Understanding the World Through #Mathematics

Maths helps us understand the world — and we use the world to understand #maths. 1/N

Algebra can explain how quickly water becomes contaminated & how many people in a third-world country drinking that water might become sickened on a yearly basis. A study of geometry can explain the science behind architecture throughout the world. #Mathematics 2/N

Statistics, probability can estimate death tolls from earthquakes, conflicts,other calamities around the world. It can also predict profits, how ideas spread,how previously endangered animals might repopulate. #Maths is a powerful tool for global understanding & communication 3/N

Using it, we can make sense of the world and solve complex and real problems. Rethinking maths in a global context offers us a twist on the typical content that makes the maths itself more applicable and meaningful. #Maths #Edutwitter 4/N

#Maths is often studied as a pure science, but is typically applied to other disciplines, extending well beyond physics & engineering. For instance, studying exponential growth & decay (the rate at which things grow and die) within the context of population growth #edutwitter 5/N

It not only gives students a real-world context in which to use #maths, but helps understand global phenomena;they may hear about a disease spreading in India,but can’t make the connection without understanding how fast something like cholera can spread in a dense population 6/N

In fact, adding a study of growth and decay to lower level algebra – it’s most often found in algebra II – may give more students a chance to study it in the global context than if it’s reserved for the upper level math that not all students take. #edutwitter #Mathematics 7/N

In geometry, for example, Islamic tessellations – shapes arranged in an artistic pattern – might be used as a context to develop, explore, teach and reinforce the important geometric understandings of symmetry and transformations. #Mathematics 8/N

If students are given the right content & context for a globally infused maths curriculum, they’ll be able to make global connections using math, & create a math model that reflects the complexity and interrelatedness of global situations and events. #Mathematics #Edutwitter 9/N

challenge is finding relevant, significant examples of global/cultural contexts that enhance, deepen, illustrate an understanding of #maths. The global era will demand these skills of its citizens. (Centre for Global Education) #Mathematics is VERY important! #edutwitter