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Mathematics and the Real World
Author(s) -
Hunter Jennifer,
Turner Irene,
Russell Charlotte,
Trew Karen,
Curry Carol
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
british educational research journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.171
H-Index - 89
eISSN - 1469-3518
pISSN - 0141-1926
DOI - 10.1080/0141192930190102
Subject(s) - everyday life , mathematics education , perception , psychology , primary education , pedagogy , epistemology , philosophy , neuroscience
It has been suggested that perception of mathematics as an academic exercise divorced from reality increases as children progress through school. The present study explores this suggestion with respect to primary school pupils; 144 pupils aged between 6 and 10 years, at four primary schools, were interviewed and asked for examples of everyday uses for familiar mathematical operations. Approximately 60% of suggestions were related to ordinary everyday activities and 30% related to demonstrating or practising mathematical procedures. Patterns of response were not related to age, gender or school. The results suggest that for many children, separation of school mathematics from everyday life starts early in primary school if not before.