• Journal of Educational Research in Mathematics
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.715-730
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• 2016

The purpose of this study is to analyze Descartes's point of view on the mathematical connection of algebra and geometry which help comprehend the traditional frame with a new perspective in order to access to unsolved problems and provide useful pedagogical implications in school mathematics. To achieve the goal, researchers have historically reviewed the fundamental principle and development method's feature of analytic geometry, which stands on the basis of mathematical connection between algebra and geometry. In addition we have considered the significance of geometric solving of equations in terms of analytic geometry by analyzing related preceding researches and modern trends of mathematics education curriculum. These efforts could allow us to have discussed on some opportunities to get insight about mathematical connection of algebra and geometry via geometric approaches for solving equations using the intersection of curves represented on coordinates plane. Furthermore, we could finally provide the method and its pedagogical implications for interpreting geometric approaches to cubic equations utilizing intersection of conic sections in the process of inquiring, solving and reflecting stages.

• School Mathematics
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.523-533
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• 2007

This article focused the meaning of Pythagoras' and Euclid's proof about the Pythagorean theorem in a historical and mathematical perspective. Pythagoras' proof using similarity is based on the arithmetic assumption about commensurability. However, Euclid proved the Pythagorean theorem again only using the concept of dissection-rearrangement that is purely geometric so that it does not need commensurability. Pythagoras' and Euclid's different approaches to geometry have to do with Birkhoff's axiom system and Hilbert's axiom system in the school geometry Birkhoff proposed the new axioms for plane geometry accepting real number that is strictly defined. Thus Birkhoff's metrical approach can be defined as a Pythagorean approach that developed geometry based on number. On the other hand, Hilbert succeeded Euclid who had pursued pure geometry that did not depend on number. The difference between the proof using similarity and dissection-rearrangement is related to the unsolved problem in the geometry curriculum that is conflict of Euclid's conventional synthetical approach and modern mathematical approach to geometry.

• Journal of Educational Research in Mathematics
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.371-402
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• 2016

The aim of this study is to compare mathematics curriculum among the United States, Singapore, England, Japan, Australia and Korea and offer suggestions to improve mathematics curriculum of Korea in the future. In order to attain these purposes, the analysis was conducted in many aspects including mathematics education system, mathematics courses, mathematics contents, assessment syllabus for university entrance examination and the construction principles of mathematics curriculum. In the light of the results of this study, our suggestions for improving mathematics curriculum of Korea are as follows: revising the contents of analysis, geometry, probability and statistics strands; organizing curriculum based on spiral construction principle; providing various opportunities to select mathematics courses according to students'career; reflecting the contents of their courses in university entrance examination.

• The Mathematical Education
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.197-219
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• 2008

Unlike ordinary situations, deifinitions play a very important role in mathematics education in schools. Mathematical concepts have been mainly acquired by given definitions. However, according to didactical intentions, mathematics education in schools has employed mathematical concepts and definitions with less strict forms than those in pure mathematics. This research mainly discusses definitions used in geometry (promising) course in primary schools to cope with possibilities of creating misconception due to this didactical transformation. After analyzing problems with potential misconceptions, a survey was conducted $\underline{with}$ 80 primary school teachers in Jeju to investigate their recognitions in meaning of mathematical concepts in geometry and attitudes toward teaching. Most of the respondents answered they taught their students while they knew well about mathematical definitions in geometry but the respondents sometimes confused mathematical concepts of polygons and circles. Also, they were aware of problems in current mathematics textbooks which have explained figures in small topics (classes). Here, several suggestions are proposed as follows from analyzing teachers' recognitions and researches in mathematical viewpoints of definitions (promising) in geometric figures which have been adopted by current mathematics textbooks in primary schools from the seventh educational curriculum. First, when primary school students in their detailed operational stage studying figures, they tend to experience $\underline{a}$ collision between concept images acquired from activities to find out promising and concept images formed through promising. Therefore, a teaching method is required to lessen possibility of misconceptions. That is, there should be a communication method between defining conceptual definitions and Images. Second, we need to consider how geometric figures and their elements in primary school textbooks are connected with fundamental terminologies laying the foundation for geometrical definitions and more logical approaches should be adopted. Third, the consistency with studying geometric figures should be considered. Fourth, sorting activities about problems in coined words related to figures and way and time of their introductions should be emphasized. In primary schools mathematics curriculum, geometry has played a crucial role in increasing mathematical ways of thoughts. Hence, being introduced by parts from viewpoints of relational understanding should be emphasized more in textbooks and teachers should teach students after restructuring this. Mathematics teachers should help their students not only learn conceptual definitions of geometric figures in their courses well but also advance to rigid mathematical definitions. Therefore, that's why mathematics teachers should know meanings of concepts clearly and accurately.

