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The Challenge
The world has become increasingly complex and interconnected. Young people need outstanding skills - from analysis to communication to collaboration - to successfully address 21st century challenges. While many complex problems are interdisciplinary in nature and will require breakthrough thinking across disciplines, most schools continue to teach math in a silo – perpetuating a gap between mathematical skill development and real life application beyond "word problems."
From test scores to blue ribbon committees, it is clear that the United States has lost its global competitive advantage in mathematics. Teaching math in isolation affects students at all ability levels. Advanced students, eager and ready to harness and explore the power of mathematics have few opportunities to do so. Struggling students are provided repetitive, piecemeal math lessons that can further alienate them from the subject. While there are educators who would like to reform their programs, there have not been adequate pathways to do, especially engaging options that meet grade-level math standards and requirements.
From test scores to blue ribbon committees, it is clear that the United States has lost its global competitive advantage in mathematics. Teaching math in isolation affects students at all ability levels. Advanced students, eager and ready to harness and explore the power of mathematics have few opportunities to do so. Struggling students are provided repetitive, piecemeal math lessons that can further alienate them from the subject. While there are educators who would like to reform their programs, there have not been adequate pathways to do, especially engaging options that meet grade-level math standards and requirements.
"If you think education is expensive, try ignorance."
The Opportunity
A confluence of trends and developments has created a “perfect storm” for innovation in math education:
● There is now a national set of common core state standards for mathematics that most states have adopted, which means educators are more likely to share curriculum goals and can collaborate more efficiently. The common core math standards require schools to go beyond the traditional mathematics content to incorporate eight core mathematical practices. These practices, which include processes and proficiencies such as communication, connections, strategic competence and a sense that mathematics is “sensible, useful and worthwhile,” are requiring new educational approaches and strategies.
● The plethora of online learning tools now available are not simply more efficient but often better than paper and pencil for many kinds of math learning. New technologies have inspired the development of unprecedented learning opportunities including but not limited to blended-learning approaches, virtual dialogue and debate platforms, educational games and simulations.
● A vibrant and growing open educational resources (OER) movement is democratizing education by making resources freely available to learning communities and learners everywhere. It also creates opportunities for educators to collaborate on unprecedented levels.
● Meanwhile, a burgeoning global education movement is connecting learners all over the world in order to address global challenges and better understand multiple perspectives.
Each one of these developments by themselves is a game-changer; together they create a landscape that makes the mission of MathAction truly possible.
● There is now a national set of common core state standards for mathematics that most states have adopted, which means educators are more likely to share curriculum goals and can collaborate more efficiently. The common core math standards require schools to go beyond the traditional mathematics content to incorporate eight core mathematical practices. These practices, which include processes and proficiencies such as communication, connections, strategic competence and a sense that mathematics is “sensible, useful and worthwhile,” are requiring new educational approaches and strategies.
● The plethora of online learning tools now available are not simply more efficient but often better than paper and pencil for many kinds of math learning. New technologies have inspired the development of unprecedented learning opportunities including but not limited to blended-learning approaches, virtual dialogue and debate platforms, educational games and simulations.
● A vibrant and growing open educational resources (OER) movement is democratizing education by making resources freely available to learning communities and learners everywhere. It also creates opportunities for educators to collaborate on unprecedented levels.
● Meanwhile, a burgeoning global education movement is connecting learners all over the world in order to address global challenges and better understand multiple perspectives.
Each one of these developments by themselves is a game-changer; together they create a landscape that makes the mission of MathAction truly possible.