The program in mathematics at National Taiwan Normal University: Origin and influences

This study examined the origin of the Mathematics Program at the National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU) and its influences on mathematics education in Taiwan. It traced the evolution of the Mathematics Program at NTNU from its establishment in 1946 to the present time. The study identified the internal and external influences and the major curricular trends that may have affected Taiwanese mathematics education.;Five questions guided the research. First, what was the origin of the Mathematics Program at the National Taiwan Normal University? After Japanese colonization, the Republic of China government insisted on overhauling the educational institutions. Provincial Taiwan Normal College (later renamed National Taiwan Normal University) was established in 1946. Since mathematics has always been an important area of study, the Mathematics Program and the College were established concurrently.;Second, what have been the major curricular trends in the Mathematics Program at National Taiwan Normal University? One of the first trends was the implementation of fundamental geometry courses. The next trend involved courses related to computing and technology. Meanwhile, the notion of a "mathematics education" field began to develop. The most recent trends focused on strengthening the field of mathematics education and integrating technology and media as components of teaching and learning mathematics.;Third, what influence does the Mathematics Program at National Taiwan Normal University have on secondary school mathematics instruction? The mathematics content curriculum was to broaden the content knowledge of prospective teachers. The emphasis on mathematics education provided prospective teachers with knowledge of children's and secondary students' mathematical thinking.;Fourth, how has the Ministry of Education in Taiwan, influenced by National Taiwan Normal University, affected secondary-school mathematics education? The NTNU mathematics faculty serving on research committees within the National Science Council of the Ministry of Education influenced the directions of the educational research throughout Taiwan.;Fifth, what were the external influences that have affected the Mathematics Program at National Taiwan Normal University? Most NTNU alumni who studied mathematics in the United States returned to become NTNU faculty members. Nearly all of the Program's external influences have been from the United States.