• East Asian mathematical journal
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.207-239
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• 2013

This research is a study on student's understanding fundamental concepts of mathematical curriculum, especially in geometry domain. The goal of researching is to analyze student's concepts about that domain and get the mathematical teaching methods. We developed various questions of descriptive assessment. Then we set up the term, procedure of research for the understanding student's knowledge of geometric figures. And we analyze the student's understanding extent through investigating questions of descriptive assessment. In this research, we concluded that most of students are having difficulty with defining the fundamental concepts of mathematics, especially in geometry. Almost all the students defined the fundamental conceptions of mathematics obscurely and sometimes even missed indispensable properties. And they can't distinguish between concept definition and concept image. Prior to this study, we couldn't identify this problem. Here are some suggestions. First, take time to reflect on your previous mathematics method. And then compile some well-selected questions of descriptive assessment that tell us more about student's understanding in geometric concepts.

• 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.

• Journal of Educational Research in Mathematics
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.139-159
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• 2000

The experimental software such as Cabri II, The Geometer's Sketchpad, etc. provides dynamic environment which construct and explore geometric objects interactively and inductively. It has the effects on mathematics itself differently from other technologies that are used in instruction. What is its characteristics\ulcorner What are the educational implication of it for the learning of geometry\ulcorner How is mental reasoning of geometric problems changed by transformation of the means of representation and the environment to manipulate them\ulcorner In this study, we answer these questions through the review of the related literatures and the analysis of textbooks, teaching materials using it and curricular materials. Also, we identify implications about how the criteria for choosing geometic content and the ways of constructing context, for orchestrating the students' exploration with the secondary geometry curriculum, can be changed.

• Research in Mathematical Education
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.349-377
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• 2009

In this work we present a study undertaken with in-service mathematics teachers of primary and secondary school where we describe and analyze the didactical competences needed to implement an innovative design in geometry applying Van Hiele's models. The relationship between such competences and an ideal teacher profile is also studied. Teachers' epistemology is established in terms of didactical competences and we can see that this epistemology is an element that helps us understand the difficulties that teachers face in practice when implementing an innovative curriculum, in this case, geometry based on the Van Hiele theory.

• Education of Primary School Mathematics
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.57-70
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• 2013

This study is aimed to compare the area of geometry of elementary mathematics textbooks in korea and china. Through this study, we would like to suggest some guidelines in order to develop geometric curriculum and textbooks in korea and to search for more efficient methods of learning mathematics. For this, we have looked through the general characteristics of geometry domain in mathematics curriculums and the textbooks in korea and china. Furthermore, we have found the similarities and differences while comparing specific contents in the two countries. The followings are the conclusions of this study. First, The mathematics curriculum in korea is divided into 'figure' domain, but the one in china is divided into 'space and figure' domain, which deals with figure and measurement. And china constructs the contents of the basic figure as a whole unit. Second, korea gives clear learning aims about contents whereas china gives learning activities. Lastly, when starting teaching a plain figure, korea focuses on checking and finding definitions and characters through fundamental figures. However, china focuses on figuring out components and the relations among them throughout various plain figure activities.

• School Mathematics
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.355-372
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• 2001

The primary school mathematics emphasizes some activities such as visualizing figures, drawing figures and comparing figures from various angles. These activities could be undertaken throughout examination, experiments and exploration of the substantial materials. They could also be undertaken by using the objects found in a daily life informally. The 7th curriculum of mathematics reflects this trend and includes the systematized activities in teaching spatial sense in geometry. However, it still requires more researches on the teaching methodology of spatial sense and the conceptual analysis of spatial sense. In this study, the concept of spatial sense is analyzed and Mackim's 3-levels teaching methodology and Bruner's EIS theory and suggestions are reviewed as a possible teaching methodology of spatial tasks. As a conclusion, this study suggests a teaching-learning methodology of spatial tasks at the levels of 2-GA and 3-Ga of the 7th curriculum of mathematics.