• Human Ecology Research
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.193-204
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• 2017

This study examines the effect of 5-year-old children's mathematical problem solving ability and their self-esteem based on the Havruta method using math storybooks. The subjects of this study were 40 5-year-old students attending a kindergarten in the Incheon area: 20 students comprised the treatment group and 20 students comprised the control group. An instrument originally created by Ward (1993) but adapted by Hwang (1997) and later modified by Ryu (2003) was used to test the children's mathematical problem solving abilities. A modified version (Kim, 1997) of an instrument developed by Harter and Pike (1984) was used to measure children's self-esteem. Test results were analyzed using SPSS ver. 18.0 for Windows. The findings are as follows. First, the treatment group that had Havruta classes utilizing math story books was found to improve significantly more than the control group in their mathematical problem solving ability. Havruta classes had positive effects on children's mathematical problem solving abilities. Second, there was no significant difference found between the two groups in terms of self-esteem when the children's self-esteem was compared after Havruta classes that utilize math storybooks. It may not be possible to see immediate changes in children's self-esteem because positive parent and teacher feedback had the strongest influence on 5-year-old children's self-esteem, as opposed to self-learning. The results of this study provide meaningful basic data for Havruta classes that focus on questions and discussions through math story books to increase children's mathematical problem solving abilities in the child education field.

• Journal of the Korean School Mathematics Society
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.443-458
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• 2011

There has been a lively discussion on improving Korean students' academic achievement and the imbalance in their recognition of the value of mathematics. In this context, there is a need for a program that enables the majority students who regards mathematics as a subject for the entrance examination to recognize the practicality and historicity of mathematics. Educational books on mathematics in everyday life or the history of mathematics are also expected to serve as an effective tool. In addition, Web 2.0 Map is another means of representing mathematics in everyday life and the history of mathematics in connection with the practical context. The active storytelling process in which mathematics in the practical context in mathematical educational books is represented in Web 2.0 Map is expected to help to understand in depth the practicality and historicity of mathematics. Nevertheless, mathematical educational books and Web 2.0 Map may lead to a considerable variety of outcomes and speeds if carrying out tasks depending on the student's competence and may have practical difficulties in being operated in class. These concerns, however, can be resolved through the creative activity programs adopted in conformance with the 2009 revised curriculum. Therefore, this study intends to develop a program for creating mathematical story maps through mathematical educational books and the Mashup of Web 2.0 Map in accordance with the process of developing activity programs. This study also intends to determine its effectiveness in enabling students to recognize the practical and historical values of mathematics.