as well as domain general abilities which include language, long term memory, and working memory capacity. Individuals can perform higher cognitive functions such as abstract thinking and reasoning based on these basic cognitive functions. The next topic covered in this study is about individual differences in mathematical abilities. Neural efficiency theory was incorporated in this study to view mathematical talent. According to the theory, a person with mathematical talent uses his or her brain more efficiently than the effortful endeavour of the average human being. Mathematically gifted students show different brain activities when compared to average students. Interhemispheric and intrahemispheric connectivities are enhanced in those students, particularly in the right brain along fronto-parietal longitudinal fasciculus. The third topic deals with growth and development in mathematical capacity. As individuals mature, practice mathematical skills, and gain knowledge, such changes are reflected in cortical activation, which include changes in the activation level, redistribution, and reorganization in the supporting cortex. Among these, reorganization can be related to neural plasticity. Neural plasticity was observed in professional mathematicians and children with mathematical learning disabilities. Last topic is about mathematical creativity viewed from Neural Darwinism. When the brain is faced with a novel problem, it needs to collect all of the necessary concepts(knowledge) from long term memory, make multitudes of connections, and test which ones have the highest probability in helping solve the unusual problem. Having followed the above brain modifying steps, once the brain finally finds the correct response to the novel problem, the final response comes as a form of inspiration. For a novice, the first step of acquisition of knowledge structure is the most important. However, as expertise increases, the latter two stages of making connections and selection become more important.