Open AccessUndergraduate Mathematics Education: Teaching Mathematical Thinking Or Product Of Mathematical Thought?
Author(s) -
Yudariah Mohammad Yusof
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
jurnal teknologi/jurnal teknologi
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2180-3722
pISSN - 0127-9696
DOI - 10.11113/jt.v26.1013
Subject(s) - mathematics education , product (mathematics) , creative thinking , independence (probability theory) , mathematical problem , psychology , mathematics , creativity , social psychology , geometry , statistics
This paper reports on an investigation into students' thinking about mathematics and their mathematical behaviour when faced with a problem. It is found that students perceived mathematics as a fixed body of knowledge to be learned. When solving a problem, students demonstrate little intellectual independence and lack the ability to think for themselves. This is a matter of some concern. The findings indicate that the mathematical environment may not be providing students with the experiences to encourage them to be creative and reflective. It is suggested that mathematicians need to move away from teaching students the product of mathematical thought to teaching them mathematical thinking.