Xin Rong Yang , Yu Jia Huo , Yan Xiong Yan

DOI: Vol.18(No.4) 237-256, 2014

This paper reports findings from a written assessment which was designed to investigate Chinese primary school students`` understanding of the equal sign and equation structure. The investigation included a sample of 110 Grade 3, 112 Grade 4, and 110 Grade 5 students from four schools in China. Significant differences were identified among the three grades and no gender differences were found. The majority of Grades 3 and 4 students were found to view the equal sign as a place indicator meaning "write the answer here" or "do something like computation", that is, holding an operational view of the equal sign. A part of Grade 5 students were found to be able to interpret the equal sign as meaning "the same as", that is, holding a relational view of the equal sign. In addition, even though it was difficult for Grade 3 students to recognize the underlying structure in arithmetic equation, quite a number of Grades 4 and 5 students were able to recognize the underlying structure on some tasks. Findings in this study suggest that Chinese primary school students demonstrate a relational understanding of the equal sign and a strong structural sense of equations in an earlier grade. Moreover, what found in the study support the argument that students`` understanding of the equal sign is influenced by the context in which the equal sign is presented.

equal sign, equations, Chinese primary school students, early algebra

Eun Kyung Kang

DOI: Vol.18(No.4) 257-272, 2014

This paper examines and presents descriptions of 12 prospective primary teachers`` views on the nature of mathematics in USA. All the participants were elementary teacher candidates enrolled in the same mathematics method courses. Interview data show that the prospective primary teachers possess two kinds of views on the nature of mathematics: primarily traditional and even mix of traditional and nontraditional beliefs in terms of Raymond``s (1997) belief criteria. Implications for teacher education were discussed at the end of the paper.

teacher education, prospective primary teachers, teachers` beliefs about mathematics

Ji Yoon Lee , Han Hyuk Cho

DOI: Vol.18(No.4) 273-288, 2014

In recent years, coding education has been globally emphasized and the Free Semester System will be executed to the public schools in Korea from 2016. With the introduction of the Free Semester System and the rising demand of Computational Thinking (CT) capacity, this research aims to design ``learning environment`` in which learners can design and construct mathematical objects through computers and print them out through 3D printers. Furthermore, it will design learning mathematics by constructing the figurate number patterns from ``soma cubes`` in the playing context and connecting those to algebraic and combinatorial patterns, which will allow students to experience mathematical connectivity. It is expected that the activities of designing figurate number patterns suggested in this research will not only strengthen CT capacity in relation to mathematical thinking but also serve as a meaningful program for the Free Semester System in terms of career experience as 3D printers can be widely used.

computational thinking, coding education, free semester, 3D printer, 3D turtle representation, figurate number pattern

Han Hyuk Cho , Chang Kyun Noh , In Yong Choi

DOI: Vol.18(No.4) 289-305, 2014

The current mathematical education calls for a learning environment from the constructionism perspective that actively creates mathematical objects. This research first analyzes JavaMAL``s expression ``move`` that enables students to express the agent``s behavior constructively before they learn vector as a formal concept. Since expression ``move`` is based on a coordinate, it naturally corresponds with the expression of vectors used in school mathematics and lets students take an embodied approach to the concept of vector. Furthermore, as a design tool, expression ``move`` can be used in various activities that include vector structure. This research studies the educational significance entailed in JavaMAL``s expression ``move``.

vector education, embodied expression, representation, covariational reasoning, probabilistic process, JavaMAL

Seong A Kim

DOI: Vol.18(No.4) 307-319, 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 8th 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 giv-en subject for discussion.

communication, cooperative Learning, free-Listing, group discussion, presentation