Book chapter
Mathematical connections: Beyond utility
Mathematics — Connection and Beyond: Yearbook 2020 Association of Mathematics Educators, pp.71-93
World Scientific Publishing
2021
Abstract
Mathematics is often interpreted as a ‘useful’ activity, with limited attention paid to its potential to be significant for other reasons. While utility is of course important, it is of diminished significance if students are not engaged with, interested in or attracted to mathematics. Many mathematicians and others over time have drawn attention to the beauty of mathematics and its deep aesthetic qualities, and mathematics is connected richly to our collective cultural heritage. One of the broad aims of mathematics education is to develop positive attitudes towards mathematics; while syllabuses make reference to this broad aim in different ways, it is often hard to see how it is addressed explicitly in official documents. In this chapter, we first consider some ways in which mathematics is connected to a wider world beyond its practical applications. We address in particular the significance of some of the aesthetic aspects of mathematics and its cultural heritage, both its history and contemporary views of its place in the world.
Details
- Title
- Mathematical connections: Beyond utility
- Authors/Creators
- B. Kissane (Author/Creator)
- Contributors
- T.L. Toh (Editor) - Nanyang Technological UniversityB.H. Choy (Editor) - Nanyang Technological University
- Publication Details
- Mathematics — Connection and Beyond: Yearbook 2020 Association of Mathematics Educators, pp.71-93
- Publisher
- World Scientific Publishing
- Identifiers
- 991005540224507891
- Murdoch Affiliation
- School of Education
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Book chapter
- Publisher URL
- https://doi.org/10.1142/9789811236983_0005
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