[Maths-Education] Dave Pratt Professorial Lecture March 14th

[David Pratt]

You may be interested in attending an open professorial lecture by Dave Pratt at 5.30pm on March 14th in the Jeffrey Hall at the Institute of Education, University of London, 20 Bedford Way, London WC1H 0AL.
Professor Richard Noss will give a short response. After the lecture, there will be a chance to mingle.
Here is an abstract of the paper on which the presentation will be loosely based. (The paper will be available on the day.)

Making Mathematics Phenomenal

Mathematics is often portrayed as an ‘abstract’ cerebral subject, beyond the reach of many. In response, research with digital technology has led to innovative design in which mathematics can be experienced much like everyday phenomena. In this talk, I will examine how careful design can ‘phenomenalise’ mathematics and support not only engagement but also focus on key ideas.

I will argue that mathematical knowledge gained through interaction with tools designed in this way prioritises the powerful reasons for doing mathematics, imbuing it with a sort of utility and offering learners hooks on which they can gradually develop fluency and connected understanding. Illustrative examples will be taken from conventional topics such as number, algebra, geometry and statistics but also from novel situations where mathematical methods are juxtaposed with social values.

The suggestion that prioritising utility supports a more natural way of learning mathematics emerges directly from constructionist pedagogy and inferentialist philosophy.

I hope to see you on the day.

Dave



________________________________

Dave Pratt
Professor of Mathematics Education
Faculty Director for Research

Institute of Education
University of London
20 Bedford Way, London WC1H 0AL

Tel: +44 (0)207 612 6655
d.pratt at ioe.ac.uk
http://people.ioe.ac.uk/dave_pratt



________________________________

Dave Pratt
Professor of Mathematics Education
Faculty Director for Research

Institute of Education
University of London
20 Bedford Way, London WC1H 0AL

Tel: +44 (0)207 612 6655
d.pratt at ioe.ac.uk
http://people.ioe.ac.uk/dave_pratt