Analysis of Pattern Generalization Problems of Korean Mathematics Textbook

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to better understand the pattern generalization problems posed in the current school curricula of Korea. Twelve of most recently published Elementary school(1st to 6th grade) mathematics textbooks and twelve Middle school(7th to 9th grade) mathematics textbooks (a total of 24 mathematic textbooks) were selected for the analysis. First, the different types and characteristics of pattern generalization problems based on previous research were categorized. Within these categories, we analyzed which pattern problems were emphasized in the school curriculum. The results indicate that ‘relating problems’ were mainly introduced in elementary school textbooks. ‘Searching for the same relationship’ and ‘procedure problems’ increased across the grades. ‘Pattern searching problems’ decreased across the grades, while ‘result searching’ and ‘pattern extension problems’ were rarely introduced. ‘Justification problems’ were inconsistently emphasized across the grades. With respect to the situational characteristics of the pattern generalization problems, ‘factual pattern generalization problems’ were consistently introduced across the grades, while ‘contextual pattern generalization problems’ and ‘symbolic pattern generalization problems’ were introduced only to a limited extent. Regarding the various types of pattern problems, only limited types of problems were proposed in both the elementary and middle school mathematic textbooks. From this study, we hope to address how the pattern generalization problems in the Korean mathematics curriculum lack pattern exercises in the curriculum core. We also hope to provide data which could lead to the development of a variety of pattern generalization problems in Korean mathematics textbooks in the future. Major findings indicated that Relating Problems were mainly introduced in elementary school textbooks. Searching the Same Relationship & Procedure Problems increased across grades. Pattern Searching Problems decrease across grades while Result Searching and Pattern Extension Problems were rarely introduced. Justification Problems were inconsistently emphasized across grades. In relation to situational characteristics of the pattern generalization problems, Factual Pattern Generalization Problems were consistently introduced across grades while Contextual Pattern Generalization Problems and Symbolic Pattern Generalization Problems were introduced only limited amount. Regarding various types of pattern problems, only limited types of problems were proposed in both elementary and middle school mathematic textbooks. From this research, we hope to address how the pattern generalization problems in Korean mathematics curriculum lacks considering pattern exercises as a curriculum core, and we also hope to provide data which could become a stepping stone of developing variety of pattern generalization problems in Korean mathematics textbooks in the future.