ERIC Number: EJ1066357
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2015-Jul
Pages: 6
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-2147-611X
EISSN: N/A
The Social Outcomes of Learning Mathematics: Standard, Unintended or Visionary?
Ernest, Paul
International Journal of Education in Mathematics, Science and Technology, v3 n3 p187-192 Jul 2015
Mathematics is a fundamental part of human knowledge and one of the central planks of the modern technological revolution. But in our enthusiasm to promote its benefits too rarely do we stop to question our intended aims of teaching mathematics and the outcomes of learning mathematics in school. In this paper the standard aims of school mathematics are acknowledged, but so too are the unexpected and unintended outcomes for some or all students. These are primarily the unplanned and unintended values, attitudes and beliefs that students develop during their years of schooling. Many of these are negative. To counter them and more generally to aim higher in school mathematics teaching I propose four additional visionary aims for mathematics that are empowering and broadening. These comprise developing higher level orientations and capabilities including mathematical confidence; mathematical creativity through problem posing and solving; social empowerment through mathematics contributing to critical citizenship; and the broader appreciation of mathematics, its nature and its key ideas.
Descriptors: Mathematics Education, Outcomes of Education, Educational Objectives, Creativity, Empowerment, Citizenship, Self Esteem, Problem Solving
International Journal of Education in Mathematics, Science and Technology. Necmettin Erbakan University, Ahmet Kelesoglu Education Faculty, Meram, Konya, 42090, Turkey. Tel: +90-505-490-6703; Fax: +90-332-323-6225; e-mail: ijermst@gmail.com; Web site: http://ijemst.com
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A