Alf Coles

‘This book moves us beyond a theoretical pondering of the issues and makes concrete suggestions for teachers and students for how things can be different in mathematics classrooms. This is long overdue.’Peter Gates, University of NottinghamTeaching Mathematics as if the Planet Matters explores how Mathematics teachers can develop approaches to curriculum and learning which help students understand the nature of the contemporary world. It sets out a model for teaching and learning that allows teachers to examine existing approaches to teaching and draw upon the insights of mathematics as a discipline to help students relate classroom mathematics to global issues such as climate change, the economy, food supplies, biodiversity, human rights, and social justice. Including practical examples, suggestions for teaching activities and detailed further reading sections, the book covers: the mathematics of description in the measuring, recording and statistical analysis that informs our knowledge of climate change, consumption and sustainability; the mathematics of prediction in the modelling used by governments, scientists and businesses to plan roads, power stations and food supplies and their effects; the mathematics of communication in the news reports, blogs and environmental campaigns, incomplete without graphs, charts and statistics. The true worth of a school subject is revealed in how far it can account for and respond to the major issues of the time. The issue of the environment cuts across subject boundaries and requires an interdisciplinary response. Mathematics teachers are part of that response and they have a crucial role in helping students to respond to environmental issues and representations.

‘This book moves us beyond a theoretical pondering of the issues and makes concrete suggestions for teachers and students for how things can be different in mathematics classrooms. This is long overdue.’Peter Gates, University of NottinghamTeaching Mathematics as if the Planet Matters explores how Mathematics teachers can develop approaches to curriculum and learning which help students understand the nature of the contemporary world. It sets out a model for teaching and learning that allows teachers to examine existing approaches to teaching and draw upon the insights of mathematics as a discipline to help students relate classroom mathematics to global issues such as climate change, the economy, food supplies, biodiversity, human rights, and social justice. Including practical examples, suggestions for teaching activities and detailed further reading sections, the book covers: the mathematics of description in the measuring, recording and statistical analysis that informs our knowledge of climate change, consumption and sustainability; the mathematics of prediction in the modelling used by governments, scientists and businesses to plan roads, power stations and food supplies and their effects; the mathematics of communication in the news reports, blogs and environmental campaigns, incomplete without graphs, charts and statistics. The true worth of a school subject is revealed in how far it can account for and respond to the major issues of the time. The issue of the environment cuts across subject boundaries and requires an interdisciplinary response. Mathematics teachers are part of that response and they have a crucial role in helping students to respond to environmental issues and representations.

This book provides a decolonial critique of dominant global agendas concerning teacher professionalism and proposes a new understanding based on UNESCO-funded research with teachers based in Colombia, Ethiopia (Tigray), India, Rwanda and Tanzania. Outlining from a teacher’s perspective how teacher professionalism may be conceptualized, this book critiques dominant global narratives and conceptions based on deficit discourses. The authors argue that a decolonial lens can help to contextualize the perspectives, experiences and material conditions of teachers in the global South, and the value of such a framework for informing global debates and decision-making in education.

Who has not wondered if there is something beyond the universe? Or if there is a biggest number? Or if there is something smaller than the smallest thing? These are questions about different infinities. Exploring the paradoxes and riddles of what infinity means is the invitation contained in this book. And, more than that, in these pages is an invitation to engage in mathematics as a creative, collaborative endeavour, linked to our intuitions and emotions and of relevance to our lives. This Second Edition, coming nearly 30 years after the first, takes classic ideas and brings them up to date with the smartphone age making it fascinating and relevant to anyone loosely interested in popular science, or more squarely, with the Queen of Sciences itself, Mathematics.

What comes first, class management or student engagement? How can the ‘real world’ be used to engage learners? What is the role of technology in engaging students? And is ‘understanding’ or ‘exam success’ more engaging? In the modern world, success in school mathematics can determine life chances. It is therefore vital to engage children and young people in learning mathematics. Engaging in Mathematics in the Classroom brings together the debates concerning mathematical engagement and draws on first-hand experience and key research to promote successful classroom practice. It considers what engagement looks like at different ages and the implications of this for the classroom. Accessibly written with examples of successful classroom practice, activities and projects, the book covers: Planning and managing engagement in learning; Mathematical understandings and meanings; Early Primary and the number system; Primary/Secondary Transition and geometrical thinking; Secondary school: Adolescence and algebraic activity; Post-16 and infinity; Learning across the lifespan. Written by a leading authority in the field, this timely text will be essential reading for all trainee and practising teachers of mathematics.

What comes first, class management or student engagement? How can the ‘real world’ be used to engage learners? What is the role of technology in engaging students? And is ‘understanding’ or ‘exam success’ more engaging? In the modern world, success in school mathematics can determine life chances. It is therefore vital to engage children and young people in learning mathematics. Engaging in Mathematics in the Classroom brings together the debates concerning mathematical engagement and draws on first-hand experience and key research to promote successful classroom practice. It considers what engagement looks like at different ages and the implications of this for the classroom. Accessibly written with examples of successful classroom practice, activities and projects, the book covers: Planning and managing engagement in learning; Mathematical understandings and meanings; Early Primary and the number system; Primary/Secondary Transition and geometrical thinking; Secondary school: Adolescence and algebraic activity; Post-16 and infinity; Learning across the lifespan. Written by a leading authority in the field, this timely text will be essential reading for all trainee and practising teachers of mathematics.