This book is a product of the BACOMET group, a group of educators-mainly educators of prospective teachers of mathematics-who first came together in 1980 to engage in study, discussion, and mutual reflection on issues in mathematics education. BACOMET is an acronym for BAsic Components of Mathematics Education for Teachers. The group was formed after a series of meetings in 1978-1979 between Geoffrey Howson, Michael Otte, and the late Bent Christiansen. In the ensuing years, BACOMET initiated several projects that resulted in published works. The present book is the main product of the...

In 1978, in the foreword to Weeding and Sowing: A Preface to a Science of Mathematics Education, Hans Freudenthal wrote that his book is a preface to a science that does not exist. Almost 20 years later, does his claim still hold true?
The present book is the result of the reflection of many individuals in mathematics education on this and related questions. Is mathematics education a science? Is it a discipline? In what sense? What is its place within other domains of research and academic disciplines? What accounts for its specificity? In the book, the reader will...

No one disputes how important it is, in today's world, to prepare students to un derstand mathematics as weII as to use and communicate mathematics in their future lives. That task is very difficult, however. Refocusing curricula on funda mental concepts, producing new teaching materials, and designing teaching units based on 'mathematicians' common sense' (or on logic) have not resulted in a better understanding of mathematics by more students. The failure of such efforts has raised questions suggesting that what was missing at the outset of these proposals, designs, and productions was a...

This volume focuses on doctoral programmes in mathematics education. It reflects the proceedings of a National Conference on Doctoral Programs in Mathematics Education which was sponsored by the National Science Foundation. This conference was proceeded by a comprehensive survey of programmes conducted over the preceding year. The meeting was designed to generate dialogue regarding the nature of doctoral programmes in mathematics education, to discuss ways to strengthen such programmes, and to detail suggestions and guidelines for faculty engaged in re-structuring an existing programme or in...

This book is a product of the BACOMET group, a group of educators-mainly educators of prospective teachers of mathematics-who first came together in 1980 to engage in study, discussion, and mutual reflection on issues in mathematics education. BACOMET is an acronym for BAsic Components of Mathematics Education for Teachers. The group was formed after a series of meetings in 1978-1979 between Geoffrey Howson, Michael Otte, and the late Bent Christiansen. In the ensuing years, BACOMET initiated several projects that resulted in published works. The present book is the main product of the...

This 1990 book is aimed at teachers, mathematics educators and general readers who are interested in mathematics education from a psychological point of view.

No one disputes how important it is, in today's world, to prepare students to un derstand mathematics as well as to use and communicate mathematics in their future lives. That task is very difficult, however. Refocusing curricula on funda mental concepts, producing new teaching materials, and designing teaching units based on 'mathematicians' common sense' (or on logic) have not resulted in a better understanding of mathematics by more students. The failure of such efforts has raised questions suggesting that what was missing at the outset of these proposals, designs, and productions was a...

This book collects recent research on posing and solving mathematical problems. Rather than treating these two crucial aspects of school mathematics as separate areas of study, the authors approach them as a unit where both areas are measured on equal grounds in relation to each other. The contributors are from a vast variety of countries and with a wide range of experience; it includes the work from many of the leading researchers in the area and an important number of young researchers.

The book is divided in three parts, one directed to new research perspectives and the other...