Pattern recognition for identifying of mathematically

Pattern Recognition for Identifying Mathematically Gifted Children Yan Kong, Yiu-Chung Hon, Fen Zhu

Abstract—The study aims at proving that pattern

unfortunate that there is no a standard method to

recognition is a key factor in the identification of

identify mathematics gifted children until now.

mathematically gifted children. The identification

II. DEVELOPMENT OF MATHEMATICAL

tools include one questionnaire for parents on the

GIFTEDNESS

behavior of their children (N=212) in childhood stage and three tests for evaluating memory,

Since Lewis Terman linked up the giftedness

computing, and pattern recognition ability of their

and intelligence quotient (IQ), he designed the

children in mathematics. The nested structure of

Stanford-Binet IQ test as the first measurement

the data including demographic variables as

of the gifted children based on the Binet-Simon

controls were analyzed based on our recently

Intelligence Scale. He defined that children,

developed theoretical framework on giftedness.

whose IQ was 140 of above, were called “gifted”

Findings showed that: i) pattern recognition ability

[1]. At that time, mathematical giftedness was

was a core variable to distinguish mathematically

equal to high intelligence. But in IQ test, which

gifted children in the discriminant function; ii)

was commonly used to categorize the various

memory and computing were important auxiliary

abilities of children, the truly mathematically

variables respectively.

gifted children could not be identified due to the intrinsic weakness of these in learning languages

Keywords- Pattern Recognition, Mathematically

at their early childhood ages. In the middle of 20th century, the level of difficult mathematical

Gifted Children

problem-solving ability related to mathematical I.

INTRODUCTION

giftedness. Soon afterward, Stanley underlined

To a large extent, the cultivation of top talent determines the competitiveness of a nation. As the

subject

of

science

and

technology,

mathematics is always considered to be a important standard to evaluate the talent. Recently, many countries have paid more attention to the cultivation of mathematics gifted children since the spread of STEM education. However, due to their “strange” way of thinking and

unusual

behavior,

mathematics

gifted

children are often seen as “problem children”in the school during the process of practical education. “giftedness”

Additionally, and

the

“talent”

definition

has

still

of been

controversial over these years. Thus, it is indeed

the importance of mathematical reasoning [2], as opposed to the skillful use of algorithms, in distinguishing the mathematically gifted children. With the emergence and development of multiple intelligence theory, the late study starts to focus on the mathematical ability, such as calculating, logical, and reasoning and so on [3]. However, on some large projects, the common tool used for identification of the giftedness is still Wechsler tests (child and adult), which had a standard score ceiling of 160 [4]. This study will reveal some

shortages of

a

traditional

test

for

mathematically gifted children and find a convincing identification method, or ensure some indices for the future work at least.