Audience
reseachers
Keywords
Student performance, Mathematical mindset, (Mathematically) Gifted child, Student potential, Creative math, Innovative teaching
Author(s)
Boaler, J.
Date
2017
Abstract
Introduction: Mathematics is a beautiful subject, with ideas and connections that can inspire all students. But too often it is taught as a performance subject the role of which, for many, is to separate students into those with the math gene and those without. For mathematics can, on the one hand, be thought of as an incredible lens through which to view the world; an important knowledge, available to all, that empowers young people to think quantitatively about their work and lives and that is equitably available to all students through study and hard work. On the other hand, mathematics can be thought of a subject that separates children into those who can and those who cannot, and that is a valuable sorting mechanism, allowing people to label some children as smart and others as not.