Thursday, September 10
Class response
As an introduction to the current issues of significance in mathematics education, and for me an introduction to the world of graduate courses, this first class was an eye-opener. I enjoyed our surroundings and our conversation and am looking forward to future classes!
Frozen Future: I was struck by this phrase and have discussed with colleagues and family the significance this has for all education really! We are involved in educating students for a future which existed when we were younger but no longer does. In our experience as students ourselves and as educators it is ingrained in us that teachers are in control of information that students need, they deconstruct the needed information and rebuild for students and if those students didn't get it they weren't paying attention. This pedagogical background then encounters students whose needs or skill set in the digital age are a mismatch with what we have always believed they needed to know. Alvin Toffler, an American writer and futurist, in his book 'Rethinking the Future' says "The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read or write but those who can not learn, unlearn and relearn." Certainly this issue gave me long pause for thought, and will help inform what I see as critical issues in mathematical education.
As an introduction to the current issues of significance in mathematics education, and for me an introduction to the world of graduate courses, this first class was an eye-opener. I enjoyed our surroundings and our conversation and am looking forward to future classes!
Frozen Future: I was struck by this phrase and have discussed with colleagues and family the significance this has for all education really! We are involved in educating students for a future which existed when we were younger but no longer does. In our experience as students ourselves and as educators it is ingrained in us that teachers are in control of information that students need, they deconstruct the needed information and rebuild for students and if those students didn't get it they weren't paying attention. This pedagogical background then encounters students whose needs or skill set in the digital age are a mismatch with what we have always believed they needed to know. Alvin Toffler, an American writer and futurist, in his book 'Rethinking the Future' says "The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read or write but those who can not learn, unlearn and relearn." Certainly this issue gave me long pause for thought, and will help inform what I see as critical issues in mathematical education.
