Article,
Didactics of mathematics: more than mathematics and school!
ZDM, 39 (1): 165--171 (2007)
Abstract
In the discipline didactics of mathematics, the didactical triangle of subject–teacher–learner is sometimes too narrowly interpreted by shortening the human side of didactics of mathematics (→ teacher–learner) to teaching and learning in institutionalised settings, especially schools. In his working group of the “Institute for Didactics of Mathematics” (IDM) at Bielefeld University, Hans-Georg Steiner inserted good reasons and strong motivations to analyse technical and vocational mathematics education as well as the vocational and everyday use of mathematics. In doing so, he helped developing research on teaching, learning and use of mathematics outside schools. The text gives a short description of mathematics in technical and vocational education and identifies major issues and problems in this field of mathematics education: realistic modelling, situated mathematics and the hiding of mathematics in black boxes as opposed to a utilitarian reduction of mathematics for the workplace. This implies widening the horizon of Didactics of Mathematic, opening a perspective on the concept of “Bildung” much appreciated by Hans-Georg Steiner.
