Abstract / Synopsis
In a 1989 paper, Barbeau states, “Probably no area of human activity is as afflicted as mathematics with a gap between the public perception of its nature and what its practitioners believe it to be.” Decades later, the situation is much the same. With the technical advances in the contemporary world, mathematics affects our day-to-day activities in essential ways such as e-commerce and credit card security. Mathematical problem solving intrinsically requires creative and critical thinking. However, mathematics is often perceived as uninventive, sterile, static, and removed from human needs and culture. This paper describes how mathematicians can own the image of mathematics and partner with students to make it better. Given the right tools and approach, our students’ diverse backgrounds and skill sets allow them to engage with and promote an important aspect of mathematics in positive and interesting ways. We share student comments and feedback to show that this partnership leads to innovative work and a shift in student mindsets.
Recommended Citation
Manmohan Kaur, "Partnering with Students to Create a Positive Image of Mathematics," Journal of Humanistic Mathematics, Volume 16 Issue 1 (January 2026), pages 267-281. . Available at: https://scholarship.claremont.edu/jhm/vol16/iss1/17
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