Title

The Kumon Approach to Learning Mathematics: An Educator's Perspective

Authors

Thomas H. Fuller Jr., Washington University in St Louis

Document Type

Technical Report

Publication Date

1991-12-01

Filename

WUCS-91-49.pdf

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.

Comments

Permanent URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.7936/K7B27SM8

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