We use cookies to help us understand how you use our website so we can improve your experience. Visit our Website Privacy Statement or our cookies page.

Teaching mathematics with socio-ecological issues -

Workshop presented by Alf Coles, University of Bristol.

Abstract

Middle primary (8 to 11 years) and higher secondary (16 to 18 years)

In this workshop, we will consider what climate change and other socio-ecological issues might mean for teaching mathematics. We will look at 3 different methods for incorporating real world issues into the classroom:

  1. Students learn skills first and then apply them. We will work on one mathematical modelling task that exemplifies such a process.
  2. Real world issues provoke a need for learning new mathematical skills. We will again work together on an illustrative task. The idea in this method is that having experienced a situation where they need new skills, students then learn the mathematics and then apply that back in context.
  3. Learning about the real world and learning mathematical skills develop in a manner that is entwined. This method will be exemplified with a project that focuses on a polluted river.

We will end with a discussion of the similarities and differences, and the pros and cons, of each method and what is possible in your particular context for teaching mathematics.