Arithmetic and Mathematics Education with the Aid of Abacus and Japanese Calculation System for Motivating Students into Learning Mathematics and Science

本研究的重点是开发一种方法，使数学能力较弱的学习者能够借助图像直观地掌握数学概念，图像是日本算盘计算系统的核心推理系统的一部分。根据研究结果，研究人员编写了小学生算术自学指南，其突出的优点得到了读卖新闻、产经新闻、富士电视台等大众媒体的广泛宣传。2006年8月在东京台场松下中心开幕的RiSuPia上，首席研究员Okabe教授指导了以数学为导向的展览内容。三岛教授为教材数字化做出了巨大贡献。RiSuPia是日本唯一允许游客访问娱乐性数学教材的设施。此次在RiSuPia举办的展览，被NHK等大众媒体和各大日报作为大新闻报道，不仅让参观者了解了日本算盘和计算系统在日本数学教育史上所扮演的角色，还借助教材体验了它们所体现的推理系统。

This research centers on developing methods of enabling learners who are weak in mathematics to grasp mathematical concepts intuitively with the aid of images which constitutes part of the reasoning system lying at the core of Japanese abacus and calculation system. Based on the results obtained from this research, the investigators wrote a self study guide of arithmetic for elementary school pupils, whose conspicuous merits were widely touted by mass media including Yomiuri Shimbun, Sankei Shimbun and Fuji Television. The Head Investigator, Prof. Okabe, supervised the mathematics-oriented exhibition contents at RiSuPia which opened in the Panasonic Center at Odaiba, Tokyo in August 2006. Prof. Mishima made a great contribution to digitalizing the teaching materials. RiSuPia is the only facility in Japan which allows the visitors to access the entertaining mathematics-oriented teaching materials. The exhibition at RiSuPia, which mass media including NHK and various daily newspapers reported as big news, lets the visitors not only understand the role the Japanese abacus and calculation system has played in the history of mathematics education in Japan but also experience the reasoning system they embody with the aid of the teaching materials.