In the last two decades some researchers have been using elements of Critical Theory to rethink the aims and the possibilities of school mathematics. The field known as critical mathematics education has become an important research area, and has been informing teachers who felt the need to change their practices. In this article, we explore the…

The Math Wars have been raging since the 1990's in the United States, where the world of mathematics education has become polarised into two camps: the reformers and the traditionalists. In this article I explore the background to the Math Wars, with specific reference to conflicting ideologies of mathematics education. I draw parallels with…

This article explores the factors that may cause teachers to defer to the textbook as the ultimate authority on curriculum and pedagogy, drawing on Bakhtin's notion of authoritative and personally persuasive discourse. We found that although teachers deferred to the textbook as the "authority" of what should be taught, they did not fully implement…

Discusses public indifference and student ignorance toward mathematics in the U.S. Presents a basic core of mathematics knowledge that everyone should know. (KHR)

Describes and reflects on a research journey from a theoretical perspective which sought to understand what it means in practice to "become critical". Based on a South African curriculum that reflects upon aspects of conflict and dialogue in mathematics pedagogy. (MM)

The mathematical curriculum of the next millennium should harness children's motivation without losing their mathematics. Envisages that the computer might offer just the context to help do this. Presents snapshots from two case studies. (Contains 18 references.) (ASK)

Develops in detail implications for teaching of the arbitrary and necessary curriculum divide. Discusses practical ways forward for teachers who plan lessons and work in the classroom with sensitivity to this divide. Concentrates on teaching and learning arbitrary aspects of the curriculum. Arbitrary is in realm of memory and students have the job…

Views the mathematics curriculum in terms of things that can be worked out by someone (necessary) and things about which everyone needs to be informed (arbitrary). This view clarifies the roles that teachers and students have within the complexities of teaching and learning. (Contains 11 references.) (ASK)

Conducts an inquiry into teachers' (N=33) understanding of relevance as it refers to relating students' learning mathematics to their everyday experiences. Presents an excerpt of a discussion of a football log table set in an actual mathematics examination as an illustration of the nature of what occurred in the group interviews. (Contains 19…

Argues for the use of multiple approaches to instruction as a way to encourage students to be active critics instead of passive recipients. Presents six classroom scenes in historical sequence that review both the mathematical story and the art of teaching. (DDR)

Considers how the domains of mathematics education and history of mathematics may interact in the process of mathematics teaching. Focuses on the teachers' role and explores the relationship between research in mathematics education and the history of mathematics. Contains 24 references. (DDR)

Speculates on whether our knowledge of a mathematical topic is really the same as the knowledge of the topic held by our mathematical ancestors centuries ago. Provides specific examples of using the cultural context of mathematics as an instructional strategy. (DDR)

Provides details of a study on mathematics learning that applies Bruner's concept of format of interaction which is employed in language acquisition theory and in understanding mathematical augmentation. Describes the interactions among tutors, students, and their linear algebra text. (DDR)

Shares perspectives on the history and current status of ethnomathematics. Speculates as to whether this field is revisionist and discusses the features of ethnomathematics that distinguish it from mathematics. (DDR)

Presents the text of a message sent to Susan Gerofsky by Robert Thomas after reading her article on a linguistic and narrative view of word problems in mathematics education. Gerofsky's response is also included. (DDR)