UNIVERSITY OF LAGOS
NOTES
ON
STE 711
TEACHING MATHEMATICS
IN SCHOOL
, The Nature of Mathematics at the Secondary School Level
and Implication for its teaching
A discussion of the nature of mathematics would enable the
mathematics teacher to understand the behavior which students
should demonstrate in order to become good mathematicians. It will
also enable the teacher to select appropriate methods of teaching
mathematics effectively.
A review of the activities of mathematicians will show that
mathematics is abstract and demand dedication, concentration and
rigour on the part of students. It is this nature of mathematics which
sometimes creates the false in ression that mathematics are ‘crazy’
people. Mathematics are gifted with high metal powers which they
apply with unusual fervour and persistence in the solution of
mathematical problems. They are able to work for hours or even days,
without any break, in order to obtain solutions to mathematical
problems. Even though some of their solutions are not immediately
applicable to real life, they are often later applied in many facets of
our daily living.
Mathematics is applied in many professions. Engineers and scientists
use mathematics. Mathematics is also used in many subject
disciplines, particularly in the presentation and analysis of data. In real
life, many people need mathematics in order to understand and
interprets events and to solve day-to-day problems.
Since mathematics is so useful in these diverse ways, lessons in
mathematics should be taught to reflect relevant applications.
Such applications will motivate students to learn mathematics and to
develop more favourable attitude to it. Teachers should therefore
discuss applications of the mathematics topics they teach, whenever
possible.
NOTES
ON
STE 711
TEACHING MATHEMATICS
IN SCHOOL
, The Nature of Mathematics at the Secondary School Level
and Implication for its teaching
A discussion of the nature of mathematics would enable the
mathematics teacher to understand the behavior which students
should demonstrate in order to become good mathematicians. It will
also enable the teacher to select appropriate methods of teaching
mathematics effectively.
A review of the activities of mathematicians will show that
mathematics is abstract and demand dedication, concentration and
rigour on the part of students. It is this nature of mathematics which
sometimes creates the false in ression that mathematics are ‘crazy’
people. Mathematics are gifted with high metal powers which they
apply with unusual fervour and persistence in the solution of
mathematical problems. They are able to work for hours or even days,
without any break, in order to obtain solutions to mathematical
problems. Even though some of their solutions are not immediately
applicable to real life, they are often later applied in many facets of
our daily living.
Mathematics is applied in many professions. Engineers and scientists
use mathematics. Mathematics is also used in many subject
disciplines, particularly in the presentation and analysis of data. In real
life, many people need mathematics in order to understand and
interprets events and to solve day-to-day problems.
Since mathematics is so useful in these diverse ways, lessons in
mathematics should be taught to reflect relevant applications.
Such applications will motivate students to learn mathematics and to
develop more favourable attitude to it. Teachers should therefore
discuss applications of the mathematics topics they teach, whenever
possible.
