• Education of Primary School Mathematics
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.107-134
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• 2012

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of two teaching methods of word problems, one based on mathematical modeling learning(ML) and the other on traditional learning(TL). Additionally, the influence of mathematical modeling learning in word problem solving behavior, application ability of real world experiences in word problem solving and the beliefs of word problem solving will be examined. The results of this study were as follows: First, as to word problem solving behavior, there was a significant difference between the two groups. This mean that the ML was effective for word problem solving behavior. Second, all of the students in the ML group and the TL group had a strong tendency to exclude real world knowledge and sense-making when solving word problems during the pre-test. but A significant difference appeared between the two groups during post-test. classroom culture improvement efforts. Third, mathematical modeling learning(ML) was effective for improvement of traditional beliefs about word problems. Fourth, mathematical modeling learning(ML) exerted more influence on mathematically strong and average students and a positive effect to mathematically weak students. High and average-level students tended to benefit from mathematical modeling learning(ML) more than their low-level peers. This difference was caused by less involvement from low-level students in group assignments and whole-class discussions. While using the mathematical modeling learning method, elementary students were able to build various models about problem situations, justify, and elaborate models by discussions and comparisons from each other. This proves that elementary students could participate in mathematical modeling activities via word problems, it results form the use of more authentic tasks, small group activities and whole-class discussions, exclusion of teacher's direct intervention, and classroom culture improvement efforts. The conclusions drawn from the results obtained in this study are as follows: First, mathematical modeling learning(ML) can become an effective method, guiding word problem solving behavior from the direct translation approach(DTA) based on numbers and key words without understanding about problem situations to the meaningful based approach(MBA) building rich models for problem situations. Second, mathematical modeling learning(ML) will contribute attitudes considering real world situations in solving word problems. Mathematical modeling activities for word problems can help elementary students to understand relations between word problems and the real world. It will be also help them to develop the ability to look at the real world mathematically. Third, mathematical modeling learning(ML) will contribute to the development of positive beliefs for mathematics and word problem solving. Word problem teaching focused on just mathematical operations can't develop proper beliefs for mathematics and word problem solving. Mathematical modeling learning(ML) for word problems provide elementary students the opportunity to understand the real world mathematically, and it increases students' modeling abilities. Futhermore, it is a very useful method of reforming the current problems of word problem teaching and learning. Therefore, word problems in school mathematics should be replaced by more authentic ones and modeling activities should be introduced early in elementary school eduction, which would help change the perceptions about word problem teaching.

• East Asian mathematical journal
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.553-579
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• 2010

Geometric education emphasize reasoning ability and spatial sense through development of logical thinking and intuitions in space. Researches about space understanding go along with investigations of space perception ability which is composed of space relationship, space visualization, space direction etc. Especially space visualization is one of the factors which try conclusion with geometric problem solving. But studies about space visualization are limited to middle school geometric education, studies in elementary level haven't been done until now. Namely, discussions about elementary students' space visualization process and ability in plane or space figures is deficient in relation to geometric problem solving. This paper examines these aspects, especially in relation to plane and space problem solving in elementary levels. Firstly we propose the analysis frame to investigate a visualization process for plane problem solving and a visualization ability for space problem solving. Nextly we select 13 elementary students, and observe closely how a visualization process is progress and how a visualization ability is played role in geometric problem solving. Together with these analyses, we propose concrete examples of visualization ability which make a road to geometric problem solving. Through these analysis, this paper aims at deriving various discussions about visualization in geometric problem solving of the elementary mathematics.

• Research in Mathematical Education
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.195-206
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• 2012

We adopt a spirit of Problem based learning to the class of Multivariable Calculus in a school of scientifically talented students and observed effects of our teaching-learning method in the Spring Semester of 2010. Twelve students who enrolled in this class participated in this research. We have proceeded with classroom experiment for the half of semester after midterm exam so that the students could compare our teaching-learning method with usual traditional one in the subject of multivariable calculus. Especially, we investigated changes in the learning attitude and cognitive development of the students toward definition and theorem of mathematics. Each group of 4 students worked on a sheet of our well-designed structured problems of several steps in each class and presented how they understood the way of constructing new definition and related theorems. Instructor's role in this research was to guide students' activities as questioner so that students could attain the clear meanings of definitions and theorems by themselves. We firstly analyzed students' process of mathematization of definition through observing their discussions and presentations as well as their achievements in the quizzes and final exams. Secondly, we analyzed students' class-diaries collected at the end of each class in addition to pre/post surveys.

• Journal for History of Mathematics
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.327-343
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• 2020

This study investigate philosophical discussions related to the Zeno's paradoxes in order to derive the mathematics educational implications. The paradox of Zeno's motion is sometimes explained by the calculus theories. However, various philosophical discussions show that the resolution of Zeno's paradox by calculus is not a real solution, and the concept of a continuum which is composed of points and the real number continuum may not coincide with the physical space and time. This is supported by the fact that the hyperreal number system of nonstandard analysis could be another model of a straight line or time and that an alternative explanation of Zeno's paradox was possible by the hyperreal number system. The existence of two different theories of the continuum suggests that teachers and students may not have the same view of the continuum. It is also suggested that the real world model used in school mathematics may not necessarily match the student's intuition or mathematical practice, and that the real world application of mathematics theory should be emphasized in education as a kind of 'correspondence.'

