Mathematics Education The Singapore Journey
SERIES ON MATHEMATICS EDUCATION Series Editors: Mogens Niss (Roskilde University, Denmark) Lee Peng Yee (Nanyang Technological University, Singapore) Jeremy Kilpatrick (University of Georgia, USA) Published Vol. 1 Vol. 2 How Chinese Learn Mathematics Perspectives from Insiders Edited by: L. Fan, N.-Y. Wong, J. Cai and S. Li Mathematics Education The Singapore Journey Edited by: K. Y. Wong, P. Y. Lee, B. Kaur, P. Y. Foong and S. F. Ng
Series on Mathematics Education Vol. 2 Mathematics Education The Singapore Journey Edited by Wong Khoon Yoong Lee Peng Yee Berinderjeet Kaur Foong Pui Yee Ng Swee Fong Nanyang Technological University, Singapore World Scientific NEW JERSEY LONDON SINGAPORE BEIJING SHANGHAI HONG KONG TAIPEI CHENNAI
Published by World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd. 5 Toh Tuck Link, Singapore 596224 USA office: 27 Warren Street, Suite 401-402, Hackensack, NJ 07601 UK office: 57 Shelton Street, Covent Garden, London WC2H 9HE British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. Series on Mathematics Educaiton Vol. 2 MATHEMATICS EDUCATION The Singapore Journey Copyright 2009 by World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd. All rights reserved. This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any information storage and retrieval system now known or to be invented, without written permission from the Publisher. For photocopying of material in this volume, please pay a copying fee through the Copyright Clearance Center, Inc., 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923, USA. In this case permission to photocopy is not required from the publisher. ISBN-13 978-981-283-375-4 ISBN-10 981-283-375-7 Managing Editor LEE Peng Yee, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore Editorial Assistant JIN Haiyue, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore Printed in Singapore.
Contents Introducing the Landscape of the Singapore Mathematics Education Journey 1 Editorial Board Part I Singapore Education and Mathematics Teacher Education Chapter 1 Singapore Education and Mathematics Curriculum 13 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 WONG Khoon Yoong LEE Ngan Hoe Mathematics Teacher Education: Pre-service and In-service Programmes 48 LIM-TEO Suat Khoh Learning Communities: Roles of Teachers Network and Zone Activities 85 CHUA Puay Huat Chapter 4 Lesson Study in Mathematics: Three Cases from Singapore 104 FANG Yanping. Christine Kim-Eng LEE SHARIFAH THALHA Bte Syed Haron v
vi Chapter 5 Mathematics Education: The Singapore Journey Teacher Change in an Informal Professional Development Programme: The 4-I Model 130 YEAP Ban Har HO Siew Yin Chapter 6 Singapore Master Teachers in Mathematics 150 Juliana Donna NG Chye Huat FOO Kum Fong Part II Teaching and Learning of Mathematics Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Model Method: A Visual Tool to Support Algebra Word Problem Solving at the Primary Level 169 NG Swee Fong Kerry LEE Solving Algebra Word Problems: The Roles of Working Memory and the Model Method 204 Kerry LEE NG Swee Fong Understanding of Statistical Graphs among Singapore Secondary Students 227 WU Yingkang WONG Khoon Yoong Chapter 10 Word Problems on Speed: Students Strategies and Errors 244 JIANG Chunlian Chapter 11 Review of Research on Mathematical Problem Solving in Singapore 263 FOONG Pui Yee
Contents vii Chapter 12 Use of ICT in Mathematics Education in Singapore: Review of Research 301 NG Wee Leng LEONG Yew Hoong Chapter 13 Mathematics Anxiety and Test Anxiety of Secondary Two Students in Singapore 319 YEO Kai Kow Joseph Chapter 14 Positive Social Climate and Cooperative Learning in Mathematics Classrooms 337 LUI Hah Wah Elena TOH Tin Lam CHUNG Siu Ping Chapter 15 Mathematics Curriculum for the Gifted in Singapore 357 KHONG Beng Choo Chapter 16 Early Intervention for Pupils At-risk of Mathematics Difficulties 370 Fiona CHEAM CHUA Wan Loo Jocelyn Chapter 17 Numeracy Matters in Singapore Kindergartens 387 Pamela SHARPE Chapter 18 Rethinking and Researching Mathematics Assessment in Singapore: The Quest for a New Paradigm 413 QUEK Khiok Seng FAN Lianghuo
viii Mathematics Education: The Singapore Journey Part III Comparative Studies in Mathematics Education Chapter 19 Performance of Singapore Students in Trends in International Mathematics and Science Studies (TIMSS) 439 Berinderjeet KAUR Chapter 20 Findings from the Background Questionnaires in TIMSS 2003 464 BOEY Kok Leong Chapter 21 Kassel Project on the Teaching and Learning of Mathematics: Singapore s Participation 479 Berinderjeet KAUR YAP Sook Fwe Chapter 22 International Project on Mathematical Attainment (IPMA): Singapore s Participation 494 Berinderjeet KAUR KOAY Phong Lee YAP Sook Fwe Chapter 23 My Best Mathematics Teacher: Perceptions of Primary School Pupils from Singapore and Brunei Darussalam 512 WONG Khoon Yoong Berinderjeet KAUR KOAY Phong Lee JAMILAH Binte Hj Mohd Yusof Looking Forward and Beyond 525 Editorial Board
Contents ix Contributing Authors 539 Subject Index 547