Troubling Mathematics Education: Presentation by Dr. Annica Andersson, Stockholm University

Thursday, Oct. 08, 2015, 12:30-2 p.m.
ED-2030B

There is trouble in mathematics education today. As part of societal discourses about mathematics, it is considered to be one of the most important school subjects for students to pass worldwide. This societal discourse of important mathematics is also evident in PISA and OECD rhetoric, as in mathematics curricula. On the other hand, we have all heard and perhaps asked questions like: “Why do I have to do this?” or “only geniuses” can do math. Even in my brief interactions with strangers I frequently hear disclosures about their not-so-good experiences of learning mathematics. These common sentiments undermine the curriculum assertions of practical value and of accessibility. These stories appear in my work with teachers too. This widespread acknowledgement of the commonplace rejection or fear of (school) mathematics shows that it is not uncommon for students to have excluding experiences of mathematics education. In this talk I will further explore different discourses about mathematics and mathematics education. I will get deeper into the discussion about experiences of excluding identities, and talk about possible reasons for this. The key words in this talk will relate to discourses, communication, values and maybe social justice.

 


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