teaching mathematics

whylll (whylll@whx.whyalla.unisa.edu.au)
Thu, 13 Mar 1997 23:47:38 +1030 (GMT+1030)


[ This article responds to an article posted on Sat, 19 Oct 1996 by
Laura Petersen ("petersen@lcsc.edu"). Please consult the NAT-EDU
archives ("http://bioc09.uthscsa.edu/natnet/archive/ne/") to see
Laura's original article and the several responses it garnered near
the time of posting. --Gary (gst@gnosys.svle.ma.us) ]

petersen@lcsc.edu (Laura Petersen) writes:

> I teach remedial mathematics. Many of my students struggle with math
> anxiety and math hatred and do not understand why mathematics is part of
> the core curriculum...
>
> I do not know the role that number sense or mathematics played in Native
> cultures in this hemisphere except for the Mayans. I have searched my
> usual sources and found nothing. Can anyone help?
>
> Incidentally, a good resource for other cultures' contributions is
> Multicultural Mathematics: Teaching Mathematics from a Global Perspective
> by Nelson, Gheverghese Joseph and Williams. 1993

Apologies that this response is somewhat delayed, but yes I can offer a
good text re indigenous perspectives on maths. It is from the southern
hemisphere though.

Pam Harris (1991) "Mathematics in a Cultural Context, Aboriginal
Perspectives on Space, Time and Money". Deakin University, Geelong,
Victoria, Australia.

Laraine Lerc
University of South Australia
Whyalla