• The Mathematical Education
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• v.63 no.2
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• pp.255-272
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• 2024

This study aims to design mathematics-integrated classes that cultivate artificial intelligence (AI) thinking and to analyze students' AI thinking within these classes. To do this, four classes were designed through the integration of the AI4K12 Initiative's AI Big Ideas with the 2015 revised elementary mathematics curriculum. Implementation of three classes took place with 5th and 6th grade elementary school students. Leveraging the computational thinking taxonomy and the AI thinking components, a comprehensive framework for analyzing of AI thinking was established. Using this framework, analysis of students' AI thinking during these classes was conducted based on classroom discourse and supplementary worksheets. The results of the analysis were peer-reviewed by two researchers. The research findings affirm the potential of mathematics-integrated classes in nurturing students' AI thinking and underscore the viability of AI education for elementary school students. The classes, based on AI Big Ideas, facilitated elementary students' understanding of AI concepts and principles, enhanced their grasp of mathematical content elements, and reinforced mathematical process aspects. Furthermore, through activities that maintain structural consistency with previous problem-solving methods while applying them to new problems, the potential for the transfer of AI thinking was evidenced.