Original Research

Mathematical Literacy: A new literacy or a new mathematics?

Renuka Vithal, Alan J. Bishop
Pythagoras | Issue 64 | a93 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/pythagoras.v0i64.93 | © 2006 Renuka Vithal, Alan J. Bishop | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 19 October 2006 | Published: 20 October 2006

About the author(s)

Renuka Vithal, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Alan J. Bishop, Monash University, Australia

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Abstract

Mathematical Literacy is a ‘hot’ topic at present in most countries, whether it is referred to by that name, or in some cases as Numeracy, or Quantitative Literacy, or Matheracy, or as some part of Ethnomathematics, or related to Mathematics in Society. Questions continue to be asked about what is meant by mathematics in any concept of Mathematical Literacy and the use of the very word ‘Literacy’ in its association with Mathematics has been challenged. Its importance, however, lies in changing our perspective on mathematics teaching, away from the elitism so often associated with much mathematics education, and towards a more equitable, accessible and genuinely educational ideal.

Keywords

Mathematical Literacy;

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