Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
1991-12-01
DOI:
10.7936/K7B27SM8
Technical Report Number
WUCS-91-49
Abstract
Largely unnoticed amid the cry for better mathematics teaching, Kumon is quietly helping a million mathematics students (from infants to adults; 75% are elementary children). Though conservative in diction and device (including 5000+ worksheets to be solved in "standard" times), it is surprisingly student-centered in practice. The author's investigation during the past year reflects his background in both education and computer science. The paper considers the demands, theories, methods and record of Kumon mathematics from the standpoint of educational theory, cognitive science, and language processing. It considers syntactic and semantic learning of mathematics, arguing that their proper relative positioning helps lead the student to higher-order thinking. Future research issues are suggested. The Kumon Machine is briefly introduced; it incorporates the Kuman method into "silicon paper" -- a notebook sized pen-based computer.
Recommended Citation
Fuller, Thomas H. Jr., "The Kumon Approach to Learning Mathematics: An Educator's Perspective" Report Number: WUCS-91-49 (1991). All Computer Science and Engineering Research.
https://openscholarship.wustl.edu/cse_research/667
Comments
Permanent URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.7936/K7B27SM8