• Communications of Mathematical Education
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.181-205
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• 2019

This study analyzed how university students' motivations for learning mathematics and emotions for learning mathematics occur and how they relate to each other by introducing the factor called needs in the particular context of mathematics learning, mathematics class centered on peer discussions. We conceptualized the key concepts of the study, motivation for learning mathematics and emotion for learning mathematics. Based on them, we drew specific ways to observe motivation and emotion for learning mathematics and conduct the research. As a result, motivations for learning mathematics occurred to satisfy some needs. Also, positive emotions for learning mathematics occurred when some needs were satisfied, whereas negative emotion for learning mathematics occurred when some needs were not satisfied. Furthermore, when the needs leading to motivations for leaning mathematics were satisfied, positive emotions for learning mathematics occurred. The unfulfilled needs leading to negative emotions for learning mathematics make motivations for learning mathematics occur to satisfy those needs.

• School Mathematics
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.1-18
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• 2017

In this study we analyse the features of process of problem posing and explore the development of mathematical knowledge of primary preservice teachers as result of their engagement in problem posing activity. Data was collected through the preservice teachers' class discussions. Analysis of the data shows that preservice teachers developed their ability to understand connections among mathematical concepts.

• Research in Mathematical Education
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.223-234
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• 2014

Research shows that formative assessment has a more powerful effect on student learning than summative assessment. This case study of an 8th grade algebra classroom focuses on how the implementation of Formative Assessment Lessons (FALs) and the participation in teacher learning communities related to FALs changed in the teacher's instructional practices, over the course of a year, to promote students' mathematical reasoning and justification. Two classroom observations are analyzed to identify how the teacher elicited and built on students' mathematical reasoning, and how the teacher prompted students to respond to and develop one another's mathematical ideas. Findings show that the teacher solicited students' reasoning more often as the academic year progressed, and students also began developing mathematical reasoning in meaningful ways, such as articulating their mathematical thinking, responding to other students' reasoning, and building on those ideas leading by the teacher. However, findings also show that teacher change in teaching practices is complicated and intertwined with various dimensions of teacher development. This study contributes to the understanding of changes in teaching practices, which has significant implications for teacher professional development and frameworks for investigating teacher learning.

• Research in Mathematical Education
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.307-319
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• 2014

This research is a survey study on students' attitude toward a class employing small group discussion and presentation by the method of free-listing. Participants in this study were students who registered in the course of Mathematical Logics and Writing during 2011 and 2014. Senior students who took the course of theory of mathematics education previously usually registered the course. The class for this course used to be designed as a class adopting group discussion and presentation. Main theme of this research is not to demonstrate some theories or hypothesis on teaching and learning, but rather to inquire students' attitude toward a class employing the constituents first and then through analyzing the results of this study to find practical ideas and strategy for design and implementation of a class which brings cultivation of students' understanding, communication and moreover writing in mathematics. Since the survey was given in the $8^{th}$ week of this class, participants of this research could be expected to have more concrete idea for positive or negative aspects of the classes employing these constituents. We compared both research results of 2011 and 2014 to view any changes in students' attitude. Research results are follows. Students began to think that group discussions and presentation bring out better learning to them. Not to give students psychological burden of discussion and presentation, instructors need to provide comfortable atmosphere through arranging suitable grouping and enough time for discussion. Moreover, simple evaluations criteria for group discussions and presentation should be well structured and more concrete guides for them are required to make students to feel comfortable and to concentrate on the given subject for discussion.

• Journal of Educational Research in Mathematics
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.109-124
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• 2002

This study investigated various effects of WBD(web-based discussion) on mathematical communication, interaction and problem solving in the classroom. We developed a web site including BBS and chat room in order to encourage students' mathematical curiosities and self-studies. The web site had been operated for 6 months. Five classes of 1st grade students were selected from an middle school in Daejon. Moreover, we analyzed several cases for interactional behavior and effect. WBD promote dialogue between a teacher and students. Analysis of feed-back from BBS revealed that student's negative attitudes could be changed to positive ones by step-by-step discussions. Moreover, collaborative learning is enhanced by on-line discussion. But the effects of WBD are affected by the character and ability of a student.

• Research in Mathematical Education
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.63-92
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• 2020

Student engagement in high-level, cognitively demanding instruction is pivotal for student learning. However, many teachers are unable to maintain such instruction, especially in instances of non-responsive students. This case study of three middle school teachers explores prompts that aim to move classroom discussions past student silence. Prompt sequences were categorized into Progressing, Focusing, and Redirecting Actions, and then analyzed for maintenance of high levels of cognitive demand. Results indicate that specific prompt types are prone to either raise or diminish the cognitive demand of a discussion. While Focusing Actions afforded students opportunities to process information on a more meaningful level, Progressing Actions typically lowered cognitive demand in an effort to get through mathematics content or a specific method or procedure. Prompts that raise cognitive demand typically start out as procedural or concrete and progress to include students' thoughts or ideas about mathematical concepts. This study aims to discuss five specific implications on how teachers can use prompting techniques to effectively maintain cognitively challenging discourse through moments of student silence.