The word "critical" in the title of this collection has three meanings, all of which are relevant. One meaning, as applied to a situation or problem, is "at a point of crisis". A second meaning is "expressing adverse or disapproving comments or judgments". A third is related to the verb "to critique", meaning "to analyze the merits and faults of". The authors contributing to this book pose challenging questions, from multiple perspectives, about the roles of mathematics in society and the implications for education. Traditional reasons for teaching mathematics include: preparing a new generation of mathematics researchers and a cadre of technically competent users of mathematics; training students to think logically; and because mathematics is as much part of cultural heritage as literature or music. These reasons remain valid, though open to critique, but a deeper analysis is required that recognizes the roles of mathematics in framing many aspects of contemporary society, that will connect mathematics education to the lived experiences of students, their communities, and society in general, and that acknowledges the global ethical responsibilities of mathematicians and mathematics educators.
The book is organized in four sections (1) Mathematics education: For what and why? (2) Globalization and cultural diversity, (3) Mathematics, education, and society and (4) Social justice in, and through, mathematics education
The chapters address fundamental issues such as the relevance of school mathematics in people's lives; creating a sense of agency for the field of mathematics education, and redefining the relationship between mathematics as discipline, mathematics as school subject and mathematics as part of people's lives.
Table of Contents:
Section I. Mathematics Education: For What and Why?
Chapter 1. What is Mathematics Education For? Brian Greer
Chapter 2. Ethical Responsibility and the "What" and "Why" of Mathematics Education in a Global Context; Bill Atweh
Chapter 3. The Demathematising Effect of Technology: Calling for Critical Competence; Uwe Gellert & Eva Jablonka
Chapter 4. Mathematical Literacy: Issues of Engagement from the South African Experience of Curriculum Implementation; Mellony Graven & Hamsa Venkat
Chapter 5. The Purpose of School Mathematics: Perspectives of Colombian Mathematics Teachers; Cecilia Agudelo-Valderrama
Chapter 6. Teaching Mathematics With and For Creativity: An Intercultural Perspective; Roza Leikin
Chapter 7. Whose Mathematics Education? Mathematical Discourses as Cultural Matricide? Fiona Walls
Chapter 8. The Tension Between What Mathematics Education Should Be For and What It Is Actually For; Alexandre Pais
Chapter 9. Mathematics Education: For Whom? Monica Mesquita
Section II. Globalization and Cultural Diversity
Chapter 10. Mathematics Education Ideologies and Globalization; Paul Ernest
Chapter 11. What is This Thing Called Social Justice and What Does It Have to Do With Us in the Context of Globalization; Bill Atweh
Chapter 12. Defrosting and Re-Frosting the Ideology of Pure Mathematics: An Infusion of Eastern-Western Perspectives on Conceptualizing a Socially Just Mathematics Education; Bal Chandra Luitel & Peter Charles Taylor
Chapter 13. Mathematics Education and the Brazilian Landless Movement; Gelsa Knijnik
Chapter 14. Kerala Mathematics and Its Possible Transmission to Europe; Dennis Almeida & George Gheverghese Joseph
Chapter 15. The Philosophy of Mathematics, Values, and Kerala Mathematics; Paul Ernest
Section III. Mathematics, Education, and Society
Chapter 16. Classroom Research: Impact and Long Term Effect Versus Justice, Liberation and Empowerment? Paul Ernest
Chapter 17. Values and the Social Responsibility of Mathematics; Simon Goodchild
Chapter 18. What Has Power Got to Do With Mathematics Education? Paola Valero
Chapter 19. Formatting Power of "Mathematics in a Package": A Challenge for Social Theorising? Ole Skovsmose
Chapter 20. What is Mathematics About? Ole Skovsmose and Keiko Yasukawa
Chapter 21. Applied Mathematics as Social Contract; Philip Davis
Chapter 22. Mathematics and Curriculum Integration: Challenging the Hierarchy of School Knowledge; De Freitas
Section IV. Social Justice In, and Through, Mathematics Education
Chapter 23. Social Justice and Mathematics Education: Issues, Dilemmas, Excellence and Equity; Bharath Sriraman and Olof Steinhorsdottir
Chapter 24. Social Justice and Mathematics: Rethinking the Nature and Purposes of School Mathematics; Kurt Stemhagen
Chapter 25. Possibilities and Challenges in Teaching Mathematics for Social Justice; Eric (Rico) Gutstein
Chapter 26. Math Education and Social Justice: Gatekeepers, Politics, and Teacher Agency; Peter Applebaum & Erica Davila
Chapter 27. On Methodologies of Research Into Gender and Other Equity Questions; Jeff Evans
Chapter 28. The Privilege of Pedagogical Capital: A Framework for Understanding Scholastic Success in Mathematics; Carol V. Livingston
Chapter 29. Pupils of African Heritage, Mathematics Education, and Social Justice; Kwame E. Glevey
Chapter 30. Researching, and Learning Mathematics at the Margin: From "Shelter" to School; Renuka Vithal
